Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-02-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NTV reports that Sweden and Israel are following the footsteps of Jack Straw on Cyprus.

[02] KIBRISLI newspaper: While we say that we will become Taiwan, we are becoming Hatay!.

[03] The US Ambassador to Turkey on Base in Turkey for Iran operation and Straw´s attack against Cyprus.

[04] Statements on Cyprus by Gul to TRT.

[05] Statements by Gul before leaving for Jeddah. Reference to the realities of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus.

[06] TUSIAD to visit the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[07] CIA-MIT joint operation regarding containers destined for Iran.

[08] Ozgurgun new UBP leader.

[09] Turkey to construct three nuclear plants.

[10] Turkey is bargaining the purchase of attack helicopters.

[11] The latest on the bird flu in Turkey.

[12] Kurdish member of the PKK was killed in Northern Iraq.

[13] Plan for the economic development of Morphou area.

[14] HALKIN SESI reports that tourism in the occupied area is on the verge of crisis.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NTV reports that Sweden and Israel are following the footsteps of Jack Straw on Cyprus

Following the British move in support of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [KKTC], important steps are also being taken by Israel and Sweden. Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds, who gave full support to Turkey's Cyprus Action Plan, will go to Cyprus for talks with the Turkish and Greek sides. On the other hand, the leading Israeli firm TAHAL has won the water purification contract in northern Cyprus.

Offscreen reporter:

`Following British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's visit to the KKTC and his recent statements, other reports are reaching us that would please the Turkish Cypriots. TAHAL, one of the leading firms in Israel, has won the contract for sea water purification in the Bafra [occupied Vokolidha] region in northern Cyprus. Diplomatic circles interpret this move by the Israeli firm as harbinger of measures that the United States might be taking in the period ahead. The Israeli officials invited the KKTC Interior Minister Ozkan Murat to Israel to discuss the details of the water purification project. No date has yet been set for Murat's visit.

Another support for the Turkish Cypriots is also coming from Sweden. Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds has decided to visit the island. Freivalds will not contact the Greek Cypriot administration alone but will also cross over to northern Cyprus.

Sweden is giving full support to Turkey's Cyprus Action Plan. The Swedish officials are saying that they regard Turkey's initiative as an extremely positive and constructive step towards a comprehensive solution.

(Tr. Note: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the territories of the Republic of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops since 1974, when they invaded Cyprus killing 1% of the population, forcing 200,000 Greek Cypriots to flee their homes and properties at gun point and settling colonizers from Turkey in their homes.)

[02] KIBRISLI newspaper: While we say that we will become Taiwan, we are becoming Hatay!

In statements last night during a dinner organized by the Association for Culture and Solidarity of the persons coming from Hatay, the chairman of the Association, Abdullah Atlar said that they will ensure the continuation of the TRNC and called on all Turkish settlers living there to be united so that their problems are solved.

Noting that their Association is not under the control of any political party, Mr Atlar added that their aim was all citizens to live in a just and equal manner in the TRNC which they consider to be their homeland.

Noting that their Association operates for four years as a civilian organization having the mission of promoting the problems of the settlers from Hatay to the officials and contribute to their solution, Mr Atlar said to the participants in the meeting, inter alia, the following:

About twenty thousands of our fellow countrymen from Hatay, eight thousands of whom have become citizens, consider the TRNC to be their homeland and they have chosen to give shape to their future on this land. There is no other civilian organization which has the support of the power of twenty thousand persons. The main aim of this meeting is for the persons from Hatay to realize our power in the TRNC, to listen to your views and proposals regarding what we could do for our countrymen from now on and in the end to gather under the same roof all our citizens from Hatay and raise our people to a level they deserve in a powerful and determined manner. .

(I/Ts.)

[03] The US Ambassador to Turkey on Base in Turkey for Iran operation and Straw´s attack against Cyprus

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson said that the United States did not demand a base from Turkey for an operation on Iran.

Wilson met True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar in Ankara on Friday.

Speaking to reporters prior to the meeting, Wilson conveyed that the United States condemns the attack which occurred in (Bayrampasa district) Istanbul yesterday, killing one person and injuring 15 others (including 7 police officers). He noted that U.S. cooperation with Turkey will continue in fight against terrorism.

When reminded Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's statement as, "our border with Iran which was drawn in 1639 is older than U.S. history. We do not allow any attack on our neighbor via Turkey," Wilson said that the United States did not demand a base from Turkey for such an operation on Iran.

