Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-02-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot reactions for President Putins statements on Cyprus.

[02] Gul comments on so-called Cyprus plan after his return from Britain.

[03] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers Mr Guls statements.

[04] Baykal attacks Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan.

[05] French Foreign Minister arrives in Turkey with delegation for talks.

[06] UBP will appeal to the Constitutional Court against the so-called property law.

[07] US Ambassador to Cyprus: Continue your economic development struggle.

[08] Illegal immigrants come to occupied Cyprus through Turkey.

[09] The football team of the TRNC will play with the national team of Monaco.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot reactions for President Putins statements on Cyprus

Referring to yesterdays statement by the Russian President, Mr Talat said that the international community has begun to recognize and appreciate the Turkish Cypriot people. He expressed the opinion that this appreciation might lead President Papadopoulos to the negotiating table.

Noting that he had witnessed Russias support to the Greek Cypriot side at many platforms in the past, Mr Talat argued that Moscows position was changed by the results of the 24 April referenda.

Mr Talat noted that President Putins statement does not mean that Russias policy for Cyprus has changed.

He said that the statement by Mr Putin was the result of the improvement of the relations between Moscow and Ankara and Turkeys campaign to explain the realities of the Cyprus problem. Mr Talat expressed the opinion that the fact that Turkey and Russia are economic partners especially in the field of energy played a significant role in President Putinīs making this statement.

Mr Talat added that the Cyprus issue was one of the main topics of all discussions between the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said that one of the reasons for Mr Putins statements is the fact that the American citizens can visit the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus without getting visas and that the Americans can move freely in the entire Cyprus.

Responding to a question, Mr Talat alleged that President Papadopulos was not in favor of a solution based on the parameters of the United Nations Security Council but added that he could still be encouraged to sit around the negotiation table.

Meanwhile, the paper writes that the self-styled Prime Minister of the TRNC (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus), Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer, said yesterday that Mr Putins statements are extremely important and that they were a sign that everybody began to see that the intransigent side is the Greek Cypriot leadership. Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey are in favour of the solution is extremely important, said Mr Soyer.

Furthermore, the self-styled deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the TRNC (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus), Mr Serdar Denktas said yesterday that Mr Putins statements are a sign of change in Russias policy on Cyprus and added that we will have a true picture of these words when they are put into practice.

Mr Denktas expressed the opinion that Mr Putins statements are more important messages from the point of view of tourism rather than being politically important.

He said: Things are going towards the right direction. That is, to the direction of showing balanced approach to the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides. Mr Putin expressed this by using the clear words north and south Cyprus. In case the international community treats both sides equally and reminds to the Greek Cypriot side that it has no sovereignty in the north, the Greek Cypriots will be motivated for a solution. Even if this is nothing concrete in this sense, it is a sign of a change of the classical Russian policy and we hope it continues.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (02.02.06) describes the statements as Shock by Putin, noting that they created shock in both communities on the Island and that they were made unexpectedly.

[02] Gul comments on so-called Cyprus plan after his return from Britain

Regarding Turkey's new action plan for Cyprus, Gul said that Turkey's initiative was appreciated by many, adding that the assessment on the plan continued.

Gul commented that although Greek Cypriots' first assessment on the plan was negative, he was sure that they would think about the plan once again.

'If we can't get any respond to our good intention and initiatives regarding the settlement of `the Cyprus problem-- in deed we took so many initiatives since 2003-- certainly Turkey and the `TRNCī will continue to do what they believe. Turkey's support to the `TRNCī has never weakened and it will continue on a stronger basis,' Gul said.

Noting that the `TRNCī stood on its feet with its democracy and economy today, Gul said that the number of tourists visiting the north of the island increased rapidly, new five-star hotels were being built and many statesmen, lastly British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw met Mr Mehmet Ali Talat despite all the obstacles.

''If no positive result comes out (for our initiatives), we will continue to walk on our path,'' Gul added.

[03] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers Mr Guls statements

The paper writes that Mr Gul said that the above-mentioned action plan would open the way for permanent solutions and expressed the opinion that the Greek Cypriots must examine it well. Otherwise, he added, the division of the Island will continue, everybody will go to his own direction and the hopes for reunification will decrease. Arguing that the Greek Cypriots rushed for issuing a statement on the action plan, Mr Gul alleged: If they (the Greek Cypriots) do not support our plan, the world will see that there is not response to Turkeys efforts for a solution.

According to the paper, Mr Gul noted that in this case Turkey will strengthen its support to the TRNC (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus).

Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (02.02.06) publishes the above-mentioned statements under the title Gul warned the Greek Cypriots for the last time.

Under the banner headlines We will continue our way with the TRNC, Turkish Cypriot daily CUMHURIYET newspaper (02.02.06) describes the statements as a message from Gul to the Papadopoulos Administration and the world regarding the Cyprus Action Plan.

