Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-07-01

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Upto three years imprisonment for Greek Cypriots and foreigners who bring notifications to `TRNC´ citizens.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader has begun a policy for a new era.

[03] While the revenue from the unhindered sale of usurped Greek Cypriot properties is billions of pounds sterling Talat explains why the Turkish side prevented the aid of 259 million Euros from the EU.

[04] New measures for the Maronites.

[05] President of Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan is ready to do what is necessary on the Cyprus issue.

[06] Gul stresses that Turkey has made no concessions at all in Cyprus. Interview to SABAH newspaper.

[07] OIC Ministers approve Turkey's draft resolutions on Cyprus, Western Thrace.

[08] The implementation of a so-called law shows that more than 25 thousand Turkish citizens work in occupied Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Letter by British buyers of property in occupied Cyprus shows the mess created by the occupation regime´s rush to create new faits accomplis.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Upto three years imprisonment for Greek Cypriots and foreigners who bring notifications to `TRNC´ citizens

A draft-law has been prepared which makes punishable the bringing notification to `TRNC´ citizens by foreigners regarding decisions of foreign or Greek Cypriot courts. According to the draft-law, which has been published in the official gazette after being approved by the Council of Ministers and which will be going into effect after its approval in the Republican Assembly, giving notification to `TRNC´ citizens regarding decisions of foreign courts without taking the permission of the `TRNC´ authorities will be regarded invalid. And those who gave out these notifications will be committing a crime. According to the draft-law, foreigners who act as judicial or executive officials and persons who give notifications regarding a decision of a foreign court on the immovable properties and regarding transactions of courts in Southern Cyprus, without taking the necessary permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be regarded as having committed a crime and might be punished with imprisonment upto three years.

Commenting on the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (01.07.05) writes that the fact that those who, in the beginning regarded that these notifications are in our favour and said that the Greek Cypriots will fall into the hole they themselves dug, recourse now to these means has caused amazement.

The paper argues that the pseudogovernment is confused and does not know what it is doing. First they say take these notifications and definitely go to the court and announce that they will give a legal struggle, notes AFRIKA, and afterwards they changed their decision 100 % and they will be punishing those who hand over the notifications.

The paper urges the Greek Cypriots who have court notifications to serve to go ahead, because if they are put in prison Turkey will pay the price for it.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader has begun a policy for a new era

Referring to this issue, Mr Talat sent a letter to the Presidents and Prime Ministers of the EU state-members, to the President of the EU Commission Jose Manuel Barosso, the General-Secretary of the EU Council Javier Solana and to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, noting that the Zurich-London Agreements of 1959-60 are not a legal or moral justification, in order for the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives to ratify the EU Constitution under the name of the Republic of Cyprus and for all the decisions they should have undoubtedly the approval of the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Talat also said: The ratification of the EU Constitution by the Greek Cypriot Administration, which behaves like the government of the Republic of Cyprus, is not binding for the Turkish Cypriots and they will have a separate one. I want to stress again the commitment of the Turkish Cypriots to the unification and to the EU membership.

On the same issue, local paper KIBRISLI (01.07.05), under the title Talat has lashed out! and the subtitle The policy of the new period has begun!, reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, in his letter, warned the EU that the Greek Cypriots are not the legal government of the Turkish Cypriots and for this reason they should not ask for permission from the Greek Cypriots for issues concerning the Turkish Cypriots.

[03] While the revenue from the unhindered sale of usurped Greek Cypriot properties is billions of pounds sterling Talat explains why the Turkish side prevented the aid of 259 million Euros from the EU

President Mehmet Ali Talat wishes to assure the people of `TRNC´ that they must be patient a little while longer, and that despite the lack of desired changes, their desires will be realized. He also believes that Turkish Cypriots must accept the possibility that 259 million Euros worth of financial assistance offered by the European Union may be lost because of his refusal to accept the funds without implementing direct trade relations.

In further developments from Luxembourg, a proposal by the EU president, envisaging the separation of the two EU regulations drawn up to assist North Cyprus economy, has been rejected in line with the Turkish Cypriot side´s wishes.

The Regulation for Financial Assistance and the Regulation for direct Trade were prepared by the EU commission to help alleviate the economic isolation of North Cyprus. The `TRNC´ refuses to accept the 259 million Euros worth of financial assistance offered by the European Union, insisting that the Direct Trade regulation should be put into practice simultaneously.

The `TRNC´ government says that the Financial Assistance Regulation alone will not be as effective without Direct Trade regulation also going into force. The proposal for the two regulations to be separated came from Luxembourg which holds the EU´s term presidency.

