Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-08-23

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat argues that the Middle East problem has no similarity and relation with the Cyprus problem.

[02] Ali Erel accuses those who insist on incorporating of the two EU regulations of wanting to acquire political gains.

[03] Radauti Mayor in the occupied Kyrenia.

[04] Turkey will build a ring road in Kyrenia.

[05] The removal of mines in Lefkosia Buffer Zone

[06] Russia's Kamov Company will participate in helicopter tenders in Turkey.

[07] The consolidated budget debts of Turkey totalled 323.3 billion NTL.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] "Government faces tough decisions on Kurdish issue"

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat argues that the Middle East problem has no similarity and relation with the Cyprus problem

In statements yesterday during a meeting with the Union of the Turkish Cypriot Construction Material Dealers, Mr Talat said that the parameters of the issue of the properties in a possible agreement regarding the Cyprus problem are more or less determined and added that the way how the mechanism would work has been described in all the solution plans, including compensations, the exchange and the return of properties.

Calling on the Turkish Cypriots not to take seriously the speculations concerning the property issue, Mr Talat reiterated that the information regarding the fact that the title deeds would be annulled "are unreasonable speculations".

Noting that some people, based on the evacuation of the Gaza Strip, are comparing the Middle East problem with the Cyprus problem, Mr Talat argued that the two issues had "absolutely no similarity and relation".

"The parameters of the Cyprus problem have been created within the years, they are known and defined", alleged Mr Talat and added: "As the side that wants and supports the solution, our facing such events like in the Gaza Strip is not even likely".

[02] Ali Erel accuses those who insist on incorporating of the two EU regulations of wanting to acquire political gains

In statements to the local "Radio Mayis", Mr Erel noted that incorporation of the two regulations would not be possible and that neither the EU nor the Government of the Republic of Cyprus accepts this.

Mr Erel pointed out that Ankara does not want the Turkish Cypriots to take aid from anywhere else than Turkey and that the so-called government of the occupation regime cannot oppose Turkey.

Mr Erel noted that the money that the Turkish Cypriots would take from the EU could be used for the building of the infrastructure of all the sectors that face problems in the occupied areas and mainly in the electricity.

[03] Radauti Mayor in the occupied Kyrenia

KIBRISLI reports that the guests yesterday paid a visit to the so-called Kyrenia Mayor´s office and had a meeting with so-called Mayor Sumer Aygin.

During the meeting Aygin said that they had discussed for furthering cooperation between the two cities in social and cultural fields, as well as they had reviewed the work done in these two fields until today.

Sumer Aygin said that Radanti Mayor Mr Frunza as mayor and politician is loved in his country, and being a person having close relations with the Rumanian government, is contributing in removing the so-called "isolations" on the Turkish Cypriots. Mr Frunza in his turn said that this is the third visit to the occupied area and he is happy being with the Turkish Cypriot people.

[04] Turkey will built a ring road in Kyrenia

The tender was opened by Turkey´s General Directorate of the overland Roads of the Ministry of Works and Housing. The paper reports that Turkish Cypriot Constructing Firms could submit offers regarding the tender.

The last day to submit the tenders is 15 September 2005.

11 Kilometer ring road will go upto occupied Karavas village.

Turkey will foot the bill for the construction of the ring road.

[05] The removal of mines in Lefkosia Buffer Zone

The Mine Clearing Operations Centre, which is financed by the EU, is a part of the Partnership for the Future Program. The centre's experts cleared 575,000 square meters from mines thus far. They rendered ineffective 2,186 mines.

[06] Russia's Kamov Company will participate in helicopter tenders in Turkey

[07] The consolidated budget debts of Turkey totalled 323.3 billion NTL

A disclosure by the Treasury Undersecretariat said that 197.9 billion of the overall debts were in the form of NTL, 118.8 billion were in the form of foreign currency, and 6.6 billion were in the form of debts based on foreign currency. The disclosure also said that domestic debts totalled 72.8 percent of the overall amount -- 48.3 percent was to the domestic market and 24.5 percent were to the public sector. The foreign debts made up 27.2 percent of the overall debts.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] "Government faces tough decisions on Kurdish issue"

"Statements by Turkey's police, asking for effective measures to fight secessionist terrorism, signals tough measures may be in the offing in the new Anti-Terrorism Law that Justice Minister Cemil Cicek is working on these days.

At first it was the military that asked for new anti-terrorism measures, saying its hands were tied in the fight against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) secessionist terrorism. The more the PKK assassinated our soldiers the more the military's anger grew. So in the end, Chief of Staff General General Hilmi Ozkok demanded new measures.

That created quite a stir and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while acknowledging that new anti-terrorism measures are needed, said this would not be at the cost of the democratization process and the implementation of new reforms in Turkey.

His visit to Diyarbakir heartened the people by acknowledging that the state had made mistakes while handling the Kurdish issue. He promised new paths would be taken by the government on the issue.

But now with the new demands by the police, it's seen that while Erdogan is telling us there will be no let up in the democratization process, things are not going in the direction that he wants.

He seems to be proving the fact that as soon as a leader starts telling everyone that he acknowledges the Kurdish reality, or agrees that the state has made mistakes instead of creating a more liberal atmosphere in the southeast, we seem to fall into a more repressive situation.

What the police want in the Anti-Terrorism Law will mean the declaration of an unofficial emergency law in the region with added powers given to security forces. It will allow the governor of Diyarbakir to serve like a civilian martial law commander.

Propaganda will be banned, which also means that whoever says anything will be accused of making propaganda and will be jailed.

The government will buy time in legislating the new Anti-Terrorism Law by stalling it for a while. We hear that the government will wait for the outcome of the European Union foreign ministers meeting where Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will also be present. If the meeting produces a positive outcome where the government gets the signal that accession talks will open on October 3 as scheduled, then the administration in Ankara will legislate a watered-down version of the Anti-Terrorism Law. If not, the law will be legislated in line with the demands of the military and the police.

All this shows that the government is pushed into a tight corner and will find it very hard to move. Everyone including the PKK is playing for time. The fact that they "announced" a temporary ceasefire for only a month proves this."

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