Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-11-07

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] Mr Talat explains to Fikret Bila his decision not to accept the Bayram wishes flanked by the occupation forces commander and Turkey's illegal ambassador.

[02] The occupation regime is exerting efforts to hide the reality that Turkey rules the occupied part of Cyprus.

[03] NTV reported that Greece is trying to secure the properties of the minorities under the EU report on Turkey.

[04] The Turkish Prime Minister was asked to answer charges that Turkey handed over to CIA individuals without questioning.

[05] The "embargoed" held their annual general meeting in London.

[06] The self-styled Minister of Finance goes to Brussels for talks with EU officials.

[07] The self-styled mayor of Lefkosia flew to Strasbourg.

[08] The import of sugar in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus has been increased.

[09] Ancient tombs and a church are destroyed for the sake of constructions.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Talat explains to Fikret Bila his decision not to accept the bayram wishes flanked by the occupation forces commander and Turkey´s illegal ambassador

"Holding of two separate greeting receptions, on the occasion of the Ramazan Bayram in the TRNC (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) created controversy.

For 30 years, in all religious and official holidays the `TRNC President´ were receiving the greetings together with Turk's Ambassador to the `TRNC´ and the Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces. On this Ramazan Bayram Talat put an end to this arrangement. He received the bayram greetings alone.

Upon this development, Commander of the Peace Forces, Lieutenant General Hasan Memisoglu, did not attend Talat´s reception and he had organized a separate reception. In his turn, Turkey´s Ambassador to the `TRNC´, Ambassador Aydan Karahan did not attend both receptions.

Subtitle: `Are we a state or not?´

The `TRNC President´ Talat, considers the criticism directed to his new arrangement both `unfair and unnecessary´. During our yesterday´s meeting Talat considered right, the receiving of greetings by the `TRNC President´ and other officials as `hosts´ and that the former arrangement was casting shadow on the `TRNC´s´ independence. Talat made the following evaluation: `A state is represented by its president. The President is the head of the state. At the celebrations I have to represent the state. I believe in this and for this reason I did this arrangement. I do believe that this is true. There is noting to be offended from this. The arrangement is criticized for one thing; they say that in the past this was not the way. Yes, this was not the way, but it was wrong. Now we are doing the right thing. And from now on we will do this way.´

Subtitle: `Independence with shadow cast on it

Stressing that Turkey is the only country that recognizes the TRNC and as such it should support this arrangement, Talat said: `The TRNC is an independent state. And Turkey recognizes the TRNC. The TRNC is a separate state and a separate democracy. It has its separate democratic institutionalization activities. It is we who will exalt the TRNC. On the one hand one will defend these and on the other we will cast shadow on them, this is not the right way. This was tantamount to TRNC´s denying itself. In the old celebrations Turkey´s shadow was cast on the TRNC and simultaneously it was weakening us before the international community. Could you imagine, we do declare that the TRNC is an independent state but during the celebrations the TRNC President receives the greetings together with Turkey's Ambassador, the Commander of the Peace Forces, the Commander of the Domestic Security Forces, appointed by Turkey. They together act as hosts. On the other hand the TRNC´s Assembly Speaker and the Prime Minister cannot take part as hosts. They just come, greet and go. Is this a nice and right picture?"

Subtitle: `Actually it is me who is offended´

Saying that because of this arrangement neither in Turkey nor Turkey´s representatives here should be offended, Talat said: `While I was in the USA preparations for the reception were on, since I was not present I am not aware whether there were problems or developments afterwards. However, there is nothing neither for Turkey nor its representatives in the TRNC to get offended. On the contrary, my stance is more suitable to both Turkey´s and the TRNC´s thesis. The old arrangement was creating problems in the international relations. Actually, it was me who was being offended. Foreign diplomats used to come and we were talking. But they used to ask me `Where is your level of authority?´. Of course I was telling them I was `authorized´ but these questions were annoying me.

That kind of arrangements was the reasons that I was subject to such questions. Since the TRNC is an independent state and since Turkey recognizes this, then it is first Turkey that should be careful not to permit that shadow cast on the TRNC and on its independence. From now on we will use the same arrangement, be that the 15 November foundation celebrations or the 20 July celebrations".

(M/Y)

[02] The occupation regime is exerting efforts to hide the reality that Turkey rules the occupied part of Cyprus

The correspondent of NTV in the occupied part of Nicosia, Mr Selim Sayari broadcast, inter alia, the following:

"For the past 30 years, whenever the president received well-wishers during a Bayram, he did that together with the Turkish ambassador and the generals serving in Cyprus. .

Some say this is a reform, while others claim that it is the concrete sign of the radical change in the relations between the TRNC and Turkey. .So, the Turkish ambassador and the Turkish Armed Forces generals serving in Cyprus did not attend Talat's reception which, compared to previous years, was quite low key.