A working session in Brussels of the representatives of member nations, was presented the proposal, but with Britain, Germany, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Portugal opposing it, the proposal was rejected, according to the wishes of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´.

In the meantime, President Mehmet Ali Talat has written to Luxembourg´s minister for European Affairs Nicholas Schmit, reminding him of the Turkish Cypriot side´s ongoing efforts to help bring about a solution to the Cyprus problem. The President renewed the Turkish Cypriot side´s opposition to the idea of separating the two regulations. In his letter, Talat said the Turkish Cypriot side wants the implementation of the 259 million Euros worth of economic assistance, at least to be related to the Free Trade Regulation.

[04] New measures for the Maronites

Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas is completing a package of measures for the Maronite village that permits all refugees from Kormakitis may be allowed to return as permanent residents rather than limited to restricted visits in the village. The new policy allows the Maronites the right to live in Kormakitis without added obligations and without discrimination. This decision is expected to be published in the official gazette next week on 4 July, the date on which the new measure is expected to come into force. The announcement will stipulate that Maronite residents of the village wishing to remain permanently in the village will be able to do so without restrictions concerning their residence, movement or property rights.

Also according to the report, the Maronites who decide to return will not be asked to denounce citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus or required to become `TRNC´ citizens, but will be allowed to use their properties as they wish-to rent, cultivate or sell.

If selling property to foreigners, but not Greek Cypriots, they can sell up to one donum of land after receiving approval from the `Kyrenia District Office´.

It is also believed that permission has been granted to conduct a service at the church of Ayia Marina on 17 July, the name-day Ayia Saint Marina. It is the first time since 1974, that Maronites will be allowed to attend.

[05] President of Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan is ready to do what is necessary on the Cyprus issue

Azerbaijani President Aliyev said regional and international relations, as well as the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan were discussed at the meeting.

Reminding the support Turkey extended to Azerbaijan on the "Upper Karabakh" problem experienced between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Aliyev said: "We favor solution of the question within the framework of international law. More than one million people were forced to abandon their own territories."

Aliyev emphasized that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline was one of the biggest energy investments of the world, noting that the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline project would have important contributions to the development of the region and the two countries.

On his part Mr Erdogan said the two countries would exert efforts from now on to further improve relations on the basis of the understanding of "two states, one nation".

Mr Erdogan said the policies of Turkey and Azerbaijan on the Cyprus issue were parallel to each other, stating that Aliyev gave good news about the Cyprus issue.

Erdogan said Azerbaijani businessmen would make investments and have charter flights to TRNC, (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus).

Mentioning the Upper Karabakh problem, Erdogan said Turkey shared the same views with Azerbaijan on this issue: "We favor solution," Erdogan noted.

When asked what kind of concrete steps would be taken by Azerbaijan to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, Aliyev said: "Charter flights to `TRNC´ will start and Azerbaijani companies will open offices there. Isolation of Turkish Cypriots should end, and Azerbaijan is determined to do its best to end their isolation in consultation with Turkey."

When an Azerbaijani journalist asked if the EU urged Turkey to open its Armenian border, Prime Minister Erdogan said: "There is no such thing among the Copenhagen political criteria. No such thing can be imposed on Turkey. Turkey fulfilled the things asked from it. The things stated in the negotiating roadmap for Turkey are in parallel with the decisions of December 17th Summit and the accession talks will start on October 3rd."

Turkish Cypriot KIBRISLI newspaper (01.07.05) reports that in statements made in Istanbul the Consul of Azerbaijan Mr Ibrahim Nabioglu said that his country will accept the passports issued by the TRNC.

Azerbaijan recognizes the passports of Northern Cyprus and wishes the development of relations, he said.

[06] Gul stresses that Turkey has made no concessions at all in Cyprus. Interview to SABAH newspaper

Following are Mr Gul´s replies to questions:

Question: There is a widespread public impression that we are making too many concessions to enter the EU without receiving anything in return. What do you think?

Answer: This is what everyone thinks. They think that we are always giving something and that we do not receive anything. That is very wrong thinking. The truth is that Turkey has not given anything to the EU. Everything we have done has been for the Turkish people.

Question I suppose you are referring to the [adaptation] laws. Among the concessions there is, for example, the Cyprus issue.

Answer: What concessions? Did we give up a single square meter of land in Cyprus? What have we given for God's sake? I think those who criticize us do not see the real situation in Cyprus. For the first time a UN-sponsored referendum was held on the island. There are two separate communities there: the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. The whole world saw that the Greek Cypriots do not want to reach a compromise. One wishes that these initiatives were taken much earlier so that perhaps the Greek Cypriot sector could not even join the EU.

