Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-10-17

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

[A] NEW ITEMS

[01] Gul addressed a conference organized by the British Council in Istanbul.

[02] Committee formed by European politicians to support Turkeys EU process held a meeting in Istanbul.

[03] How the Turkish Foreign Minister sees the problems for Turkey from the occupation by 40,000 Turkish troops of the territories of EU Cyprus.

[04] Talat: Recognition of the TRNC and return to 1960 is not on the political agenda of today. He will be invited to the USA today by Douglas Silliman.

[05] The leader of Ankaras puppet regime in occupied Cyprus describes as positive the invitation to visit the USA.

[06] Yasar Yakis: Opening of the ports to the Cypriot registered ships is not the end of the world.

[07] British constructing on Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus fled to Taiwan with millions of dollars.

[08] The regime in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus is going to change its logo.

[09] The self-styled minister of interior stated that five thousand workers left and never returned to the occupied areas after the new immigration law was put into force.

[10] Akinci: The Normalization Package is not a surrender but a struggle proposal.

[11] Turkey is preparing to flex its military muscles in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.

[12] Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia speed up security of the East-West energy pipeline.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gul addressed a conference organized by the British Council in Istanbul.

Addressing a dinner hosted upon the start of a conference on Turkey-EU relations organized by the British Council, Center for European Reform and Turkish Foundation of Economic and Social Studies at Britain's Consulate General in Istanbul, Gul said that NGOs had an important role in Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU.

Turkey's membership was to the advantage of EU, Gul said, noting that the reform process in Turkey, particularly restructuring of the political, economic, social and judicial standards, would continue.

Referring to the good economic and social indications of Turkey, Gul said that Turkey's economy was ranked the 17th among world countries and that its annual growth rate was around 10 percent.

Turkey aimed to install security, stability, balance and harmony in its region, said Gul, stressing that Turkey had always been an element of balance in sensitive issues like the Middle East and Iraq. Turkey contributed to efforts of reconstruction in Iraq, resolution of Arab-Israeli conflict and clashes in South Caucasus.

Referring to Cyprus issue, Gul said: ''I still believe that Turkey, Greece and a united Cyprus will constitute the basis of peace in East Mediterranean.''

Turkey would continue its active contributions to producing fair, equal and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem in consultation with the UN, Gul said. ''We all expect EU to implement the decision it took on April 26th, 2004 for removing the restrictions on TRNC (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus''), Gul said.

''Europe is a super power and I believe that Europe will fulfill its global responsibilities in the 21st century. Turkey will contribute significantly to Europe in this process,'' Gul said.

Pointing out to the economic, politic and strategic contributions of Turkey's membership to EU, Gul said that ''Turkey has always been a good partner of EU and it will be a responsible, creative and energetic member in the future.''

The conference which aims to determine the things that need to be done in Turkey's membership process will continue in closed sessions on Saturday.

[02] Committee formed by European politicians to support Turkey´s EU process held a meeting in Istanbul

Independent Commission on Turkey Chairman Martti Ahtisaari said on Sunday that negotiations which started between Turkey and the EU should be carried out fairly.

Nine-member Independent Commission on Turkey formed to support Turkey's EU process held a press conference at Swissotel in Istanbul.

Ahtisaari noted that the commission would pay a visit to Turkey once a year during the negotiation process and hold talks in the country.

Stating that the commission would inform the EU on what was done in Turkey and work to promote Turkey in Europe, Ahtisaari stressed that the commission would also inform Turkey on demands of the EU.

Ahtisaari indicated that the commission members had meetings with Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, stating that they were pleased with the statement of PM Erdogan who said that the Turkish government aimed to cooperate with non-governmental organizations on its way to the EU.

Former Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van den Broek stated that some issues including the Cyprus issue should be solved, noting that what was important regarding the Cyprus issue was that peoples living on the island should solve their problems on their own.

Albert Rohan, former undersecretary of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, said that during the EU presidency of Austria, Turkey would be treated impartially.

Members of the Independent Commission on Turkey will depart from Istanbul later today.

[03] How the Turkish Foreign Minister sees the problems for Turkey from the occupation by 40,000 Turkish troops of the territories of EU Cyprus

As for comments that there will be problems experienced with the EU in 2006 on account of the Republic of Cyprus, (37% of the territories of which are occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops) and that these problems will emerge in terms of opening the ports and airports [to Cypriot ships and aircraft], Gul responded with an answer that went beyond the discourse that we have to date been accustomed to:

"One of the 25 members of the club that we are joining is a member that we do not recognize. Had Turkey not frittered away years without thinking that the country that it did not recognize was one day going to be taken into the club, it could have prevented it from becoming a member. It was strong enough to do so. But unfortunately, the policies evolved differently. Now we have two [alternative] paths in front of us: The first of these is to say that there is a member that we do not recognize, and that we cannot have anything to do with that member. This would mean sacrificing Turkey's long-term future of its 70 million people for 600 thousand people. The second is to continue with this process, with all its problems and struggles. I am not saying that the path before us is an ideal one. But this is the road that will be proceeded on. Those who are involved in change are unable to see the change."

[04] Talat: Recognition of the TRNC and return to 1960 is not on the political agenda of today. He will be invited to the USA today by Douglas Silliman

Talat went on and said that he will receive an invitation from the USA State Secretary Condoleezza Rice and that meeting with Blair in the beginning of 2006 is on the agenda. Talat declared that removing of the isolations will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The Cyprus problem will definitely be solved. However, if Papadopoulos does not change his policies the division will be deeper but not permanent. There is no indefinite division, this is against the course of history, Talat stressed.

