Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-07-12

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Encouraged by the indifference of the international community and protected by 40,000 Turkish troops Talatīs regime plans to usurp all the occupied properties of European citizens.

[02] The Platform this Country is Ours criticised the CTP-DP coalition government of selling out occupied Cyprus.

[03] Talat says that Turkey knew but did not approve the proposal for returning Varosha to the Greek Cypriots in return for the lifting of the so-called embargo on the Turkish Cypriots.

[04] Turkish opposition leader on the signing by Turkey of the Ankara Protocol.

[05] The Businessmenīs Association asks Talat to work for the separation of the EU regulations regarding the Turkish Cypriots.

[06] Rumours that only persons who were born in Turkey will be employed in the new illegal Middle East Technical University.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Turkish businessmen appear divided on the timing of forming the party-alternative to the ruling JDP.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Encouraged by the indifference of the international community and protected by 40,000 Turkish troops Talatīs regime plans to usurp all the occupied properties of European citizens

According to HALKIN SESI, Mr Deniz was briefed by officials on the investment sites in the coastal strip of Ayia Eirini, and made statements to the press at occupied Morphou where he meet with the so-called Mayor. And the paper goes on: After the meetings, briefing the press on his inspections the `Minister of Tourism and Economyī Deniz pointed out that the region is facing economic development problems following the Annan Plan and because of this prospective investors were not investing.

Mr Deniz further said that Morphou region is one of the most beautiful places of the `TRNCī from the point of view of the nature, for this reason it is necessary to offer the people in the region economic activity and in this framework the investment plan prepared and decided from before for the Ayia Eirini Syrianochori coastal line is going ahead.

After Morphou the occupation regimeīs so-called Minister went to occupied Karavostassi where he inspected the site where Cyprus Mining corporation used to dispose of metal when it was operating before 1974.

[02] The Platform this Country is Ours criticised the CTP-DP coalition government of selling out occupied Cyprus

AFRIKA notes that the Platform started to accuse the Talat-RTP administration for the same things that in the past accused the Denktas National Unity Party (NUP) administration.

The Platform accused the pseudogovernment for selling out everything and that it led to the closing of the Sanayi (Industry) Holding and the Tourist Enterprises in occupied Cyprus. According to the Platform this Country is Ours, the so-called Talat government is selling out services regarding the municipalities, electricity, telecommunication and health.

And perhaps the most important, our environment, our shores and our nature. Everything that belongs to the Turkish Cypriot people, AFRIKA notes.

[03] Talat says that Turkey knew but did not approve the proposal for returning Varosha to the Greek Cypriots in return for the lifting of the so-called embargo on the Turkish Cypriots

In exclusive statements to the paper, Mr Talat noted that it was not the first time that the issue had been discussed, that it came onto the agenda during meetings the Greek ambassador in Luxembourg had and that the minutes of these meetings have been shared with Turkey. Mr Talat said that some openings by the Turkish Cypriot side came onto the agenda during these meetings, aiming at forcing the Greek Cypriot side to get into action.

Mr Talat added: We have proposed to give Varosha to the Greek Cypriot administration and in return we asked for everything except recognition. We asked for the decision regarding the Famagusta port and the Tymbou airport being closed to be withdrawn for ever. We asked for the lifting of the isolations and the cultural and sport embargoes. Turkey was informed about these proposals, but it is true that we did not have its approval. It was not said it can be done, but at the same time it was not said it cannot be done. In any case, if our proposal had been accepted, there would be a negotiations process before putting it into practice. The details would be discussed.

It is not right to accept as lie or wrong everything that former President Denktas said. It is true that the great majority of the land of Varosha belongs to the Evkaf (religious foundation). We have investigated this and saw it. The registries of the title deeds of Varosha, which had been stolen from the Famagusta Department of Land and Surveys, were found in 1974 in the store of a hotel in Varosha. Furthermore, during the Ottoman period three separate papers were kept for all the properties, one of which is in Turkey. As it is understood from this, more than 95 % of Varosha is Evkaf property. Now, you could say how can you propose to give to the Greek Cypriot administration a property that belongs to Evkaf? We have not proposed to give the proprietorship of Varosha. We only proposed to give its control to the Greek Cypriot administration. And in return we asked for the end of the isolations. .

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Mr Talat alleged that the Turkish Cypriots did their duty and that the world knows now that they are not following a separatist policy. Therefore, the UN Security Council should revise its decision regarding Cyprus, he claimed.

Mr Talat also said: To tell the truth the solution will take time, but there is a hopeful future for us. We are not the reason for the continuation of the non-solution. When the Greek Cypriot side lives the process and the pressure we lived, then they will come to the road of the solution. At present, the Greek Cypriot side is under pressure. They will not endure this pressure for long. Russia has a very important role in this process. Russia is uncomfortable because of the fact that it is perceived as supporter of the Greek Cypriots. ....

