Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-12-14

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Only the Republican Turkish Party supports the draft-law for the occupied Greek Cypriot properties in its current form; Reactions continue

[02] Talat: We are not obliged to give account

[03] Mr Akinci reminds of the de confrontation at Ledra Palace and calls for the same at Ledra Street

[04] The U.N. Secretariat calls on the sides to establish new proposals respecting the interest of both

[05] Azerbaijan supports a solution in Cyprus based on the international law

[06] SABAH: Erdogan might reshuffle the cabinet

[07] Turkish Minister was elected to the 3 member negotiation committee of the G 33 countries

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Commentary in Afrika argues that with the draft law it will be confirmed that the Greek Cypriot properties were seized with the Turkish occupation

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Only the Republican Turkish Party supports the draft-law for the occupied Greek Cypriot properties in its current form; Reactions continue

According to the paper, it seems that the draft-law will not pass from the self-styled assembly in the form that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Democratic Party (DP) government submitted it to the parliamentary committee for legal and political affairs, because only the CTP supports the draft-law as it is.

The paper writes that Dervis Eroglus National Unity Party (UBP) opposes the law, the DP wants amendments to be made in the draft-law, while the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH) does not see positively the law.

AFRIKA writes that the committee worked yesterday intensively in order to save Turkey from the trouble of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The paper writes that the chairman of the so-called Fighters Association, Vural Turkmen said that the Turkish Grand National Assembly should make this law, as the occupied areas of the Republic are considered as a part of Turkey. Let them not throw the ball on us, let them make this law, he added.

Under the title Only CTP supports the draft-law in its current form, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (14.12.05) reports that the DP, minor coalition partner, thinks that the draft-law is unacceptable with its current form. The stance of BDH is expected to be clarified tonight, notes KIBRIS while HALKIN SESI newspaper (14.12.05) publishes statements by BDHs General Secretary, Mr Mehmet Cakici who said that his party will vote against the draft-law and expressed the opinion that this law does not include the conditions which would bring about the early solution but it aims at gaining time.

KIBRIS writes that the chairman of the committee Mr Kadri Fellahoglu, MP with the CTP, expressed the belief that the draft-law should pass as soon as possible from the assembly and that the circumstances make this compulsory. Talking during the discussion of the issue yesterday, he said that there are decisions taken by the ECHR and that Turkey accepted these decisions. Mr Fellahoglu noted that they have to prevent decisions to be taken against them by making the necessary legal arrangements regarding the properties.

The deputy chairman of DP, Ertugrul Hasipoglu said that the organs of his party evaluate the issue and that the draft-law could not be accepted in its current form. He noted that the draft-law is contrary to the constitution and that it has to be harmonized with the constitution.

The MP of UBP Hasan Tacoy said that the draft-law is contrary to the constitution and that it is worse than the declaration prepared by the European Union regarding the Financial Aid and Direct Trade Regulations. Everybody, including the government of Turkey, opposes this declaration, added Mr Tacoy and wondered why then they are preparing a law worse than this.

The chairman of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation, Mrs Emine Erk said that their aim with this law is to create local remedies and bring all the cases regarding the properties to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (14.12.05) reports that during the closed-doors meeting of the above-mentioned committee regarding the draft-law on the occupied Greek Cypriot properties, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat asked from the members of the committee to accept urgently the draft-law and not to make amendments that will change its substance. He also asked from them to send the draft-law to the assembly until next Monday.

The paper writes that the chairman of Turkeys Republican Peoples Party (CHP), Deniz Baykal said that his party opposes the above-mentioned draft-law and that his party invited the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas to Ankara in order to discuss the developments on 22 December.

VOLKAN publishes also a mini public opinion poll, in which people were asked about the new draft-law. The paper notes that people are furious with the draft-law and say that they prefer to burn the houses instead of returning them to the Greek Cypriots.

Furthermore, the MP of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turan Comez expressed the opinion that this draft-law is a mistake and said that he believed that the self-styled assembly will not commit a mistake. He also argued that the Turkish government must not exert pressure on this issue.

[02] Talat: We are not obliged to give account

He went on and said that he was ready to discuss the demilitarization issue in case a serious proposal is made, however, he claimed, opening of the Ledra Street crossing has nothing to do with this.

Referring to the EU Financial Aid and Direct Trade regulations and the developments around these issues, Talat said: I would like to refer to a manipulation put on the table recently, and he tried to explain that the Turkish side did not reject the Financial Aid regulation.

He said that it was the Greek Cypriot side and not the Turkish side that wanted to separate the two regulations, that the Turkish side had warned the EU Commission for possible difficulties that will surface in implementing the regulations separately and that the Turkish side will not be responsible for these difficulties.

As for the declaration to be published together with the financial regulation, Talat claimed that the Declaration demanded by the Greek Cypriots had nothing to do with the trade.

He went on and disclosed certain provisions of the Declaration such as, returning of Varosha to its lawful owners and joint use of the Famagusta Port. Talat claimed that the Declaration stipulates that a joint company owned by the Turks and Greek Cypriots established in Liechtenstein would run the port. He said that they could not accept such thing.

[03] Mr Akinci reminds of the de confrontation at Ledra Palace and calls for the same at Ledra Street

Explaining that de-confrontation had been a success at the Ledra Palace crossing point in Lefkosia, Mr. Akinci said that allowing a similar practice at Ledra Street will remove the need for a footbridge and will make it easier for pedestrians to cross on both sides of the line.

