Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-09-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Reactions regarding the EUs reported draft counter declaration against Turkey's declaration about Cyprus

[02] Halevga forest burned by the Turkish occupation army.

[03] How the Turkish Prime Minister assessed the German elections.

[04] Campain to scare foreigners dealing with the Armenian genocide issue.

[05] Statistical data about schools in the occupied areas. Lyceum to start in occupied Rizokarpasso.

[06] Soyer enters Belgium from the VIP of the Brussels airport; He confirms the information regarding upcoming initiative by the UN on Cyprus.

[07] Reactions in the Turkish Cypriot press regarding Erdogans statements for a confederal solution in Cyprus.

[08] A NUP deputy attempts to participate as an observer in the group of Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament.

[09] The football teams of Tibet and Samiland will come to the occupied area of Cyprus in November.

[10] COREPER agreed on the counter-declaration.

[11] Minorities recourse to ECHR trial starts today.

[12] EU to monitor Turkish economy after 2007.

[13] Foreign Minister Gul's personal website begins broadcasting.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Reactions regarding the EUs reported draft counter declaration against Turkey's declaration about Cyprus

The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU (COREPER) reached compromise on a draft declaration against Turkey's declaration about Cyprus. Diplomatic sources said on Monday that the draft would call on Turkey to recognize the "Republic of Cyprus" during the negotiation process.

In recent weeks, COREPER formed by permanent representatives of the 25-member states in Brussels, could not make any headway due to the attitude of the Greek Cypriot administration, Greece and France.

On December 17th, 2004, the EU Council decided to open negotiations with Turkey on October 3rd, 2005. Ankara signed the additional protocol extending its Customs Union to cover new member states. In addition to the protocol, Turkey released a declaration saying that it did not recognize the "Republic of Cyprus".

The draft counter-declaration prepared by the current EU President Britain expresses regret over Turkey feeling the need of releasing a declaration about the Greek Cypriot administration, and defends that Turkey's declaration was unilateral and not part of the protocol.

The draft also requests that Turkey should apply the Customs Union agreement without discriminating among EU member states, adding that Brussels would review Ankara's implementation of its obligations next year.

Stressing that if Turkey failed to fulfill its commitments, chapters would not be discussed in the talks scheduled to start on October 3rd, the draft notes that the "Republic of Cyprus" was recognized as a state under the international law.

The draft also says that Turkey was expected to normalize its relations with all EU member states in the shortest possible period of time. It says that Turkey maintained its obligation to support efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue under the good-will mission of UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish HURRIYET newspaper (20.09.09, internet version), the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat commented on the issue and strongly criticized the EU today. Mr Talat alleged that the EU ignored the Turkish Cypriots, that it lifted the restrictions only for the Greek Cypriots and that the EU prevents the solution of the Cyprus problem. Mr Talat argued that the declaration is not a good text and that this is a regrettable situation.

Speaking at a press conference today, Mr Talat accused the Greek Cypriots of ignoring the rights of the Turkish Cypriots with the support of Greece and of following a policy that leads Turkeys EU accession course to erosion.

Mr Talat alleged: It is not a good text for two reasons. The one of them is that it binds the recognition of Cyprus to Turkeys EU accession course. That is, it is demanding that Turkey should recognize Cyprus with its current structure, with its abnormal structure. The second one is that it provides for the unilateral lifting of the restrictions only for the Greek Cypriot side. However, the European approach should be to say that all restrictions should be lifted.

Mr Talat said that as a result of this the solution to the Cyprus problem will be prevented, that the Greek Cypriots are using the advantages of the membership to the EU and that they are going away from the solution. With this approach the EU determined and follows a policy that is trying to prevent the solution of the Cyprus problem, argued Mr Talat.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish NTVMSNBC (20.09.05, internet version) during his contacts in New York, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Abdullah Gul has expressed the opinion that the Greek Cypriots will block Turkeys EU accession course and that they took the EU as a hostage for their own interests.

Mr Gul conveyed the concerns and sensitivities of Ankara regarding the counter declaration to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Latvia.

Invoking diplomatic sources, NTVMSNBC reports that Mr Gul told his counterparts that the EU should not do everything that the Greek Cypriots want and that the real partnership includes also warning your partner in case he is committing a mistake. Mr Gul alleged that the side that makes compromises is always Turkey and told the two Ministers that the EU should think in a strategic manner.

