Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-10-10

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Erdogan after meeting Olli Rehn

[02] Gul: I do not think that negotiations would be cut if Turkey s p¿rts and airports were not opened to Greek Cypriot planes and ships

[03] Gul repeats that Turkey will not recognize the Republic of Cyprus until the problems created by the Turkish invasion are solved

[04] Westmacott: Recognition in Cyprus after the settlement

[05] Mr. Talat says President Papadopoulos may speak with Erdogan after a solution.

[06] Turkey plans to transport water to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus with an underwater pipeline

[07] AFRIKA: Cyprus Attack from Erdogan

[08] The death of a soldier of the Turkish occupation army in 2003 to be taken to the ECHR

[09] Dairy products in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus are infected with Coliform bacteria

[10] Rauf Denktas will host a television programme on Avrasya television

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Erdogan after meeting Olli Rehn

Erdogan met the EU Commissioner in charge of Enlargement Olli Rehn at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. Erdogan talked to press corps after his meeting with Rehn.

''I thank Mr. Rehn today for his friendly support of Turkey during the negotiations process. We believe that we can work together during the screening and negotiations process. No doubt, our road in negotiations will be a tough one. Yet we are confident that we will overcome all difficulties by holding meetings just as a family would. There are experiences in front of us. There are 25 members with experiences. We will make use of such experiences. Further, we have an experience of customs union for a decade,'' commented Erdogan.

Erdogan stressed that, thanks to all of these experiences, the Turkish institutions will find integration into the EU easy and Turkey will complete the negotiating process successfully.

[02] Gul: I do not think that negotiations would be cut if Turkeys ports and airports were not opened to Greek Cypriot planes and ships

Appearing on private TV channel NTV, Gul said that he did not think that (full membership) negotiations (between Turkey and the EU) would be cut if Turkey's ports and airports were not opened to Greek Cypriot planes and ships.

Gul said that either TRNC's (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) isolation should be ended or a lasting and comprehensive solution should be found to the Cyprus problem in order to end discussions on this matter. "The EU is being crushed under its own promises. I expect that some new developments will occur in a short time," he indicated.

"There is not a smooth road in front of us," said Gul when commenting on the press reports that there may be some negative clauses in the progress report to be made public by the European Commission in November.

Underlining that all candidate countries had faced such challenges, Gul said, "we should be prepared for all these."

Gul pointed out that Turkey would eliminate its shortcomings and implement newly-adopted reforms and laws as it held negotiations with the EU. "Turkey has entered a democratic path of no return," he stressed.

Answering a question regarding Austria, which will take over the rotating EU presidency after Britain, Gul said that a compromise was reached on October 3rd despite the insistent attitude of Austria, and expressed belief that Austria would exert more efforts to show its impartiality after it took over the EU presidency.

Gul said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey would appoint two deputy undersecretaries, one in charge of the negotiation process and the other in charge of the EU.

"Our prior goal is to include all ministries in this process," indicated Gul.

According to Gul, all ministries will have deputy undersecretaries responsible for the EU.

[03] Gul repeats that Turkey will not recognize the Republic of Cyprus until the problems created by the Turkish invasion are solved

Stating that there should be a lasting solution on the island under the leadership of the UN, Gul told reporters that after a solution was found to the Cyprus issue, Turkey, Greece and a united Cyprus could be a region of cooperation in the EU.

"If we say 'we recognize Greek Cypriots', it will mean we do not recognize Turkish Cypriots on the island. Who can believe and claim that Papadopoulos represents Turkish Cypriots? Europe does not believe it, either. There are two ways: One is reaching a lasting solution under the auspices of the UN. That is, either the island is unified, or the TRNC strengthens and goes on its own path. And Turkey supports its Turkish brothers in the island till the end for their security, politics, economy. The whole world, the EU and also Greek Cypriots know this. That's why, the best thing here is to find a solution." Underlining that the whole world expected a solution on Cyprus issue, Gul indicated, "common points should be revealed for a solution... I believe that a new initiative will be taken in a short period of time."

After we fulfill our duties, if the Greek Cypriot administration does not fulfill its responsibilities, then TRNC will continue to walk on its way," he stressed.

When we put our sign under a thing as Turkey, we will fulfill its requirements, said Gul, noting that the additional protocol will pass from the parliament when time has come.

[04] Westmacott: Recognition in Cyprus after the settlement

Commenting on the statement made by the EU Commission enlargement commissioner, Olli Rehn, that: We are working with the EU term presidency to remove isolations on the north Cyprus, Westmacott said that Britain wants to put into practice, the financial and trade regulations promised by the EU. He said: Our aim was to reach to 3rd October. Now it will be logical if we turn our attention to that direction. The term presidency is determined to score progress in this as well. However, I cannot say how and when this will be realized. In order to find a solution, it is necessary to resume these efforts. Unless a solution is reached this issue will continue to make our lives and the negotiations process of Turkey difficult.

