Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-08-12

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan continues to speak about promises by the EU to Turkey and tries to blame others for Turkey´s crimes against Cyprus.

[02] Ali Babacan assesses Turkey´s EU course.

[03] Fifty percent of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Airlines to belong to the Island Aviation firm.

[04] Syrian national arrested in Turkey admits plan to blow up Israeli ships.

[05] HURRIYET gives details about Turkish investments in the occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops part of the Republic of Cyprus. British investments are taken as indirect recognition.

[06] Turkish Cypriot archaeologist explains the findings of excavations at occupied Akanthou.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] AFRIKA: One day you will march again to the Palace.

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist assesses the fact that Jews buy Greek Cypriot properties which are under Turkish occupation.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan continues to speak about promises by the EU to Turkey and tries to blame others for Turkey´s crimes against Cyprus

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that the EU should keep its promise to Turkey regarding its EU bid.

Addressing a Justice and Development Party (JDP) meeting in western Izmir city, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the main opposition party (Republican People's Party-RPP) which had earlier supported government's EU bid, recently assumed a negative stance.

"We are determined in our EU bid," said Erdogan, adding that "we took important steps to increase our people's standards of living. We took very important steps in freedom of thought and right to assemble. We will continue walking on our path and we want fair treatment from EU" "If the EU demands other things than the Copenhagen criteria from us, we will still continue our path calling those criteria the Ankara Criteria. EU should keep its promise, because we kept our promise. And they told us that there is nothing left before the negotiation table.

If they come up with other things, we won't accept," said Erdogan.

The EU can't ask for other things about the Cyprus issue, said Erdogan, adding that "we did what was necessary also in Cyprus. Turkey did its best about the Annan plan and the referendum on April 24th, 2004. EU admitted the side in Cyprus which didn't want peace, and it accused the side which sought for peace. We want settlement of the Cyprus issue under the supervision of UN. Yet the isolation of Turkish Cypriots should end, there can be no cruelty in any other part of the world like that."

[02] Ali Babacan assesses Turkey´s EU course

"Turkey does not have any problem about EU membership and economic developments and we will continue doing our job with determination," said Turkish State Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan.

Speaking on private NTV television on Thursday, Babacan assessed EU and negotiation process.

When asked whether EU entry talks with Turkey would start on October 3rd, Babacan said, "there is no technical and legal obstacle in front of the date of October 3rd. In political terms, 25 countries should say 'yes' for three times to 35 negotiation chapters. EU is based on confidence. 25 countries including Greek Cypriot administration decided that entry talks will start with Turkey on October 3rd, and they confirmed their decision at the summit in June."

"Our teams have started high-level informative tour of EU capitals. They are explaining Turkey's views about adjustment protocol, declaration and negotiation process," he added.

Babacan said, "the European Commission stated that Turkey fulfilled all conditions and entry talks should start on October 3rd.

Also, many international jurists stated that signing of (Customs Union) additional protocol by Turkey does not mean recognition of Greek Cypriot administration."

Upon a question about opening of ports to Greek Cypriots, Babacan said, "ports are operated by services sector. Although we recorded an important progress with the EU about free movement of goods, talks have not started yet on free movement of services."

"As Turkey expressed in the declaration, it is ready to recognize Greek Cypriot administration. But Turkey can do this after a solution led by the UN is found in the island. Despite Turkey's efforts for solution, it is unfair and unreasonable to put pressure on Turkey for solution," said Babacan.

He said, "we have been working on screening process for the past 2 months. We measure difficulties of talks. One of these difficulties is regulations. Agriculture regulation constitutes 60 percent of the acquis. It is necessary to establish new institutions like rural development agency. It is necessary to make investments worth of billions of USD in areas like environment. Thus, talks continue for a long time. We plan to start with chapters like education, culture, science, research and statistics which require less regulations."

[03] Fifty percent of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Airlines to belong to the Island Aviation firm

The Head of the pseudostate´s delegation the so-called Finance Minister Ahmet Uzun announced that the bargaining process has ended and that the sale of the shares will be made after the approval of the decision by the High Council of the Turkish Privatisation and other relevant institutions.

We have fulfilled our promise to the people and we have been enjoying the rightful honour of this he added.

[04] Syrian national arrested in Turkey admits plan to blow up Israeli ships

The lawyer of Luia Sakra, a Syrian national who was arrested yesterday in connection with the terrorist attacks staged in Istanbul in 2003, said that 750 kilograms of explosives have been seized [in Antalya].

According to a report from the Dogan News Agency, Osman Kara, the lawyer of Luia Sakra, who is the representative of the terrorist organization Al-Qa'ida in Turkey, said that his client has admitted that he was preparing to stage attacks against Israeli ships.