The private TV channel NTV in its news bulletin today (17/10/05) announced that the invitation to Talat to visit the USA will be extended by Douglas Silliman, the deputy director of the South European Affairs Desk at the USA State Department, when the latter meets Talat today in the occupied areas.

NTV television (17/10/05, 10:00 a.m.) broadcast that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will visit on 28 October the U.S.A. (MY)

[05] The leader of Ankaras puppet regime in occupied Cyprus describes as positive the invitation to visit the USA

U.S. Department of State invited on Monday `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) to the U.S. on October. 28th.

Talat said that the invitation was a positive development, noting that "every step taken to understand and listen to Turkish Cypriots is a very positive step."

The invitation has been conveyed by Douglas Silliman, the Deputy Director of U.S. State Department's Office of Southeastern European Affairs, who met Talat the same day.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Douglas said that the invitation was part of the search for a settlement in Cyprus.

Talat stressed that the isolation of Turkish Cypriots who voted 'yes' in the referendum held on the island on April 24th, 2004, should end. Talat said that he would explain these issues to the U.S. Secretary of State and also the big transformation in Turkish Cypriot society.

Upon a question, Talat said that he would meet UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan if his program was suitable.

[06] Yasar Yakis: Opening of the ports to the Cypriot registered ships is not the end of the world

Giving Taiwan as example Yakis said that no government in Turkey will recognize the south Cyprus prior to a solution. On this Turkey is very firm, he said.

(MY)

[07] British constructing on Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus fled to Taiwan with millions of dollars

The paper reports that constructions started by the Aga Developers at 16 different locations in the occupied areas came to a halt. The affected foreigners who number 400 are bewildered and confused and they do not know what to do. The other partners of the company Tahir Soycan and Architect Kutsal Toktilioglu several times called Mr Robb to return to the occupied area but their call remain unanswered.

The paper publishes a photograph from a development project at occupied Klepini, in occupied Kyrenia with the caption: The construction of hundreds of dwellings near St. Omer tomb and the Klepini trough was stopped.

[08] The regime in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus is going to change its logo

For the necessary change a draft law has been adopted and published in the so-called official gazette of the occupation regime.

In the new logo, the white pigeon carries an olive branch with five olives on it that symbolizes the five regions of the occupied territories Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta, Morphou and Larnaca.

The erect pigeon symbolizes the Turkish Cypriots´ ambition to progress and move forward.

(MY)

[09] The self-styled minister of interior stated that five thousand workers left and never returned to the occupied areas after the new immigration law was put into force

The paper, which published the interview under banner headlines Five thousand people did not return, writes that Mr Murat stated that 10.800 workers left the occupied areas when the so-called new immigration law was put into force and five thousands of them did not return to occupied Cyprus. These persons had left the OTCR in the first place fearing punishment for their presence in the occupied areas, he said.

Mr Murat went on and said that since the date that the new immigration law entered into force, 37 thousand persons submitted application for work permit. He said that of the 37 thousand, seven thousands were for renewal application and 30 thousands were new applications. My Murat further said that they did not allow 2300 people to enter the occupied areas.

The self-styled minister added that in the past those who entered the OTCR with their ID card could work but now even those who enter the occupied areas using their passports cannot work unless they get a work-permit.

(C/S)

[10] Akinci: The Normalization Package is not a surrender but a struggle proposal

Mr Akinci, who was a quest in a television show, stated that his partys proposals should not be considered return to 1960. He said that the proposals derive, one hand, from the 1960s rights and on the other, from the framework of the Annan Plan. He also noted that the aim of the proposals is establishing a bi-zonal bi-communal federation in Cyprus.

Mr Akinci also said that together with the new parameters which were created after Turkey started accession negotiations with the EU on the 3rd of October, there is a provision that new policies be created as well regarding the Cyprus problem.

(C/S)

[11] Turkey is preparing to flex its military muscles in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus

The Greek Cypriot administration in south Cyprus has decided to hold military exercises, code named Nikiforos, from 18 to 23 October. Turkey is preparing to react by holding a separate military exercise in the northern part of the island.

The Greek Cypriot administration in south Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus] suspended their military exercises in accordance with the initiatives made by Britain and the United States in 2001. However, the Greek Cypriot administration recently disclosed that it will hold the Nikiforos exercises, which it suspended for four years.

Greece supported the Nikiforos exercises in the past, but it has been reported that it will not participate in them this year.

The Greek Cypriot administration will hold the exercises from 18 to 23 October. Considering the development, Turkey has started to prepare for its exercises in the north, code named Toros.

A military exercise will be held in the KKTC (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) if the Greek Cypriot administration holds the Nikiforos exercises. The Turkish side's exercises will be coordinated by the Turkish Cypriot Security Forces Command.

According to the diplomatic sources, the Greek Cypriot administration is trying to influence Turkey's talks with the EU by creating tension on the island.

[12] Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia speed up security of the East-West energy pipeline

The Joint Pipeline Security Commission, which was established in accordance the "Protocol Among Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia Relating to the Provision of Security for the East-West Energy Corridor", held its first meeting in Ankara on Friday.

A joint press release was issued after the meeting noting that "the delegations made presentations on the state of preparedness in their countries with respect to security and protection of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. In this context, they had detailed exchange of views regarding the threat assessment, security situation in the region, training of security personnel, equipment and cross border cooperation in times of crises."

"Delegations also explored the possibilities of furthering cooperation among the three countries on all aspects of the security of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The Delegations agreed that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline which is the major component of East-West Energy Corridor will substantially contribute to the global energy security when the first oil will be loaded on tankers from Ceyhan soon," it was stated.

The second meeting of the Joint Pipeline Commission will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan during the first half of 2006.

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