Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-02-27

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] COREPER has approved the release of the 139 million Euros worth of aid to the occupied areas

[02] The United States view on the direct trade

[03] Statements by Rasit Pertec on the COREPER decision

[04] Mr Gul describes COREPER decision on occupied Cyprus as unacceptable

[05] Mr Gul discussed the Cyprus Problem with Kofi Annan

[06] Erdogan on the COREPER decision

[07] Member of the European Parliament is in the occupied areas for contacts

[08] The occupation army arrested two Israelis

[09] Garry Robb is reportedly thinking to return to the occupied areas of Cyprus

[10] Money laundering in the occupied areas of Cyprus of Cyprus through the casinos

[11] Guler: Turkey is having big plans for Cyprus

[12] Talat is undergoing a heart operation

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Afrika: May Elections

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] COREPER has approved the release of the 139 million Euros worth of aid to the occupied areas

The approval of the aid had been stalled for two years due to disagreement on whether to separate the two regulations. 120 million of the 259 million euro aid package was lost at the turn of the year because the package was not approved by the end of 2005. The draft proposal will now need to be approved by the European Council.

Commenting on COREPERs decision, the ´Presidential Palace´ said that the Regulation was approved without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot Side with the aim of avoiding a Greek Cypriot veto. Complaining that the Regulation is far from meeting the Turkish Cypriots expectations, it called on the Committee to reconsider its decision.

In a written statement, the ´Presidential Palace´ said that the Turkish Cypriot Side was disappointed with the decision, which it says, may be harmful to a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and urged COREPER to call the Greek Cypriots to the negotiating table to discuss the United Nations peace plan.

The statement said that the Financial Assistance Regulation was approved with a cover note at the end of two weeks long intensive diplomacy by Austria which currently holds the EU term-Presidency.

It said that consultations were also made with the Turkish Cypriot Side during these two weeks in which the Turkish Cypriot Side conveyed its views, proposals and concerns about the Regulation to the EU Presidency, European Commission and members of the Union.

The statement says that the Turkish Cypriot Side didnt give its approval to the context of the cover note which refers to informal discussions held during the Luxembourgs EU Presidency with concern that it could open the way to take the agenda of the United Nations to the EU platform.

It underlines the need for future steps by the European Union and the implementation of the Regulation to be in respect and in support of a settlement to the Cyprus problem based on the basis of the United Nations.

On the same issue Turkish Cypriot Afrika newspaper (27/02/06) repeats that the decoupling of the regulations was a result of give and take between Turkey and the Greek Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots accepted the commencement of the Turkeys accession in talks with the EU and Ankara accepted the COREPER decision, writes Afrika.

[02] The United States view on the direct trade with the occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops part of Cyprus

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, the US State Department Spokesman Adam Ereli stated that it was legal for countries to directly trade with ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´.

Mr Ereli said: There should be trade and movement of people and goods between the world and the northern part of Cyprus; that is something which is important and good for the people of the northern part of Cyprus. He also added that this does not imply a change in the recognition of the status of the ´TRNC´ or is a deviation from Washingtons support for the Annan Plan and for a negotiated solution to the conflict on the basis of the plan.

Earlier, the Washington Times quoted US State Department officials as saying they were laying the foundation for the renewal of trade relations and saw the easing of the isolation of North Cyprus as the best way to reunify the island.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the areas of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops).

[03] Statements by Rasit Pertec on the COREPER decision

He said the Greek Cypriot Side could use the cover note which is unclear and open to misuse - to take the Cyprus issue to the EU-platform. Responding to journalists questions today, Mr Pertev complained of the unclear wording of the cover note, which he said, could pose a threat to undermine the Cyprus peace negotiations.

He said the danger is that the Greek Cypriot Side could misuse the cover note which was not approved by the Turkish Cypriot Side to take the Cyprus issue to the EU-platform.

Mr Pertev said that the Turkish Cypriot Side had explained to EU officials that the Union should be very careful in the implementation of the Regulation to make sure that new steps will be in support of a solution to the Cyprus problem under the aegis of the United Nations.

Complaining that the wording of the cover note was changed just to satisfy the Greek Cypriot Administration and to avoid a veto by it, he criticized the European Union, which he said, has always been working to please only the Greek Cypriots.