[05] Mr Talat says President Papadopoulos may speak with Erdogan after a solution

Talat remarked that he will have certain suggestions that will have an impact on the negotiating process. ''I do not have any new suggestions on Maras [Varosha],'' said Talat.

Talat answered questions from the press in a program on illegal Bayrak TV last night [ 7 October].

When reminded about comments made by President Papadopoulos on Thursday [ 6 October] that Erdogan is the one to address the Cyprus issue, Talat noted that Papadopoulos will continue living by making such statements.

''Papadopoulos believes that he is at the center of world attention. The Greek Cypriots are using their EU membership in putting pressure on the TRNC,''(occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) said Talat.

Talat alleged that Papadopoulos is not sincere when it comes to negotiations.

''Papadopoulos calls on the UN to start talks. Yet he expresses that he will discuss Cyprus with Erdogan. Papadopoulos does not want talks to resume,'' commented Talat.

Mr. Talat remarked that he is making preparations to inform the self styled parliament and political parties about the strategy that will be followed in the near future.

Talat pointed out that a return to the [ 1960] Cyprus Republic is not possible. ''I see a return back to the Cyprus Republic as marginal and know that we will never reach that stage. It will not be possible to go back to Cyprus Republic,'' stressed Talat.

Talat noted that his regime is working on ways to defend Turkish Cypriots in lawsuits against them in international courts.

Commenting on the upcoming parliamentary elections in the free areas Mr. Talat said that the elections will fuel nationalism among Greek Cypriots: ''Contrary to the attitude in Greek Cyprus, nationalism during TRNC elections always is down played. This is because the Turkish Cypriots love peace. The idea of peace gets the votes in TRNC while nationalism is kept as an issue that receives tremendous amount of votes in Greek Cypriot side,'' said Talat.

[06] Turkey plans to transport water to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus with an underwater pipeline

A project, envisaging to meet water need of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) through an undersea pipeline to be laid from Turkey to the island, has been launched.

Turkish State Water Works (DSI) and Alsim Alarko firm signed a memorandum of understanding in Turkish capital of Ankara today.

Speaking at the ceremony, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said that a 78-kilometer pipeline would be laid beneath the Mediterranean Sea to transport water from Anamur Dragon Brook to TRNC (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus).

Thus TRNC would receive 75 million cubic meters of water p.a., indicated Guler.

According to Guler, 15 million cubic meters of the water will be potable water, while the rest will be used in irrigation. Guler added that electricity and natural gas projects would follow this water transportation project.

On the other hand, Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said that despite unjust blockade, TRNC economy grew 34 percent in the last three years, thanks to its cooperation with Turkey.

With this project, (the occupied territories) water need will be met. And, especially Meserya Plain will be irrigated and TRNC economy will boom, stressed Sener.

[07] AFRIKA: Cyprus Attack from Erdogan

The paper writes that Mr Erdogan will also call the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, regarding the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. The unfair isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots must be lifted. We are always ready to take steps towards the solution of this problem, Mr Erdogan will reportedly say to the UN Secretary-General.

Mr Erdogan will also call on Mr Annan firstly by telephone and then by a face to face meeting and ask him to get into action. According to the paper, Mr Erdogan will tell Mr Annan that the TRNC (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) must finally be rewarded regarding the yes it said on the 24 April referendum and that they expected the UN to take steps in this direction.

The paper also writes that Mr Erdogan referred to the Cyprus problem during the telephone conversation he had with the US Secretary of State Mrs Condoleezza Rice and asked her to help towards the lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

[08] The death of a soldier of the Turkish occupation army in 2003 to be taken to the ECHR

Osman Karatas was shot on 3 February 2003, while being a guard at the 7th company of the 1st infantry regiments 3rd battalion. The occupation army announced to his family that he committed suicide. His father Ramazan Karatas did not believe this and began to investigate the issue. After a while he resorted to legal means through lawyer Oner Serifoglu.

According to the paper, Mr Karatas possesses serious evidence that his son did not commit suicide.

Mr Serifoglu submitted a written application to the so-called attorney general of the occupation regime, Akin Sait, asking for a ballistic report. Five months later Mr Sait gave a negative answer to this request. In his answer, Mr Sait said that there were threats and humiliating expressions in the letter of Mr Serifoglu and therefore he would not give him any information regarding the incident and did not feel the need to answer him. Mr Sait noted also that Mr Serifoglu was free to resort to any legal means he wished.

In statements to AFRIKA, the lawyer said they were preparing to bring the case to the ECHR.

I/Ts.

[09] Dairy products in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus are infected with Coliform bacteria

(DP)

[10] Rauf Denktas will host a television programme on Avrasya television

The programme will be broadcast once every two weeks and Rauf Denktas will share his views and experiences with the Turkish nation.

(DP)

X.Chr.

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article