Sakra, who is charged with supplying and manufacturing the bombs that were used in the explosions that killed 62 people in Istanbul on 15 and 20 November 2003, was sent to the Istanbul Court House.

Sakra was caught in a raid staged in Diyarbakir yesterday and was brought to Istanbul. He was taken to the Istanbul Court House in Besiktas in an armored vehicle.

The suspect entered the building under heavy security. Sakra's lawyer, Osman Kara, said: "In the Antalya raid 750 kilograms of explosives were seized. My client has admitted that these explosives belong to him. He was planning to attack Israeli ships in international waters with these explosives."

Stating that Sakra also bought a yacht for this purpose, Kara said: "Sakra's objective was to blow up Israeli ships in the Mediterranean without causing any harm to Turkey."

Sakra himself said as he was being taken back to the detention center after undergoing a health checkup: "Turks would not be harmed. Only and only the Israelis [would be harmed]."

Sakra, a Syrian national who was caught at Diyarbakir Airport five days ago, is reportedly the Al-Qa'ida representative in Turkey.

Sakra, who was using the false name Erkan Ozer, reportedly received the order to stage the Istanbul attacks from Zarqawi, the Al-Qa'ida representative in Iraq.

Hamid Obiysi, another Syrian national, was also detained as part of the same operation and is charged with being a courier. Obiysi has been brought to Istanbul and placed under arrest.

Attacks were staged against the Neve Shalom synagogue in Sishane and the Beth Israel synagogue in Istanbul on 15 November 2003.

Five days after these attacks the headquarters of the HSBC bank in Levent and the British Consulate General in Istanbul became the targets of attacks by the same group. A total of 62 persons lost their lives in the said attacks.

[05] HURRIYET gives details about Turkish investments in the occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops part of the Republic of Cyprus. British investments are taken as indirect recognition

An upsurge in tourism investments is being seen in the TRNC [occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus]. With the completion of 66 hotels still being built the bed capacity in the TRNC will rise from 8,000 to 19,500. While investment has been attracted to Bafra [occupied Vokolidha], which has been declared a tourism investment area, there are other locations where holiday resorts are being constructed rapidly such as Girne [occupied Kyrenia], Magusa [occupied Famagusta] and Iskele [occupied Trikomo]. With new investment in the TRNC bed capacity is expected to rise to 30,000 in five years, and to 70,000 in 30 years.

Subtitle: Bafra (occupied Vokolidha) to get $250 million

The Director for the TRNC Tourism Ministry Salih Egemen gave out the following information in connection with the upsurge in tourism investment in the TRNC: "Bafra was declared a planned tourism investment area. Sites were set aside in the area for 11 hotels. One was allocated as a State reserve. Lease agreements have been made for nine hotels. Preliminary work has been done for the Eren Talu Project. With these investments in Bafra, which total around $250 million, the area will achieve an 8,000-bed capacity in two years."

Stating that they were going to make plans for Yayla [occupied Syrianokhori], Egemen said: "In the wake of the intense interest seen in Vokolidha we planned to make this place a tourism investment area as well. We are going to open Kumkyali (occupied Koma tou Yialou) up to investment."

In a once only offer the TKB's [Turkish Development Bank] provision of credit for tourism investment in Cyprus has accelerated investment in Vokolidha. At the end of 2002 22 companies applied for credit. The TKB gave YTL 105 million to eight companies.

Subtitle: Spearhead Port Barbaros

Cyprus-born businesswoman Sidika Atalay, who transferred the $100 million Port Barbaros Project, one of the TRNC's biggest tourism investment schemes, over to the British LTG Company, said: "This project, which we started in 1999, spearheaded tourism investment in northern Cyprus. This is a project that will set an example for the entire Mediterranean. We transferred the project over to the British LTG Company in March. It is now the largest foreign investment to be made there. This investment also means that the TRNC is recognized, albeit unofficially."

Subtitle: Threat from South causing worries

Sidika Atalay has this to say about the threat from the south and France's attitude: "Foreigners are buying property on Cyprus. These kinds of remarks cause some concern but it passes and purchases continue. Direct flights are what is going to have the greatest effect on TRNC tourism. These kinds of statements strengthen the likelihood of there being no direct flights to the TRNC. Even though foreign investment research is continuing any investment about to begin is put off indefinitely because of such remarks. Direct flights from Azerbaijan caused excitement on the island."