Again, for the first time, the Turkish generals received well-wishers at the regimental command in Nicosia. The reception hosted by Lieutenant General Hasan Memisoglu, commander of the Turkish peace forces in Cyprus; Major General Tevfik Ozkilic, commander of the security forces; and by division and brigade commanders was attended by former President Rauf Denktas and a large number of citizens.

Rauf Denktas described this sudden change in the Bayram tradition as a mistake and said it should be rectified. While replying to questions, Denktas said: do not pour gas into the flames; the old method used to symbolize the unity of force and of will between the Turkish Cypriot state and Turkey. There was no need to change that. It happened, but I hope it will be reconsidered and resolved. Rauf Denktas did not attend President Talat's reception.".

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (06.11.05) publishes a statement issued by the self - styled Turkish ambassador to the occupied part of Nicosia, Mr Aydan Karahan who said that he had not been invited to the reception of Mr Talat as he had not received a personal invitation. He noted that this year they exchanged messages with Mr Talat for the Bayram in writing.

Commenting on the issue, the columnist of AFRIKA (06.11.05) Mehmet Levent congratulates Mr Talat for his decision and describes this behaviour as "innovation, extremely positive and appreciable". He says that this is the most positive step made by Talat since he became self- styled president.

Mr Levent writes, inter alia, the following:

".If we consider this as the first step for the Turkish Cypriots becoming the master of their own home, it is our right to expect that more will follow. .For example, the temporary article 10 of the constitution which means that Turkey has unconditionally the sovereignty in northern Cyprus must be lifted. The Supreme Coordination Council which is tantamount to Turkey's fist must be abolished. The police must be taken away from the authority of the army and be bound to the civilian authority. We have to ensure that a Turkish Cypriot becomes the head of the Commandership of the Security Forces. We have also to appoint a Turkish Cypriot as the head of our Central Bank. We have to ensure that the right of the settlers to vote is abolished and only the Turkish Cypriots can vote in our elections. As you see, we have a lot of steps to make in the direction of being the master of our own house. .".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA (07.11.05) publishes the statement of Mr Talat to Turkish MILLIYET newspaper (06.11.05) under the banner front - page title "Make up for independence to the TRNC" and notes that "the aim of the new arrangement made at the presidential palace has been revealed".

Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (07.11.05) refers to the same issue under the banner front - page title "No shadow must fall on the independence" and writes, inter alia, the following:

".With the statements made yesterday, president Mehmet Ali Talat launches a new period. In the new period the prime minister and the president will be saved from the image of being governors of a province. The will of the people will become a matter of primary importance. The distorted ideas which were a continuation of the division and integration policies and saw 'the independence as a temporary event' will be abandoned. The 'secret military administration' of the country will end! Talat is not representing himself, but the independent will, identity and historical personality of the Turkish Cypriot people. .".

Turkish Cypriot daily OZGUR DUSUNCE (07.11.05) refers to the issue under the front-page banner title "Are we a state, or not?"

Turkish Cypriot CUMHURIYET newspaper (07.11.05) mouthpiece of Serdar Denktas' Democratic Party, comments on the issue in its main editorial and refers to the manner in which YENI DUZEN newspaper, mouthpiece of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) covered the event.

CUMHURIYET writes, inter alia, the following:

".If we try to comment on the issue by reading this behaviour of YENI DUZEN, we can put forward the hypothesis that the aim is to satisfy the rank and file of the CTP or a part of it. And this will be a justified hypothesis. A part of the party base of the CTP does not find radical enough the statements of Talat since he came to the post of the president and / or feels uncomfortable regarding the change of diction and accent, which is obviously seen. It is needed that they show a significant change between the old and the current situation so that Talat or the CTP do not face the accusation of 'becoming supporters of the status quo'. .".

Commenting on the statements of Mr Talat to MILLIYET, the paper notes:

".These statements of president Talat are important. Both Turkey and the TRNC are facing a big problem especially in the cases at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). This problem is related to power and authority. Until now, president Talat had not given the impression that he was seriously working on this problem. On the contrary, until now, there was the impression that the ECHR cases were focused on the headlines of the Compensation and Properties. However, this problem of power and authority was based on the foundation of Turkey continuously being the collocutor at the ECHR cases. Has president Talat been convinced that we must show to the international community that the sovereignty and the power in northern Cyprus belong to the TRNC? .".

I/Ts.

[03] NTV reported that Greece is trying to secure the properties of the minorities under the EU report on Turkey

"Passages have been added to the progress report and accession partnership document to be issued by the EU Commission on 9 November that would open the way for Greeks to claim their old immovable properties left in Turkey, or compensation for them.