In a statement today the BDH leader referred to a recent call by the UN on the Turkish side to halt the work currently going on at the Ledra Street not because it was violating the Buffer Zone but because it was being conducted without mutual consent.

This he added has brought a whole new dimension to the issue as both sides have entrenched their positions regarding the opening of a crossing point in the area. The two sides should try to find a solution by establishing a dialogue through UNFICYP, he said.

Mr. Akinci also expressed his disapproval of the construction of a footbridge at the Ledra Street adding that both sides should try to come to an agreement on the details concerning all the crossing points on the island.

[04] The U.N. Secretariat calls on the sides to establish new proposals respecting the interest of both

The letter, which is addressed to the leader of the Republican Turkish Party, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer, and the former leader of the United Democrats, Mr George Vasiliou, underlines the need for both sides on the island to work together towards achieving a common understanding on the proposed changes and to establish new proposals respecting the interests of both sides on the island as envisaged in the Annan Plan.

Mr Gambari also expressed the hope that the collaboration displayed by the two parties in preparing the letter to the UN Secretary - General will continue in the future.

[05] Azerbaijan supports a solution in Cyprus based on the international law

Speaking at a press conference in Baku today, the Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister expressed the belief that the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, will keep up his efforts aimed at facilitating a solution to the Cyprus problem. Pointing to the ongoing international efforts aimed at bringing about a solution to the problem, Mr Azimov said the current situation as regards the Cyprus issue is critical.

As for Azerbaijans decision to improve relations and establish closer ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) and the effect of this on Bakus relations with the European Union, the Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister pointed to the EUs already improving ties with North Cyprus and said this proves that Azerbaijans decision is a right step forward. He expressed the hope that a solution to the Cyprus problem will be found soon.

[06] SABAH: Erdogan might reshuffle the cabinet

The paper reports that according to the rumours going around in Ankara, Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu will become deputy Prime Minister and former Republican Peoples Party deputy Muharrem Eskiyapan, who resigned from his party and became Justice and Development Party (JDP) deputy, will have a ministerial post.

SABAH claims that Prime Minister Erdogan, prior to his visits to Australia and New Zealand, was received by President Necdet Sezer and discussed with him the cabinet reshuffle and the names that he wants to be Ministers.

A senior JDP official told the paper: There will be cabinet reshuffle after the budget approval. We have friends who are tired and lost excitement. Those who will replace them will bring new excitement to the cabinet. We are expecting similar changes in the JDP Group.

[07] Turkish Minister was elected to the 3 member negotiation committee of the G 33 countries

Members of the G-33 Group, comprised of developing countries including Turkey, met in Hong Kong today on the margin of the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Releasing a statement after the meeting, the member states said that the three-member committee, set up to conduct talks between G-33 countries and other groups, included Turkish, Kenyan and Dominican trade ministers.

According to the statement, the committee will meet representatives of G-20 countries later today.

On the other hand, after the G-33 meeting, Tuzmen had a brief meeting with WTO President Pascal Lamy.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Commentary in Afrika argues that with the draft law it will be confirmed that the Greek Cypriot properties were seized with the Turkish occupation

The 'Legal and Political Affairs Committee' of the Assembly is working assiduously these days.....

Ankara has put our men in such a work that they cannot have a break. And this job is not a joke. The Council of Europe has postponed its decision on the house of Loizidou for two months, but before us is the decision to be made in January on the case of Aresti from Famagusta.

For this reason this property law must be approved by the assembly and be implemented at once. If the Committee is working hard it is for this. It must be completed by January

It is a fact that nobody can endure such pressure on new years eve, but what can they do, the poor persons.

The order is from Ankara.. What can one do?

The Committee was very busy yesterday hosting many guests and listening to their views. Firstly the political parties and later the representatives of organizations..

This story is the case of those who made a mess out of the issue of the properties in Cyprus..

For a long time they usurped and loosted, now they are in panic on how to clear the situation.

Panic, what a panic.. The obligation: To save Turkey! Let us see what the Republican Turkish Party, which undertook a leading role in this resume operation, will do. Will it come out of this struggle with unblemished honour? If it does not come out clear will it be reprimanded by Ankara?

The poor Republican Turkish Party deputies are working with all their might day and night. If Erdogan does not assess well it will be a pity..

The best words uttered yesterday the guests of the Legal and Political Affairs Committee were by Vural Turkmen, President of the Fighters Association, who said: Since the TRNC is considered an extension of Turkey, in that case the Turkish Grand National Assembly should enact this law. Let them not throw the ball on us, but prepare the law in their own parliament.

Is he wrong? Are we going to go on shouting that we are an independent state and at the same time have Turkey make us enact whatever law it wishes?.......

The property law is the most clear proof that Turkey only thinks about its own interests and gives no damn about the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. If there are still some who do not want to see this, let them see it now.

However, there is another issue which they cannot perceive. This law, as the lawyer of Loizidou, Achilleas Demetriades said, implies that Turkey it self is declaring its own self to be the occupier on the island.

This law will confirm that the Greek Cypriot properties in the North were usurped with the Turkish occupation They do not count that in this way they are trying to avoid the rain but they are coming across a hailstorm

They do not know what they are doing because of their panic..

The drum is on their neck but the one drumming continuously is Turkey.

/ES

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