Question Do you really say this believing it?

Answer: Certainly. We have achieved major gains in Cyprus. Commercial delegations have begun to travel to the island. Serdar Denktas tours the whole world. He is received by everyone in the countries he visits.

Question: However they do not recognize [occupied Cyprus] as a state.

Answer: In the past even such visits could not occur. There was complete isolation. Now things have begun to relax a little. Also I ask those who argue that we always give without getting anything: Are not the laws we have enacted to meet the political criteria important? In other words will we have to rescind these reform packages if we cut our relations with the EU?

Question: In other words the EU speeded up what needed to be done a long time ago.

Answer: Yes I must admit that it speeded it up. We were able to give to the Turkish people what we could not give until now. We created an environment where there is more democracy, more freedom, more supremacy of the law, and more guarantees for basic rights and freedoms for individuals. The EU served as the driving force behind the realization of these goals.

Question: You are saying that we are not making any concessions and that we are gaining important advantages. In any event no one is objecting to the reforms.

Answer: Then look at the interest rates. In the past interest rates stood at 24 percent. Now they are running at around 16 percent.

Question: Are you referring to the interest we pay on our debts?

Answer: Yes. In the past Turkey could borrow only at very high interest rates. Now that situation has changed. These are all consequences of the negotiations that are getting under way with the EU. In the eyes of large financing organizations Turkey has the status of a country that is negotiating with the EU. Our country's economic and political status changed in the eyes of the world after 17 December because Turkey has become a predictable country. Lenders can see that the future is safer. Also the value of private companies surged after 17 December. The value of state-owned properties increased. The value of real estate rose.

Can you imagine? They offered $3 billion for Yesilkoy Airport. If we were not a reliable country this figure could have been as low as $1 billion. Here is another example. We invited bids for the contract for the technical inspection of vehicles. We expected bids for $200 million but we received $620 million for the contract. This is happening because investors now see a future. In the past private banks could not find any buyers. Now they are concerned about the price at which they should sell. Garanti Bankasi is one example. In the past it had no buyers, but now the situation is different.

Question: Then why is there a negative climate?

Answer: Unfortunately the adversities that Turkey experienced for many years have made us pessimistic. We have not been able to free ourselves of that. Sometimes we do not believe in a bright future.

Question: There are also negative thinkers in Europe. These are people who will play a significant role in the EU's future. For example Merkel, Sarkozy .

Answer: All that is normal. We must also realize that we do not have a smooth path ahead of us. There will be ups and downs. We will encounter difficulties.

Question: What do you plan to do about the Armenian question?

Answer: That issue has two components. One component is the so-called genocide. We have already expressed our defiance on this absolutely untrue charge that can never be accepted. Our position is clear. The second component is the development of relations with Armenia. We are already a country that recognizes Armenia. We do not have very strong diplomatic ties but we will do everything we can to develop them.

Question: The EU is closely interested in the improvement of our relations with our neighbors.

Answer: It is because if we become an EU member after the end of the accession talks Turkey will be the EU's border. Consequently the EU will become neighbors with Armenia. For that reason it is very natural that they are interested closely in this issue. From that perspective Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Georgia are also in this picture.

Question: What do you think about Tony Blair's remarks that a EU without Turkey would lead to nationalism and xenophobia?

Answer: I agree with them. Nationalism in Europe is not like what we have here. It borders on racism. The Europeans know about the horrors of racism better than we do. Consequently I think that this warning is justified. These inclinations exist in some European countries and this is extremely dangerous for Europe's future. Such things do not happen here. Occasionally and depending on circumstances one may find circles that are hostile to foreigners here but these never last too long.

Question: In other words is everything a rose garden on the EU issue?

Answer: Everything is going well. That does not mean that there are no problems. We will see ups and downs but we must remain resolute.

[07] OIC Ministers approve Turkey's draft resolutions on Cyprus, Western Thrace

The draft on Cyprus is a follow-up of a decision taken at OIC's summit in Istanbul last year. In the previous resolution, OIC members were encouraged to establish commercial and cultural ties with Turkish Cypriots.

This year's resolution calls OIC members to provide periodical reports to the Secretary General's office on the implementation of the decision taken last year. The resolution also asks the Secretary General to cooperate with the Islamic Development Bank to support projects in northern Cyprus and makes a call to the international community to help end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.

The draft resolution extends an invitation to OIC members to make high level visits to the Turkish Cypriot state and encourages OIC states to establish ties with Turkish Cypriots in areas such as transportation, commerce, tourism, culture, information and sports.