Underlining the need to find a solution to the Cyprus problem which has been continuing for more than 40 years, Mr Pertev said that the Union should call on the Greek Cypriot Side to return to the negotiating table to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem within the UN framework.

[04] Mr GUL describes COREPER decision on occupied Cyprus as unacceptable

Noting that the unilateral EU decision might cause new problems, Gul said that certain EU officials might hold talks in Turkey today. Replying to a question as to whether the TRNC might reject the aid package, he asserted that this is a decision to be made by the TRNC. He also asserted that Turkey's aid to the occupied areas of Cyprus totaled 10 or 100 times more than this aid thus far and that Turkey will continue to financially support the occupied areas of Cyprus. Turkey and the TRNC had called for the approval of the regulations without being separated, concluded NTV.

[05] The Turkish Foreign Minister discussed the Cyprus Problem with the U.N Secretary-General

Annan and Gul exchanged views about the Middle East problem, Iraq and the Cyprus issues during their half an hour meeting which took place prior to the international meeting in which the cartoon crisis was discussed.

Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan told reporters after the Annan-Gul meeting that Gul explained Turkey's point of view about the Middle East peace process and informed Annan about Turkey's initiatives and Hamas visit in that regard.

Annan told Mr Gul that Turkey's role was very important in that process and that he was grateful to Turkey for its Hamas initiative. ''I believe that it is an useful initiative. We had also discussed the issue of giving necessary messages to Hamas with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in our meeting in Davos. I had also stressed the importance of giving correct messages to Hamas,'' Annan said.

As to Cyprus, Gul explained Turkey's views, recent developments regarding its action plan for Cyprus and informed Annan about the need to end the isolation of ´TRNC´. Gul and Annan stressed once again that the platform to resolve Cyprus issue was the UN.

On Iraq, Mr Gul said that he had warned before the outbreak of war in Iraq that the Pandora's box was opened, adding that the crisis escalated recently. Gul said Turkey believed in taking urgent measures and making cooperation to stop this recent escalation, adding that Iraq's neighboring countries meetings were very important and they should reconvene. Gul also indicated that Turkey's special envoy for Iraq Oguz Celikkol went to the region and met Iraqi officials.

Annan said that he remembered Gul's views about Iraq (opening of Pandora's box) and stressed that Gul's views were very important and what he said about Iraq turned out to be right.

Annan said that he shared the views of Gul stressing that Iraq's neighboring countries platform was a useful initiative and it should convene again. Annan also told Gul that he was planning to call for a new meeting between UN Security Council permanent members and Iraq's neighboring countries.

[06] Erdogan on the COREPER decision

Referring to the recent decision of the EU concerning commercial relations with the occupied areas of Cyprus, Mr Erdogan said: "Whatever decision the EU takes, we will continue our trade with TRNC, and we expect the EU to fulfill its obligations and promises."

On the same issue illegal Bayrak television (26/02/06) broadcast the following: Speaking during the Justice and Development Partys Uskudar branchs 2nd congress, Mr. Erdogan evaluated the current situation on the island.

Reminding that the European Union had taken certain decisions regarding trade issues with northern Cyprus, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the Greek Cypriot administration was lobbying behind closed doors.

Now that Austria is the term president of the European Union it thinks that it will restart the negotiations process between the two sides in Cyprus, he added.

Explaining that the United States has also announced that it will start trade relations with the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´, the Turkish Prime Minister said there was no room for emotions in politics and called on the European Union to fulfill its promises to the Turkish Cypriot people.

[07] Member of the European Parliament is the occupied areas for contacts

The Euro-MP will meet Mr Mehmet Ali Talat and the self-styled Speaker of the illegal Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu. Sajjad Karim will also meet the Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas, political party leaders and members of the non-governmental organizations.

During the visit, the Euro-MP will also deliver a speech at the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce and will tour the Ledra Street barricade area. Mr. Karim is also expected to pay a visit to the Ledra Palace and Ayios Dometios crossing points and the closed city of Varosha.

The paper also reports that Mr Karim, member of the Liberal Democratic Party of the United Kingdom, will also meet British citizens who live in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[08] The occupation army arrested two Israelis for entering a restricted military area

Later the same day Ankara Anatolia reported the following from occupied Lefkosia: Each of the two Israelis was fined to 150 new Turkish liras (112.7 USD) for entering a restricted military zone in Maras region of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Nir Baruch, 21, and Omer Ginizburg, 22, entered TRNC from Ledra Palace border crossing on February 20th. They were detained after they entered restricted zone in Maras on February 21st, and appeared before court today. TRNC military court judge Cigdem Guzeler said that Baruch and Ginizburg would serve seven days in prison if they do not pay the fine.