Subtitle. Tourism In TRNC may catch up with Southern Cyprus in 10-15 years

The Chairman of the Association of Tourism Investors Oktay Varlier pointed out there was a good potential for tourism in northern Cyprus saying: "Cyprus is virgin land. It could become a very important tourism destination. Various locations have been identified in Bafra. Significant investment is being done there." Recalling that southern Cyprus had a 110,000 bed capacity and hosted 3 million tourists every year Varlier said: "The tourism bed capacity in northern Cyprus is approximately 8-12,000. We get around 400,000 tourists. A large number of those are Turks who go there for the casinos. The TRNC has about one tenth the bed capacity of southern Cyprus. As for the number of tourists; the south gets seven-eight times more than the north. Within five years the bed capacity in the TRNC will reach 25-30,000. In the long term it will be 70,000 in 30 years."

Subtitle: Important potential even with embargo In place

CEO of GOCTUR, which has begun a 1,050-bed capacity investment in Bafra at the cost of $35 million, Mustafa Gocen detailed investment in the TRNC: "This investment will take place in two stages. The first stage of 700 beds will be concluded at a cost of $28 million. With the second phase the entire project will cost $35 million. We began the project in September 2004 with credit from the TKB. Bank credit accounts for 60 percent of the investment, with the remainder coming out of our own pocket. Expectations for Cyprus have attracted major tourism companies there. However, there is nowhere for tourists to stay in the TRNC. We saw a great potential and we rolled up our sleeves for investment. Tourists fly directly from Turkey and indirectly from Europe to Cyprus. The TRNC's potential is great even with the economic embargo in place."

Subtitle: Some investments in Girne (occupied Kyrenia)

Ismail Zeynel Abidin's 528-bed Boomerang Club project.

Extra facilities are adding 400 more beds to the Turkish Metalworkers Union Grand Eurasia Hotel.

Hamoglu Holding is planning a $40 million hotel project.

Akfen is investing 30 million euros in a 718-bed hotel. Sofitel will manage the hotel.

Net Holding is adding 90 more beds at a cost of $7 million to the 620-bed Merit Hotel.

Net Holding already has a 200-bed holiday village, The Cyprus Garden, in Iskele and is looking for places for new investments with British and Israeli firms.

[06] Turkish Cypriot archaeologist explains the findings of excavations at occupied Akanthou

The paper reports that the site currently being excavated has seven circular structures approximately 5-metres in diameter. The substantial 70-cm thick walls are made of mud and stone. Entry to the buildings was made by a low window type hole with a 30-cm step down. The floors are plastered inside and out and on top of the plaster a red paint can still be seen. Some buildings share their walls with other structures. Still under excavation is a large ditch which originally was used for defence purposes. Later, when the inhabitants felt safer, the ditch was used to deposit their rubbish, giving archaeologists a valuable insight into the life of the settlers. Last year, remains of turtles were discovered with other animal bones and many obsidian blades, implying that these people originated from Central Anatolia and possibly traded in the Levant.

Among the more delicate items from this year´s finds include rings and beads made of shell and picrolite artefacts of turquoise colour coming from the Troodos Mountains. One example of these artefacts is a 3-cm tall, 2-cm wide, hollowed out vessel looking like a miniature basket woven leather covered boat, similar to the Celtic coracles used by ancient peoples in Great Britain, France and Ireland. Part of a very large obsidian knife was also discovered, which is very rare in Cyprus. Its use can only be guessed at, but may have been used to butcher animals such as cattle, deer, sheep and goats, which were all brought to the island by these settlers.

In statements to the paper Dr. Sevketoglu supported the following:

The first Neolithic settlement (7,000 BC) on this fertile lowland has greatly challenged the earlier ideas about this age. Until 1951, a vast number of Neolithic Age features had been attributed to the eastern Mediterranean region, Syria and Mesopotamia instead of Catal Hoyuk. The first early and second late Neolithic settlements were established on adjacent east and west hills where the Catal Hoyuk people created one of the most magnificent civilisations of history.

The name Catal Hoyuk originated from a forked road to the north of the hills. The words Catal meaning fork and Hoyuk meaning mound. It is an interesting coincidence that this name marks an important crossroad in the history of civilisation.

The widespread presence of trade goods and materials from the Anatolian plateau, found throughout the Near and Middle East, reinforces the notion that traders must have regularly visited the region, including Cyprus. Perhaps as populations grew, young farmers with wives, obsidian blades and animals, make their way to the seashore at Tatlisu, to give birth to a new civilisation.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] AFRIKA: One day you will march again to the Palace

While our community was trying to get rid of Denktas it was entrapped by a new Denktas.

When it wanted to do away with Eroglu, it had found a new Eroglu before it This was the fine balance that was carried out by Ankara in North Cyprus.

The target was fixed: Nothing should have changed, it would only appear to have changed.

With a view to making the world to believe in this, a major mobilization was going to start In order to do away with the Turkish occupation image in the north Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots would appear to topple the Denktas administration by a velvet revolution.