(I/Ts)

[02] Halevga forest burned by the Turkish occupation army

Writes the paper: Starting from the shooting range and reaching up to the main road the fire burst into flames young plants, pine trees and cypress trees.

The fire started at 8:30 in the morning at Halevga north of Kalyvakia village and it caused great fear and panic.

The representatives of the press asked to cover the fire since the morning hours but permission was given at 17 hours in the afternoon. The area is under surveillance by the Forestry Department´ on a 24-hour basis.

The fire was put under control by the fire brigade, the ´Forestry Department´, army units, people from the area but helicopters brought in from Mersin helped put off the fire.

The paper carries colour photographs of the forest, a helicopter brought in from Turkey, which keeps Cyprus occupied since 1974, and a gun shell in the burned forest scene with the following caption:

Although the reason of how the fire started was not given clearly by persons in charge, it is estimated that it started as a result of shooting exercises by the army

[03] How the Turkish Prime Minister assessed the German elections

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the elections in Germany. He said that Chancellor Schroeder displayed a good performance during these elections. Erdogan also said that the election results showed that anti-Turkish discourse did not benefit the parties.

He said: This has been a campaign that demonstrated that the negative propaganda conducted at the expense of the Turks, especially the reference to a privileged EU partnership for Turkey, created a negative outcome. As a matter of fact, this outcome, which came as a surprise for those who have been following Germany from the outside, should constitute food for thought for the politicians as well. In my view, this is an outcome that should be used as a lesson by politicians. I can say that although he was the leader of a ruling party, Mr. Schroeder conducted a successful campaign.

[04] Campain to scare foreigners dealing with the Armenian genocide issue

A denouncement has been filed against several Armenian scholars who organized a conference on the so-called Armenian genocide and used Ataturk's picture on a poster at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

The denouncement was filed at the Uskudar Republican Prosecutor's Office and had the signatures of Dr. Ibrahim Oztek, Dr. Zihni Papakci and owner of Iktidar Magazine Metin Hacimustafaoglu.

A conference on the so-called Armenian genocide was organized at UCLA which was attended by Armenian scholars Vahram Shemmassian, Ardashes Kassakhian and Levon Marashlian last April. The conference posters had Ataturk's picture in front of puppies. [Bad REFERENCE tag...is to an Armenian diaspora poster which reportedly doctored an old picture, replacing Ataturk's two pet dogs lying at his feet with two Armenian children starved to death in 1915].

Dr. Oztek stressed that Turks and the founder of Turkey Ataturk were insulted by the posters and conference organized at UCLA. ''We will sue those responsible for the insult against the Turks,'' noted Oztek.

On the issue of the Armenian genocide Ankara Anatolia (19.09.05) reported the following from Ankara:

Turkish Labor Party (IP) deputy leader Mehmet Bedri Gultekin has indicated today that his party has launched a campaign titled ''Do Not Purchase Swiss Goods'' that will be effective until the Swiss Parliament revokes a decision it adopted earlier on the so-called Armenian genocide.

Members of the IP convened in capital Ankara's main square Kizilay and carried banners and shouted slogans encouraging Turks not to purchase Swiss-made goods due to the decision of the Swiss parliament vis-a-vis the so-called genocide of Armenians.

Gultekin pointed out that IP leader Dogu Perincek was called by the Lausanne Prosecutor's Office. Perincek was warned by the Swiss police officers before he gave a speech on the so-called Armenian genocide.

''The acts of the Swiss police have hurt the democratic image of Switzerland.

Despite the warnings, Perincek delivered his speech,'' said Gultekin.

Gultekin said Perincek will be questioned tomorrow by the Lausanne Prosecutor.

[05] Statistical data about schools in the occupied areas. Lyceum to start in occupied Rizokarpasso

A thousand and 950 teachers will be teaching in the public sector secondary schools this year.

Earlier, the school year for the primary and elementary schools in the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) opened on Thursday, with more than 18 thousand pupils attending classes.

Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot secondary schools lyceum` department has opened its doors for Greek Cypriot students, as from today.

The `Council of Ministers´ decided two weeks ago to open classes in the school for Lyceum 1st , 2nd and 3rd year students, thus, returning the school to its pre-1975 status.

A total of 50 pupils and students are now studying at the Karpass Greek Cypriot School after it became a six-classroom school.

The schools head-mistress was reported earlier as having said that the six classrooms were needed only for the lyceum section of the school, but the `Ministry of National Education and Culture´ said it received no request or demand whatsoever, to that effect.

