Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-08-16

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the airplane accident which happened on Sunday.

[02] Azerbaijan is reportedly ready to give permission to the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines to fly directly to Baku.

[03] Talat says that the efforts of the Turkish Cypriots will continue until they are "registered as an equal country of the world".

[04] Talat says that annulling the illegal title deeds issued by the occupation regime is "out of the question" and admits that their only plan is to face the Greek Cypriot lawsuits on the property issue.

[05] CUMHURIYET: "Greek Cypriots Attempt to corner Turkey".

[06] The so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the clearing of land mines in buffer zone in Cyprus.

[07] Mr Babacan said that putting more pressure on Turkey about Cyprus would be unfair.

[08] Poll outcome showed that US Middle East Policies are to being blamed for terrorism.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the airplane accident which happened on Sunday

Under the banner headlines "Great pain" KIBRIS (15.08.05) writes that the Greek Cypriot plane crashed in Grammatikos mountain area, north of Athens, while going to Prague via the Greek capital. It also notes that 121 persons lost their lives in the accident.

Furthermore, under the banner headlines "We are in mourning", KIBRIS (16.08.05) writes that the Turkish Cypriots as well are participating in the great pain that the accident caused in the free areas of Cyprus and in Greece and adds that today all flags will be lowered to half mast in the occupied areas of the island. Turkish Cypriot politicians have sent messages of condolences to Greek Cypriot politicians.

Under the banner headlines "Crashing pain" AFRIKA (15.08.05) writes that "Cyprus was yesterday shocked by a terrible airplane tragedy".

Furthermore, under the front page title "The celebrations have not been annulled", the paper (16.08.05) notes that the flags will be lowered to half mast in the occupied areas today until 14:00 hours, but the celebrations regarding the second phase of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus have not been annulled. The paper adds that the leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement (PDM), Mustafa Akinci pointed out that annulling the celebrations would be a "meaningful message".

AFRIKA notes that Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul have sent condolence messages to their Greek counterparts, Mr Karamanlis and Mr Molyviatis respectively, instead of sending to President Papadopoulos and Foreign Minister Iacovou.

YENI DUZEN (15.08.05) covers the issue under the banner headlines "We are sharing your pain" and adds that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat called on President Papadopoulos and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and General Secretary of left-wing AKEL party, Mr Dimitris Christofias in order to express his condolences.

YENI DUZEN (16.08.05) continues covering the issue under the banner headlines "The north as well is in mourning".

HALKIN SESI (15.08.05) uses the banner headlines "The Greek Cypriots are in mourning".

"CYPRUS TIMES" (15.08.05) notes that that "Greek Cypriot plane crashes in mountains". The banner headline in the paper's next edition (16.08.05) is "Mystery deepens as Cyprus grieves".

ORTAM (15.08.05) covers the issue under the banner headlines "Tragedy in the air".

KIBRISLI (15.08.05) uses the banner headlines "May you recover soon neighbour!"

CUMHURIYET (15.08.05), under the title "A Boing 737 belonging to the Greek Cypriot Helios Airlines crashed north of Athens", writes that there were no survivors among the 121 persons that had been on the plane.

GUNES (15.08.05) covers the issue under the title "Greek Cypriot plane crashed near Athens" and "121 persons died!"

VATAN (15.08.05) refers to the issue under the title "Southern Cyprus is in mourning!"

In its inside pages VOLKAN (15.08.05) says that "A Greek Cypriot plane crashed: 121 dead persons".

[02] Azerbaijan is reportedly ready to give permission to the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines to fly directly to Baku

"It has been known that the government of Azerbaijan has given its approval for direct flights from the Ercan State Airport directly to Baku. According to information that reliable sources gave to KIBRIS, the government of Azerbaijan is waiting an application from the Turkish Cypriot Airlines (TCA) for the direct flights. It has been noted that in case an application is made by the TCA, Azerbaijan will give its approval. It has been known that the above-mentioned application will be made by TCA officials within the next few days. Furthermore, it has been known that the Greek Cypriot Administration proposed to Azerbaijan's IMAIR Airlines to launch flights to Southern Cyprus, but the Azerbaijani officials rejected this proposal answering that 'we shall only fly to the TRNC'".

[03] Talat says that the efforts of the Turkish Cypriots will continue until they are "registered as an equal country of the world"

According to Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (16.08.05) Mr Talat has attended the so-called celebrations for the 31st anniversary of the second phase of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus which took place at the occupied Chatoz village on Sunday night.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Talat said that the greatest supporter of the so-called "TRNC" were the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. He added that "the struggle of the Turkish Armed Forces to bring peace in Cyprus will never be forgotten".

Mr Talat noted, inter alia, the following:

"...However, let us not forget that as you; the inhabitants of Chatoz have resisted from 1963 until 1974, as you have not surrendered, as you struggled in order to protect your rights and the future of your children, families, friends and citizens, this struggle has not ended. It will continue in other fields this time, in the international field. There will be no surrender. As Chatoz has not surrendered, the Turkish Cypriots as well will not surrender. They will continue their efforts in order to be registered as an equal state of the world. This is the conclusion I have reached from the determination which the Turkish Cypriots show since 1963. ...".

[04] Talat says that annulling the illegal title deeds issued by the occupation regime is "out of the question" and admits that their only plan is to face the Greek Cypriot lawsuits on the property issue

Mr Ozadam noted that he visited Mr Talat at his office and discussed with him various matters, among which the suggestions that are published recently in the press regarding amendments in the article 159 of the "constitution", according to which illegal title deeds had been distributed to Turkish Cypriots and settlers from Turkey.