[04] Turkish opposition leader on the signing by Turkey of the Ankara Protocol

When asked how the signing of the additional protocol could affect the Cyprus cause, Agar replied: When you sign the additional protocol you recognize the Republic of Cyprus and this issue which until now is handled on the UN platform will be transferred to the EU. This is the result of the signing of the protocol. No one could explain otherwise. If this government wants to embrace this important risk, then let it take that risk. However, it can not take that risk with this state of affairs it is in. Immediately a special summit should be demanded and Turkeys future rights should be guaranteed. If the government has given up Cyprus then it should go to the nation and ask the nation whether it has given up or not? If Turkey gives up these rights now, no one knows the scale of the future demands that Turkey will come face to face with. Turkey is a serious state. Turkey is greater than the Justice and Development Party administration.

[05] The Businessmenīs Association asks Talat to work for the separation of the EU regulations regarding the Turkish Cypriots

The letter signed by the chairman of the association, Mr Ozalp Nailer, notes that the Turkish Cypriot businessmen demand the effective use of the Financial Aid Regulation by making more flexible its provisions instead of insisting on its getting into force together with the Direct Trade Regulation and the application of the Financial Aid Regulation with a more broad in scope decision that will have as subject the lifting of the isolations and the free trade as an alternative to the Direct Trade Regulation.

[06] Rumours that only persons who were born in Turkey will be employed in the new illegal Middle East Technical University

As the paper writes, thirty organisations of the occupied Morphou district are uneasy because of allegations that only persons who were born in Turkey will be taken for employment at the campus of the new illegal university and that a list with names has already been prepared.

The organisations issued a statement in which they stated, inter alia, that in case these allegations are true they cannot accept the application of this decision, which, as they noted, is a clear discrimination.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Turkish businessmen appear divided on the timing of forming the party-alternative to the ruling JDP

There are two views on when best to establish a party bringing together Hisarciklioglu, Bayar and Oztrak. Some believe the party should be formed as soon as possible, as it should take an active role in the debates that will rise in the aftermath of October 3, as snap polls will be inevitable. The rest says that elections should be delayed as long as possible, as the JDP will continue to make mistakes

The businessmen's club TUSIAD [Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen] is disturbed by the high possibility of the TOBB [Turkish Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges] playing an active role representing small and middle-sized enterprises in Turkey's EU drive. The group of elite, rich businessmen of Istanbul prefer to believe that in the aftermath of October 3 the country will be focused on the EU again, leading to falling political tension and leaving no room for snap polls. The majority, though, call this wishful thinking

Here's the picture: Turkey is having a hard time in its European Union drive. There's a key majority that believe Turkey should suspend its EU bid, and there are those who are almost certain that given the current ruling Justice and Development (JDP) is incapable of carrying out this heavy and important burden and that Turkey's EU bid will be suspended anyhow.

In light of this, all agree that a brand new liberal party capable of carrying out EU relations without a hitch should be formed.

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu, former Treasury Secretary Faik Oztrak (who worked closely with Kemal Dervis), and former Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) and True Path Party (TPP) Deputy Chairman Mehmet Ali Bayar are expected to get together under the umbrella of this "dream" party.

Both Bayar and Hisarciklioglu have been mentioned as possible future leaders of the country, while Oztrak is believed to be replacing Dervis, who recently became the administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

It has been expected that TOBB would naturally have a leading role in the future of the country as economic issues dominate the chapters to be discussed with the EU after Turkey's accession talks start on October 3.

But there is more than that, as the members of TOBB are the owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that generally vote for center-right parties. Its well-organized structure keeping the pulse of the Anatolian people is a golden opportunity for the start of a new political party.

The establishment of the party will begin in accordance with Turkey's decision to go or not to go to snap polls.

There are two main differing views on the establishment of such a party that will gather these three names under its umbrella. Some believe the party should be formed as soon as possible and should take an active role in the debates that will rise in the aftermath of October 3. These circles also believe that the opposition Republican People's Party (RPP) recently started carrying out a more active role in the opposition, a move which they see as a signal that snap polls are inevitable in the fall.

The rest say that elections should be delayed as long as possible, as the JDP will continue to make mistakes. They believe that if the JDP goes for snap polls before the end of this year, it will result in another victory for the ruling party.

Subtitle: TUSIAD opposes

Meanwhile, Turkey's most powerful business club, the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), is highly disturbed about the likelihood that TOBB will play an active role in representing SMEs in Turkey's EU drive. The elite and incredibly rich businessmen of Istanbul prefer to believe that in the aftermath of October 3, the country will be focused on the EU again, leading to falling tension in domestic politics and leaving no room for snap polls.

TUSIAD also believes that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will nominate a moderate candidate for the 2007 presidential elections rather than running himself. They say this will help Turkey go to scheduled elections smoothly. The majority, however, dismiss this as wishful thinking.

But both debates in the JDP and the EU's own problems have contributed to upsetting Turkey's balance, leaving very little room for such wishful thinking in Turkey.

/SK

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