[06] Soyer enters Belgium from the VIP of the Brussels airport; He confirms the information regarding upcoming initiative by the UN on Cyprus

The paper notes that this was possible after an initiative undertaken by the representation of the pseudostate in Brussels and that the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave its permission for this. KIBRIS writes that Mr Soyer became the first Prime Minister of the pseudostate who entered Belgium from the VIP, as Mr Mehmet Ali Talat followed the normal procedure when he visited Brussels in the past.

No one from the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs met Mr Soyer at the airport, notes KIBRIS adding that officials of the above-mentioned Ministry said that Mr Soyer can use the VIP, but we will not come to meet him.

Mr Soyer was met at the airport by Mr Oguz Demiralp, Turkeys Permanent representative at the EU and Mr Yalcin Vahit, representative of the occupation regime in Brussels.

Speaking at the opening of the representation of the TCCC, Mr Soyer said that this was a very important step and that this office is the eye and the ear of the Turkish Cypriots in Brussels. He argued that the Turkish Cypriots sincerely want a solution in Cyprus and joining the EU, because the EU will contribute to their democratization and economic development. Mr Soyer alleged that the condition regarding Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus is not legitimate.

Meanwhile, in his statements Mr Ali Erel, chairman of the TCCC, alleged that the delegation of the EU in Cyprus has been turned into a press and information service and that the dialogue has stopped when a Greek Cypriot became a head of this delegation.

Our relations with the Commission and the EU have been completely broken. Therefore, making this step was inevitable. We have to be here (in Brussels) and make our voice heard, said Mr Erel.

Furthermore, KIBRIS reports that during his visit in Brussels Mr Soyer met with Mr Timo Sumo, EUs Director for the Enlargement. Responding to questions after the meeting, Mr Soyer said that during the meeting he observed that the EU appreciates the steps made by the Turkish Cypriots towards peace. He noted that they told Mr Sumo that the demand for Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus is an injustice towards the Turkish Cypriots.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (20.09.05) reports that Mr Soyer confirmed the information regarding an initiative which the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan is expected to undertake on the Cyprus problem within the next few days. Mr Soyer said that this initiative will be in the framework of the Annan Plan.

Furthermore, according to Turkish Cypriot VATAN newspaper (20.09.05), Mr Soyer said he was expecting soon an activity on the Cyprus problem and that the concrete framework will be formed within the next few days. VATAN writes that Turkey is preparing for the new initiative on Cyprus and expects that the UN Secretary General will issue a declaration on the matter stressing that the solution should be reached within the framework of the UN.

(I/Ts)

[07] Reactions in the Turkish Cypriot press regarding Erdogans statements for a confederal solution in Cyprus

Mr Erdogan, who said that the Greek Cypriot side should accept two states in northern and southern Cyprus and one confederative structure within the scope of Annan Plan has made these statements during a short meeting he had with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Tassos Papadopoulos. The two men met on foot in the framework of the 60th UN General Assembly Session.

Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper reports that the so-called Public Servants Trade Union (KTAMS) was the first to react to the statements made by the Turkish Prime Minister and notes that these statements raised the tension in the island. As the paper writes KTAMS wonders whatever this proposal was prepared together with the officials of the occupation regime.

Commenting on the issue the chairman of KTAMS, Mr Ali Seylani, stated that this proposal cannot be accepted and said that it weakens the Turkish Cypriots and it is in violation of the Annan Plan which envisages the federal solution. This approach is not helpful regarding the solution, he said.

In addition, according to Mr Dogan Harman, the chief-editor of the Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper, Turkey has put into practice the method of the political crisis in order to open again the solution process which has been plugged. Tricks, intrigues and maneuvers are put in practice, writes Mr Harman who supports that this procedure brings onto the surface the power and during this only those who are powerful will succeed.

Mr Harman also wrote that this tactic was used again by Ankara during its negotiations with the EU since Turkey declared, using a hard language, that it will not make a concession in Cyprus in the name of the beginning of accession negotiations and said to the EU officials, if you insist, we will go. Mr Harman said that with the statements made about two states in Cyprus and confederation, Mr Erdogan challenges both the Greek Cypriots and the EU.

(C/S)

[08] A NUP deputy attempts to participate as an observer in the group of Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament

Mr Tacoy said: NUP does whatever it can to explain the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. It is not only the Greek Cypriots who have views in Cyprus, we have also. We want to convey these views. He also noted that they expect the decision of the Liberal Democrats today, adding: If the opportunity is given to us today, we want here a Turkish Cypriot representative from Cyprus.