Mr Ozadam writes on the issue:

"Talat, who shed light on this matter as well and noted that the annulling of the title deeds was out of the question, pointed out that the work done is nothing else but a work against cases similar to the Loizidou case and that the citizens must feel a bit less worried".

[05] CUMHURIYET: "Greek Cypriots Attempt to corner Turkey"

The paper reports that the Greek Cypriot side has submitted its list of demands officially to the EU. The report further notes that among the demands is the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

CUMHURIYET goes on and reports that the "Greek Cypriot side with its demands is trying to demonstrate that the Turkish army in Cyprus is a threat to the EU." It claims that Cyprus government wanted to replace the phrase "in Turkey" in the Article 3 of the NFD with the phrase "by Turkey". This change, claims the paper, will give the EU the chance to interpret Turkish troops presence in Cyprus as "threat" in case Turkey refuses to withdraw its troops from Cyprus.

[06] The so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the clearing of land mines in buffer zone in Cyprus

The so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Friday: "We believe that steps taken regarding clearing of land mines will contribute to efforts to restore confidence milieu and find a comprehensive solution in the island. The UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus and the 'TRNC' officials `signed an agreement´ on August 5th regarding removal of land mines in Lefkosia and nearby buffer zone. Implementation of the agreement has started today. In line with the agreement, clearing of land mines will be pursued by expert institutes which will be assigned under Partnership for the Future Program. Within that scope, we welcome efforts of UN as well as the EU which will finance the activities of UN Development Program / Partnership for the Future."

[07] Mr Babacan said that putting more pressure on Turkey about Cyprus would be unfair

Responding to questions of journalists about Turkey's EU bid, Mr Babacan said that 25 members of the EU promised Turkey that if Turkey fulfilled its obligations, accession talks would start on October 3rd, 2005.

"Now we fulfilled our obligations, if 'pacta sund servanda' is one of the basic principles of EU, then accession talks should start on October 3rd," Mr Babacan said.

Referring to one political obstacle in front of negotiations, Mr Babacan said: "The negotiating framework document for Turkey has to be approved by 25 members of the EU before October 3rd. The first meeting about it will take place on August 25th. We expect that the document would be approved before October 3rd.There is no technical and/or legal obstacle, but just one political obstacle in front of us before October 3rd."

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr Babacan said that Turkey always supported a settlement on the island and defended approval of Annan plan in the referendum held on the island on April 24th.

He also added: "I am against putting more pressure on Turkey about Cyprus issue. Greece and the Greek Cypriot side should also be encouraged to exert efforts to solve the problem, like Turkey and 'TRNC' do. If EU makes discrimination between EU and non-EU countries, this will not be fair."

"The EU asked Turkey to adopt six laws and sign the protocol about Cyprus during its December 17th, 2004 summit. Turkey was asked to sign the protocol about Cyprus without any reservation --i.e., without issuing a declaration-- but Turkey didn't accept that request and took this condition out from the document, during the summit. So it was known since that date that Turkey would issue a declaration after the signing of the protocol about Cyprus," Mr Babacan noted.

When asked if the additional protocol would be sent to the Turkish parliament before October 3rd, Mr Babacan said that the parliament would officially reconvene on October 1st, adding that the protocol would be discussed at the parliament in the shortest time possible.

Mr Babacan also affirmed that the macro economic and political stability was the biggest advantage of Turkey.

[08] Poll outcome showed that US Middle East Policies are to being blamed for terrorism

The respondents were asked, "What is the most important reason for global terrorism?" Some 66 percent of them said "the US Middle East Policies."

According to the opinion poll, in which 2,500 respondents were interviewed face-to-face in five large cities, 91 percent of the Turkish people describe Usama bin Ladin as a terrorist. Only 1 percent believes that he is a "hero." Some 57 percent of the respondents said that Al-Qa'ida is involved in terrorism and 34 percent said that the organization harms the Muslims. Only 4 percent of the respondents said that they believe Al-Qa'ida is waging a jihad. None of the respondents said that Al-Qa'ida defends the rights of the Muslim people.

The Turkish people believe that the attacks in London, New York, Madrid, and Egypt were wrong. They feel more and more embarrassed by the continuing al-Qa'ida attacks. However, they still believe that the US Middle East policies are the reason for terrorism. Only 4 percent of the people think that terrorism stems from the Islamic religion.

Some 75 percent of the respondents said "no" to a question as to whether or not "

Al-Qa'ida represents the Muslim people." Only 1 percent said that they believe Al-Qa'ida represents the Muslim people.

Figures on the Turkish People's Pulse (percent):

Al-Qa'ida is involved in terrorism:                     57
Attacks in London, Egypt, and Madrid were wrong:        90
Bush is responsible for the spreading of terror:        54
Usama bin Ladin is a terrorist:                         91
Usama bin Ladin is a hero:                               1
Al-Qa'ida does not represent the Muslims:               75
I feel embarrassed that Al-Qa'ida is Muslim:            18
I believe attacks on 11 September were wrong:           86
Turkey being the most appropriate alternative against Al-Qa'ida's views was
the reason for the organization's attacks in Istanbul:  40
The United States and the West provoke tension between Christians and
Muslims through their wrong policies:                   43

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