At the initiative of Greece, an extensive space has been devoted in the 2005 progress report to the issue of the return of the old immovable properties to the minorities living in Turkey, or the payment of compensations for them.

With this silent initiative, Athens is aiming at securing compensation from Turkey for the Greeks whose immovable properties in Gokce Ada [Imvros], Bozca Ada [Tenedos], and Istanbul were confiscated.

It is being noted that the inclusion of this issue in Turkey's accession partnership document would, on the medium term, constitute a legal ground for Greeks to demand compensation from Turkey.

In its progress report, the EU Commission is also criticizing Turkey for its stance at NATO. Indicating that Turkey is preventing the Greek Cypriot sector from attending the joint EU-NATO meetings, the report says that Ankara is not displaying a constructive attitude on this issue.

The progress report also calls for the recognition of right of voting to foreign nationals living in Turkey".

[04] The Turkish Prime Minister was asked to answer charges that Turkey handed over to CIA individuals without questioning

"Ahmet Guryuz Ketenci, Secretary General of the Social Democratic Populist Party and a parliamentary deputy from Istanbul, has asked Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan whether some individuals were turned over to the CIA without questioning.

In a written statement Ketenci drew attention to a report broadcast by the Swedish State Radio. That report disclosed allegations that Turkish security agencies captured individuals suspected by the United States of being terrorists in operations inside and outside Turkey and turned them over to the CIA without questioning them. Ketenci said with reference to this report:

"It is known that a CIA plane that took off from Istanbul Airport on 7 March 2005 landed at Copenhagen Airport in Denmark and that it later landed at Rejkjavik Airport in Iceland after staying on the ground for 23 hours in Copenhagen. The plane later flew to the United States. In addition, The Washington Post, one of the most serious papers in the United States, alleged that the United States has established secret prisons in some east European countries. When all this information is put together Turkey is likely to face some very serious charges on international platforms in the coming days."

Ketenci said that he will submit a motion of inquiry on this issue in parliament requesting that Prime Minister Erdogan provide some answers.

Ketenci wants answers for the following questions: "Did the CIA plane that landed on Turkish soil on 7 March 2005 pick up any passengers from Turkey? If it did what were the names of these individuals? Did Turkish security agencies act as US contractors as alleged, capture certain individuals, and turn them over to the CIA without questioning them?"

[05] The "embargoed" held their annual general meeting in London

[06] The self-styled Minister of Finance goes to Brussels for talks with EU officials

In his Brussels contacts, Mr Uzun will be meeting with EU representatives to discuss technical issues involving who and where to invest the 259 million euro Financial Aid package. He will also meet Mr Duf Meb from the EU Parliament, Giles Portman, the British representative at the EU Council and Eva Koti the Hungarian Representative in the Council of EU Permanent Representatives.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily ORTAM newspaper (06.11.05), on its front page under the title "I do not want to put it secretly in my pocket!", reported that although Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and self-styled prime minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that they did not want the money, they are now taking action to secure the Aid package because its expiration date approaches. The paper reported that the self-styled Finance Minister has been dispatched to Brussels as the "Coordinator of the Financial Aid". The paper also reported that Talat and Soyer have been waging a war against the Communal Liberation Party and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, because they had said "Let's separate the two regulations, so the regulation of the Financial Aid comes into force".

(DPs)

[07] The self-styled mayor of Lefkosia flew to Strasbourg

Speaking yesterday, Mr Kutlay Erk referred to the meeting as a significant one for the Turkish Cypriot "people". Noting that they had waged a difficult struggle so that the "elected" Turkish Cypriot mayors in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus are represented in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Mr Erk expressed the hope that he will return with a positive outcome. The paper reported that the representation of the self-styled Turkish municipalities in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus will also be discussed at the Congress.

The self-styled Chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Union of Municipalities, Hüseyin Beyar, and the self-styled Mayor of Kyrenia, Sümer Aygın, will also be attending the Autumn Session of the Congress meeting due to take place in Strasbourg between 7-9 of November.

Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (07.11.05) reported that in the meantime, two self-styled deputies are going today to Brussels to attend a meeting organized by the European Security Contact Group.

Özdil Nami from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and Hasan Taçoy from the National Unity Party (UBP) will be participating in the meeting, where the latest developments on the Cyprus issue after the 3rd of October will be discussed

(DPs)

[08] The import of sugar in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus has been increased

Turkish Cypriot sugar importers said that there is a good possibility that sugar is sent to the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus. However, there was no demand from any company or individual from the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus to buy sugar, the paper reported.

(DPs)

[09] Ancient tombs and a church are destroyed for the sake of constructions

The paper also reported that the historical church of Panayia Apagu has vanished from the Turtles area in the occupied village of Rizokarpaso. The paper published a photo of the church as it was in 2001 and a 2005 photo which showed that the church had disappeared.

(DPs)

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