Wilson said that they welcome Turkey's sharing concern of the United States and international community about Iran's nuclear program.

Upon a question about British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's statements regarding Cyprus, Wilson said that he does not want to comment on the statement, adding that the United States supports Turkey's Cyprus Action Plan which was announced by Foreign Minister Gul a while ago.

Wilson noted that the plan is an important step to refresh Cyprus talks under the auspices of the UN.

[04] Statements on Cyprus by Gul to TRT

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said: "Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [KKTC] will no longer pay the bill on the Cyprus problem. Henceforth others will pay the bill."

In a statement to TRT Gul said that recent developments on the Cyprus problem are an answer to those who continue to argue that "Turkey's Cyprus policy is not good."

Gul said: "Turkey will no longer pay the bill with the KKTC. Others will pay the bill on the Cyprus problem. We paid so many bills we knew or did not know about or were aware or unaware of. We did so for no just reason. The Turkish Cypriots also paid so many bills. Now it is time for others to pay them. This is where our policies have taken this matter."

Noting the support expressed by Britain, Russia, and the EU for Turkey's initiatives on Cyprus, Gul commented on the intransigent posture of the Greek Cypriot side.

Gul said: "My wish is that the Greek Cypriot side will also act sensibly and calmly, that the Greek Cypriot side will also become a conciliatory side, that it will adopt a conciliatory posture, and that a just and feasible political solution will be found on the island. However if the Greek Cypriots insist on saying that 'we will not do anything toward an agreement,' then, of course, that is their business. In that case we will continue to perpetuate the KKTC resolutely."

[05] Statements by Gul before leaving for Jeddah. Reference to the realities of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus

''Any solution or initiative cannot be realistic as long as the realities of the island (Cyprus) are not taken into consideration,'' said Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure for Saudi Arabia (to attend 7th Jeddah Economic Forum), Gul said: ''Jeddah Economic Forum is an important platform where international leaders assess global developments. This year's theme is how to benefit from a common life covering cultural differences. I will deliver a speech in the forum.''

''I will also deliver a speech in a university, and meet Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faysal,'' added Gul.

When reminded of the statements of British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw who criticized the attitude of Greek Cypriot administration and said that such an attitude will pave the way for TRNC's recognition in time, Gul noted: ''Britain is a guarantor country in Cyprus. Straw's statements will arise attention in international area.''

''Many countries closely follow developments about Cyprus. Realities of the island should be understood not only by Turkey and TRNC, but also the whole world,'' he added.

Gul said: ''In spite of all objections, Straw visited the island and personally saw the realities of Cyprus. No solution is realistic without taking into consideration the realities of the island.'' ´´

[06] TUSIAD to visit the occupied areas of Cyprus

A delegation from the Society of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen TUSIAD - will be arriving in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus tomorrow to hold contacts on the island.

Within the framework of their contacts the delegation from TUSIAD is also expected to be received by President Mehmet Ali Talat.

The delegation which is led by Omer Sabanci will first pay a visit to the board of directors of the Cyprus Turkish Businessmens Association.

They will also be received by the Minister for Tourism and Economy Dervis Kemal Deniz.

[07] CIA-MIT joint operation regarding containers destined for Iran

It has been learned that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), in a joint operation, stopped three aluminum containers being sent from Italy to Iran for use in a nuclear reactor just as they were about to exit through Gurbulak [border gate].

The three aluminum containers, weighing 3,233 kilograms, which left the Italian city of Milan on two trucks belonging to a Turkish transport company and ostensibly were to be received by a company known as Shadi Oil Industries in Iran, are currently being held in the bonded warehouse at the Gurbulak Border Gate.

[08] Ozgurgun new UBP leader

Huseyin Ozgurgun became the new leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus on Saturday.

During the regular congress of the UBP, 956 delegates cast their votes to elect their new leader.

Ozgurgun won 546 votes while Tahsin Ertugruloglu got 410 votes.

Ozgurgun, who was born in Lefkosia in 1965, graduated from the Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences in 1988.

He has been acting as secretary-general of the UBP since December 27th, 2005.

[09] Turkey to construct three nuclear plants

Turkey, which intends to complete the construction of the first plant by 2015, will ask for technology transfer and a good financial package from foreign firms intending to participate in the projects.