Talat, with the USA and British flattery and applause would be made to sit on the leader´s chair. Everything was going to be done so that the Turkish Cypriots were going to believe that the status quo was destroyed.

First, the people were mislead during rallies held in the squares. Then, they were cheated at the ballot boxes.

Just think

The rebellious behaviour we had adopted against Turkey, until we had arrived at the Annan Plan

Everybody were engulfed with excitement of the idea of `getting rid of the saviour´. We were demanding to get our political will

The Parliament, the Government and Denktas were puppets for us

All of a sudden, however, Turkey, with a major manoeuvring did away with this threat All of a sudden Turkey turned everything in its favour.

It was successful, in directing the Turkish Cypriots´ arrows pointed to Turkey, to be directed towards the Greek Cypriots. It has successfully reattached those who started drifting away from the Motherland.

It had escalated nationalist movements. At the end it was able to direct the people´s anger towards Papadopoulos. It did all these with the help of the Republican Turkish Party, (RTP). It secured all these with the help of Talat and Ferdi.

Now every night you see Ferdi on the TV screens instead of Eroglu and you want to break into a loud laughter aren´t you? The things that you used to hear from Eroglu, you hear from Ferdi now.

Of course you have realized the plot they have set against you. But it is too late. With your help they have secured their seats until 2010.

They have consolidated with your votes, the status quo, which you eagerly wanted to topple.

The foundation of the status quo which was cracked has been repaired, walls are painted and its floor was polished. With your votes, nepotism reached to its peak.

There is no doubt that they too will have the same destiny, their fate will not be different than the Denktas´s one.

A day will come you will ask to walk to Talat´s palace as you did to Denktas. You will shout `it is impossible with Talat, Talat Resign´.

You will boo Ferdi, the new Eroglu. Until now, those who followed the same course did not arrive at a different destination. Talat and Ferdi as well will not

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist assesses the fact that Jews buy Greek Cypriot properties which are under Turkish occupation

First let me tell you an anecdote:

Before the civil war started in Lebanon, the Jews began selling the properties they owned there. At first the rich Lebanese did not pay attention to this. Until that day the Jews were continuously buying land and houses. I wonder, what has happened and they began selling? As long as the Jews were selling the rich Lebanese were buying. Some time passed since then and the civil war began. The properties that the rich Lebanese bought from the Jews were been destroyed because of the war. The houses and the buildings were burned and ruined. The land remained in their hand. It is obvious that the Jews had been warned. In fact the power of the Jews is here. MOSAD on the one hand and CIA on the other inform and direct them continuously.

The friend that told me the anecdote brought the issue to the fact that the Jews are continuously buying property in Cyprus and said:

The Jews are not duped. If they are buying and selling property in a country this has a meaning. If they are buying property in northern Cyprus in a madly manner, we should know that the non-solution of the Cyprus problem will be preserved for long. More openly, the status quo will continue the same for another 20-25 years more and the Cyprus problem will be forced to wait deep in the freezing. In this situation why should the Jews not buy property cheaply and earn money from the Cypriots? Meanwhile, why shall they not make the territorial issue more complicated? Is this not the will of America? Is it not to take the territory advantage from the hand of the Greek Cypriots and punish them?

This is right, I said. Had America not given the green light, why should the Jews come to this region, which is the most risky of the world?

There is one last thing my friend, he said. The Jews do not feed the donkey that they cannot screw.

Actually, the Americans are very mad with Papadopoulos because he rejected the Annan Plan. Therefore, they are girding their loins to take from his hand the most important trump cards he has, that is the territory and the population. They gave the territorial issue to the Jews and the population to Turkey. They are very successful on both matters. There is not doubt that our population is rabidly increasing. Selling of land is going well too. After 20-25 years should they propose to give Papadopoulos northern Cyprus for free. I am sure that Papadopoulos or those who come to his place will say no thank you, you can keep it.

We said it before as well. Super powers make their plans for at least a 100-year period. However, they do not need 100 years in order to divide Cyprus between the EU and the USA. Twenty five years are enough for them. Within the next twenty five years the population of northern Cyprus will be two millions at least. The majority of the Greek Cypriot properties in the north will pass to the hands of the foreigners. Do not be afraid! The Jews will not keep these properties in their hands. As soon as they find the right price they will sell them. To whom will they sell them? They will sell the most to EU citizens. A British citizen who bought his third house said: When our population becomes 100-150 thousands against whom will Papadopoulos file charges? Is it easy to file charges against an EU citizen? When the issue comes to that point and their population becomes more than the Turkish Cypriots, they will definitely find a formula and live on the Greek Cypriot properties.

We are saying that the job of the Turkish Cypriots is difficult, but the situation of our neighbours could not be regarded very bright. Ah, we stupid Cypriots!

/SK

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