Mr Tacoy said Cyprus, which should be inside the EU as a whole, is represented only partially and that Turkish Cypriots demand an end to this situation.

(D/P)

[09] The football teams of Tibet and Samiland will come to the occupied area of Cyprus in November

(D/P)

[10] COREPER agreed on the counter-declaration

NTV reports that the Cyprus government, because of its firm stance, was able to get, if not all, most of its demands.

In the new text, Turkey should recognize the Cyprus Republic in the course of the negotiation process. As regards the solution of the Cyprus problem no mention is made to the Annan Plan but demands support to Secretary-General´s solution efforts.

NTV reports that there are three important changes in the new text. In the old text the EU demanded from Turkey to recognize the Cyprus Republic prior to EU membership. In the new text the EU demands from Turkey to recognize Cyprus Republic in the course of membership negotiations.

In the old text the Cyprus problem and the recognition process were tied up together in the new text, it is stressed that Cyprus problem will be solved under the UN roof and there is no reference to the Annan Plan.

In the old text the EU demanded from Turkey to open its ports to Cyprus, during the course of the negotiations. An amendment is added to this in the new text saying that in case Turkey refuses to open its ports, this will have negative effects on the negotiation process.

(M/Y)

[11] Minorities recourse to ECHR trial starts today

The Fener Greek Boys Lyceum Foundation and Yedikule Surp Pirgic Armenian Hospital Foundation have recoursed to the ECHR claiming that the immovable property acquired by the foundations during 1940,50 and 60 through donations have been confiscated in 90´s by the Turkish State based on a national security provision of the Supreme Court decision of 1974.

The above mentioned foundations claim that the confiscations are contrary to the Right to Property of the European Human Rights Convention.

The plaintiff parties claim that the new arrangement is not compatible with the Laussanne Agreement, Turkish laws and the interpretation of these laws by the Turkish legal organs and say that there is discrimination against them.

The ECHR will listen to the lawyers of the plaintiff parties and the defendants and in the coming months will deliver its decision.

If the ECHR rules in favour of the plaintiff parties this will act as precedent for other cases, in future lawsuits.

(M/Y)

[12] EU to monitor Turkish economy after 2007

European Union (EU) officials are planning to introduce a ''monitoring system'' by 2007 to closely watch economic developments in and pertaining to Turkey.

High level officials of the EU Commission have indicated that the stand-by program between Turkey and IMF will end in 2007. ''We want to closely monitor economic developments after the IMF stand-by is completed,'' said EU sources.

Some EU sources remarked that with this ''monitoring system,'' the EU wishes to place pressure on the Turkish government vis-a-vis the economy.

The idea of a ''monitoring system'' is imaginary for now but is expected to be brought to the EU Commission's attention soon.

Meanwhile, entry negotiations on five topics may not take place, if the Progress Report in November refers to the Turkish economy as partly functioning free market rather than a fully functioning one.

These five topics are economic-monetary union, free movement of capital, small and medium-scale businesses, industry, competition and agriculture.

Sources said that up until now it was predominantly political criteria that Turkey had to fulfill. ''From now on, it will be the economic criteria that the EU will pay attention to as far as Turkey is concerned.''

[13] Foreign Minister Gul's personal website begins broadcasting

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's personal website Gul TV has begun broadcasting. The site broadcasts the minister's speeches in Parliament, interviews and TV news. The site, which is updated every day, also carries photographs and stories of the Gul family and world leaders. The personal website has the address www.abdullahgul.gen.tr and has the words GUL TV written underneath an image in a TV screen that began broadcasting a while ago. GUL TV has high ratings and carries recordings of speeches and talks he gave in Parliament and on several TV channels such as NTV, CNN and TRT.

People visiting the site can listen to any of 33 speeches by clicking on the options. The aim of the mini broadcast is stated as: "We are at your service with our mini broadcast by which we can reach you directly. We are not a professional TV service. Our aim is for you to follow speeches we give as a parliamentary deputy as well as to express our ideas in private interviews. We will occasionally address you with topics not seen in the press."

The website contains all information on Gul for those who have been curious since the day the Justice and Development Party came to power, and it also has a video gallery. This gallery contains Gul's CV, images of him watching soccer matches with his friends, telephone conversations and chats with the public.

/SK

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