The Washington correspondent of NTV, Mr Umit Enginsoy has reported that the details of Turkey's nuclear energy program are coming into the open. Energy Minister Hilmi Guler met American officials in Washington some days ago to assess the possibility of cooperation in this sphere. According to NTV's information, Turkey is planning to build three nuclear plants with an overall 5,000 Megawatt power over the next 15 years. The location and project blueprints for the one, or two, of the three nuclear plants Turkey plans to build in the next 15 years are expected to be announced by Prime Minister Erdogan within a month.

Considering that the plants will need huge amounts of water, eight possible coastal locations are being studied against 43 criteria. The projects are most likely to be implemented in the form of partnership between public and private sectors. Technology to be imported by foreign firms will be used in the project.

Turkey is planning to complete the construction of its first nuclear plant by 2015. Ankara will ask for new technology, technology transfer, a good financial package, and a sound waste disposal plan, concludes Umit Enginsoy.

[10] Turkey is bargaining the purchase of attack helicopters

Turkish Defense Industry Undersecretariat is expected to make a decision till end-June.

Sources told the A.A on Sunday that talks had been underway with the firms of Agusta Westland of Italy, Eurocopter of Germany-France, Denel of South Africa and Rosoboronexport of Russia.

The project will cost nearly 1.5 billion USD.

[11] The latest on the bird flu in Turkey

The number of bird flu positive cities rose from 37 to 39, stated Bird Flu National Coordination Center on Friday.

The center noted that the bird flu disease was detected in two more cities which are (northern) Samsun and (central) Tokat.

The number of bird flu suspected cities is 25, localities is 62, added the center.

A total of 1,820,000 poultry have been culled across Turkey due to bird flu so far.

[12] Kurdish member of the PKK was killed in Northern Iraq

Kani Yilmaz, a member of the terrorist PKK, has been killed in an explosion in his car in al-Sulaymaniyah, northern Iraq. Maj Gen Sarqat Hasan, Iraqi police chief, disclosed that the car in which Kani Yilmaz traveled exploded after it left a petrol station and that Yilmaz and another member of the organization were killed. It has been reported that the explosion was caused by a bomb attack.

[13] Plan for the economic development of Morphou area

Invoking information from the illegal TAK news agency, the paper writes that the aim of the plan is the economic and social development of Morphou through measures such as opening the above-mentioned area for tourism, increasing the possibilities for employment there, allotting plots of land to young people so that they remain in the area, creating a centre for craftsmen and merchants and supporting the agriculture.

The so-called Plan for Economic Development of Morphou Area which came at the stage of being applied under the coordination of the self-styled ministry of internal affairs, provides for significant openings in the fields of tourism, constructions, education and agriculture.

According to the plan, an area of two thousand donums (a land measure of about 1000 square meters) south of Ayia Irini village will be declared as tourist area. An area of 870 donums by the two-lane road which will be built in the west of the campus of the Middle East Technical University has been nationalized and it will be given to young persons as plots of land. It is estimated that about 1400 plots will be opened there. Another 400 plots will be given in the north of the small lake in the area of the occupied village of Ayia Irini. Furthermore an organized trade area will be established at occupied Kapouti village.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (13.02.06) reports that a company named CEM-HA Ltd is building a four-star hotel by the campus of the Middle East Technical University. The hotel named West Queen Hotel is expected to be completed in June 2006.

(I/Ts.)

[14] HALKIN SESI reports that tourism in the occupied area is on the verge of crisis

Former chairman of the Union of the Turkish Cypriot Travel Agents (KITSAB) and Director of the Roots Holidays, Ismail Cetin, has said:

There is 60% drop compared to other years in the summer reservations of the British tourists, who are the backbone of the TRNC tourism.

Mr Cetin told the newspaper that, among the reasons for the cancellation of reservations the bird flu in Makrasyka had an insignificant role and that the main reasons were: Increase in the air tickets and hotel accommodations and increase in the package tours.

Cetin went on and said that last year around 300 thousand tourists arrived in the occupied areas and this year there will a drop between 90-100 thousand in the tourist arrivals.

Cetin further said that the British tourists who prefer Kyrenia for their holiday, complained about the building boom and destruction of the natural beauty and of the historical sites.

He said that Kyrenia´s losing of its natural beauty was a disadvantage for the tourism. He also complained of overcharging and exorbitant prices.

The former chairman of the KITSAB urged the occupation regime to establish as soon as possible a crisis desk to deal with the problem.

/SK

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