[09] Garry Robb is reportedly thinking to return to the occupied areas of Cyprus

In the letter, which has been conveyed by Mr Robbs mother to the self-styled ministers of foreign and internal affairs, Mr Serdar Denktas and Ozkan Murat, the British businessman says he could return in case he is given the assurance that he will not be arrested.

It was known that Serdar Denktas and Murat have taken this application to the council of ministers and that they expressed a positive approach in this direction, writes VOLKAN noting that in case Mr Robb returns and fulfills his commitments the government will get rid of a big trouble as it had undertook the obligation to complete the constructions of AGA Development. Therefore, the breakaway regime has given its lawyers the instruction of studying this application from the legal point of view, notes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Money laundering in the occupied areas of Cyprus through the casinos

The paper writes that according to the report the so-called laws of the self-styled TRNC have not been able to solve the problem of money laundering.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (27.02.06) reports that the number of the persons addicted to gambling increases more and more every day. According to the paper, there are 21 casinos and 81 betting offices in the occupied areas of the Island. Many people recourse to psychiatrists for help. Facts show that persons between 30-40 years of age have become addicted to gambling.

Psychiatrist Dr Mehmet Cakici stated that in 2005, the number of those who asked help because of the gambling has increased. Noting that the industry of gambling is developed in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Cakici said: Gambling is an industry and it has some legs. Elements such as drag trafficking, money laundering, buying arms are together with gambling and mafia is running them.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Guler: Turkey is having big plans for Cyprus

We have provided the water and the electricity in Cyprus. We have many projects as regards Cyprus. There is a plan for sending water to Cyprus. Perhaps there is a plan for sending natural gas to Cyprus, he stated and added that they will not send these only to north Cyprus but to the south Cyprus as well. In our programme the human factor is very important, he noted.

[12] Talat to undergo cardiac by-pass surgery in Istanbul

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Afrika: May Elections

She has decided to take part in the parliamentary elections to be held in the south in May. And she officially put her candidacy on EDI whose Chairman is Michalis Papapetrou. She has explained the reasons why she had put her candidacy as follows: I will consider the votes that I will receive as the votes for peace. I put my candidacy like the other citizens who work, live, and pay their taxes and who have the same rights as any other citizen.

We will not criticize Nese Yasin for putting her candidacy. This is her decisionHowever; we have to say that we do not approve of her action. In this election there is an open and naked violation of our communitys political equality and partnership rights.

First of all the Greek Cypriot side is trampling upon the 1960 Constitution. According to this Constitution, which is still in force, in Cyprus one cannot hold mixed elections. They should be held separately. The Greeks Cypriots elect Greek Cypriot candidate and the Turks elect the Turkish Cypriot candidate.

As a matter of fact, the Greek Cypriot side relying on the present division on the island did not take into account one of the most basic articles of the constitution

It passed another law and arranged everything accordinglyThe elections will not only be mixed but they will also cast out the Turkish Cypriots living in the northIn the new law adopted recently it is stipulated that only Turkish Cypriots residing and living in the south have the right to elect and to be elected. This means that thousands of Turkish Cypriots who live in the north, who are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus are denied of this right.

Nese Yasin by being a candidate of a Greek Cypriot party appears to have no objection to mixed elections. However, we have We cannot remain silent when our right to be elected and to elect is being usurped in the Republic of Cyprus where we are the citizens. We will not allow openly trampling upon of the Cyprus Constitution where our partnership rights are included. We are doing serious work to this effect.

Those who believe that it is necessary that our 1960 rights should be demanded came together and their work reached its final stage. There will be mass applications for candidacy in the south. With a 50 person Turkish list. If there will be objection then there will be recourse to court Against those who trample upon the Constitution. If the Court in the south does not rule in favor of us and justify our demands we will go to the European Court of Human Rights. All the work that is being carried out to this effect will be publicized soon

Those who hold the reins in the north could gladly abandon our rights in the Republic of Cyprus to the Greek Cypriots However, we are firm to take back these rights.

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