Turkish Cypriot daily GUNES newspaper (02.02.06) publishes the statements under the title The hopes for reunification will decrease.

Under the title The division will be permanent, Turkish Cypriot daily ORTAM newspaper (02.02.06) writes that Mr Gul said that the current situation on the island could not continue and that in case it does continue they will increase their efforts for the recognition of the self-styled TRNC (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus).

[04] Baykal attacks Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan

Responding to Erdogan's accusation that he and Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos were speaking the same language, Baykal commented: "They first said that the embargoes would be lifted if the Annan plan was endorsed. The plan was approved but the embargoes are still in force. Thus, our step must be reciprocated. They must first ensure that."

Noting that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) had accused the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) of maintaining the stalemate, Baykal said: He (Erdogan) says that we are of the same view with Papadopoulos. Everybody knows the CHPīs Cyprus stance. You better put aside Papadopoulos and account for the statements that you have made where you were talking like the prisoner in Imrali (Tr note: Baykal implying PKK leader Ocalan in Imrali prison). Arenīt you the one that together with Papadopoulos tried to discredit Denktas? Arenīt you who accused Denktas together with Papadopoulos of following the policy of non-solution is a solution?

[05] French Foreign Minister arrives in Turkey with delegation for talks

During his two-day visit to Turkey, Mr Douste-Blazy will have meetings with the Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Mr Gul.

Mr Douste-Blazy will also meet the State Minister and chief negotiator Ali Babacan on Thursday morning.

It is reported that bilateral relations, international issues, Iraq, Iran's nuclear program, Cyprus and Turkey's new action plan on Cyprus will be discussed during Mr Douste-Blazy's talks. France, which has been silent on the said plan so far, is expected to display its stance during Douste-Blazy's visit to Ankara, according to Anatolia news agency.

The issue of bird flu is expected to be another topic in Mr Douste-Blazy's agenda and he is expected to meet Turkish Minister of Health Recep Akdag.

On the other hand, Douste-Blazy will meet members of the Turkish parliament, several NGOs and prominent Turkish businessmen and businesswomen. He will lay the foundation of a new French high school in Ankara.

French businessmen from Eurocopter, Ariane-Espace, Suez, Eutelsat, Veolia-Environnement, Areva, Alstom and Arcelor are accompanying the French minister.

[06] UBP will recourse to the Constitutional Court against the so-called property law

In statements to a television channel, Mr Ozgurgun noted that the law had been approved in spite of the fact that it is contrary to the so-called constitution and added: The most important for us, however, is that this draft-law puts bi-zonality in danger. It opens a debate about at least the two thirds of the territory of the `TRNCī. Therefore, in the direction of a decision by the Administrative Committee we will take the issue to the Constitutional Court within few days.

[07] US Ambassador to Cyprus: Continue your economic development struggle

During the meeting, ambassador Schilicher urged the KTSO members that they have to put aside the political non-solution and continue the economic development struggle.

He expressed the belief that the Turkish Cypriot businessmen have the capacity to demonstrate this struggle.

The paper reports that the meeting between the ambassador and the members of the board of directors of the KTSO, headed by its chairman Salih Tunar at the Chamberīs premises, was very friendly.

In a written statement, the KTOS welcomed Ambassadorīs visit which was the first visit to a NGO after arriving to Cyprus as ambassador.

During the meeting, notes the statement, Mr Tunar briefed the ambassador on the activities of KTSO, the Green Line regulation and the economic relations.

When the ambassador asked to be briefed on the business relations between the free areas and the occupied areas, the KTSO members complained that the trade relations with the free areas are not at a desired level, they are, more or less at a stand still.

They also discussed the so-called embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots.

[08] Illegal immigrants come to occupied Cyprus through Turkey

A total of 50 Mauritanians, Palestinians and Somalians who were trying to cross border illegally were arrested in Meric and Uzunkopru towns and Bosnakoy village of Edirne.

Meanwhile, gendarmerie arrested 14 Mauritanians and 9 Palestinians who were trying to sneak into Greece illegally in Karaburun town of Izmir.

Illegal migrants will be deported after legal procedures.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (02.02.06) reports that a new wave of illegal immigrants arrived in the occupied area of Cyprus.

The paper reports that Turkish occupation army coast guards, found a Turkish fishing boat, with 13 Syrian nationals as illegal migrants off the coast of occupied Ayios Ambrosios village.

The Turkish fishing boat with the illegal Syrian migrants was coming from Turkeyīs Mersin Port and was heading to the shores of the Karpass peninsula.

All 13 illegal migrants and the captain of the fishing boat were arrested waiting for trial.

[09] The football team of the TRNC will play with the national team of Monaco

The Turkish Cypriot team will remain in France for three days.

/SK

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