According to the resolution, Turkish Cypriots will be able to attend meetings of the OIC as the "Government of Turkish Cypriots."

In a separate resolution approved at the OIC Foreign Ministers' Conference, the harassment of muftis in Xanthi and Komotini (Greece) by local authorities has been condemned.

The second resolution made a call to let the Muslim Turkish minority in Western Thrace elect its own representatives. This resolution also protested the Greek Court's decision to stop the activities of Xanthi Turkish Union due to the use of the word "Turkish." As part of this resolution, the OIC Secretary General's office has been requested to prepare a report on the status of mosques and tombs of Muslims in Western Thrace.

Meanwhile, Russia's application to become an observer state in the OIC has been accepted.

In response to the draft resolution on Cyprus, the so-called Foreign Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas has remarked that it is pleasing to see a stronger support in the OIC for Turkish Cypriots.

"Turkey is a big country and we appreciate Turkey's support," said Denktas. Denktas added that the lobbying efforts of Greek Cypriots in Sanaa during the past 3-4 days has resulted in failure.

[08] The implementation of a so-called law shows that more than 25 thousand Turkish citizens work in occupied Cyprus

According to this law the illegal workers from Turkey who enter the pseudostate, prior to the 1st of January 2005, showing only their identity card and continue to stay there without being registered, will pay fine equal to two minimum salaries. Under this law the persons who enter the pseudostate for employment reasons must show their passports and not their ID cards. The paper writes that the six months period given for the persons to know the law has ended yesterday and fines will be paid on the part of the workers and the persons who employ them.

Speaking to the illegal TAK news agency, the ministry of interior of the pseudostate Mr Ozkan Murat, stated that about 25 thousand persons have been registered as a result of this law and that he estimates that the total number of the workers is 30 thousands.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Letter by British buyers of property in occupied Cyprus shows the mess created by the occupation regime´s rush to create new faits accomplisUnder the title Open Letter Turkish Cypriot CYPRUS TIMES newspaper (01.07.05) publishes the following letter addressed to Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Mr Huseyin Ozel, of the occupation regime´s Public Information Office:

We, as named below entered into a legal contract to each purchase a house and land with Bulent Unar & Sons Construction Ltd. All our individual contracts were agreed, stamped and signed in the presence of our respective solicitors. We each paid in stages, as our contracts stipulated, and have receipts for these payments. We have all paid the full amount for our houses, although in many cases the agreed projects were not completed e.g. electricity connection, boundary walls, roads, pavements and driveways. These had to be finished at our own additional expense.

We all now live in our houses, most of us having been in residence between two and three years. We have each asked Bulent Unar for our Title Deeds, but on every occasion have been given absurd excuses as to why he would not transfer the Title Deeds to us. Consequently we approached our solicitors, and discovered that Bulent Unar had committed fraud by breaking the terms and agreements of our contracts. He had raised mortgages on the land that some of our houses are built on and had built some of our houses on land he did not own. We also discovered that he was in considerable debt to a moneylender, and that many court judgements had been raised against him. We approached our solicitors to take appropriate action.

In August 2004 Bulent Unar died, leaving his two sons in charge of the company.

We have been in this situation for nearly three years, under the constant threat of losing our houses despite having paid for them. In addition, we are being harassed for substantial amounts of money we do not have, by the moneylender, and see no reason why we should pay him. We have also been approached by one of the creditors who told us that the moneylender wanted to buy his dept. The person accompanying him stated that a court hearing had just occurred and the houses belonging to Mr Smith and Mr Broomfield were being put up for auction within the next few days. This was found to be untrue and the matter was reported to the police, but has caused even more anguish and worry.

We have adopted Northern Cyprus as our home. We do not have other homes in UK and the reality of evictions will result in a large number of us becoming homeless and destitute. How can the Government allow this to occur? Some of us fought during the conflicts here or had relatives who fought and in some cases died here. We feel the situation we have been forced into is completely unjust. We have many Turkish Cypriot friends who consider this a scandal needing a resolution by Government intervention as speedily as possible.

This is our appeal for our basic human rights to buy our houses and live in peace and security in them as the legal owners. We are all decent reasonable people in trouble because of a fraudulent builder, and all we ask for is your help to overcome these issues and end our troubles by ruling that the financial demands being made against us are both fraudulent and illegal.

You may have received individual letters concerning this situation, but we now wish to be recognised as a group.

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

D & A Jolly, D & C Larter, D & C Craig,

J & C Varley, D & L Barlow, G Stratford,

B & M Graves, A & J Smith, J & C Boyce,

R & J Shippen, T & C Holbrook, M & L Delaney.

(all of Ozankoy)

/SK

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article