Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-03-07

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Prime Minister openly declares that the aim of Turkey sitting at the negotiation table is the recognition of the TRNC.

[02] More statements by Erdogan on Turkeys Cyprus policy.

[03] The European Parliament Contact Group held contacts in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[04] Statements by Soyer after meeting the EP Contact Group.5.Matthew Bryza met Gambari. Statements by Ereli.

[06] Brian Kelly brings clarification to Paris statement.

[07] The Turkish Cypriots are searching for excuses to avoid negotiations. Statements by Rasit Pertev.

[08] The Spanish Foreign Minister has warned that a new negotiations process should be arranged well to prevent the risk of failure.

[09] Turkish Cypriot businessmen are holding contacts in Ankara.

[10] Clarificaitons by Gul on the Greater Middle East Project.

[11] Different understanding by the US and Turkey on the Montreux Treaty.

[12] Media campaign against Erdogan.

[13] Indictment against General Buyukanit, Army Officers.

[14] Jewish lobby leader to visit Ankara.

[15] The owner of Cyprus Paradise travel agency to sue Thomson Holidays and CTO.

[16] CYPRUS TODAY: Cyprus paradise boss hails Thomson U-turn.

[17] The breakaway regime ready to receive Gary Robb back.

[18] June 25 the date for the Municipal elections.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Prime Minister openly declares that the aim of Turkey sitting at the negotiation table is the recognition of the TRNC

Commenting on Turkey's relations with the EU, Erdogan said that the ongoing screening process as part of the negotiations with the EU would be completed by the end of 2006. Reminding that some circles had criticized them for "selling out Cyprus," Erdogan said that nobody would be able to discredit the AKP by such slander. He went on saying: "Our government has ensured that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus won unprecedented international recognition. We achieved that by sitting at the negotiating table rather than leaving it. We will continue doing the same in the future. We will never avoid negotiations. We will be one step ahead of the Greek Cypriots. We are now 11 steps ahead of them as a result of our 10-item action plan. The Greek Cypriots have yet to comprehend that proposal. We will always be on the offensive. Friendship is our main weapon and hostility is our biggest enemy. We are definitely against hostilities and we are here to make friends rather than enemies."

Commenting on the recent developments in Iraq, Erdogan stated: "We are fulfilling a function in the Middle East and some people ask whether or not it was timely. Why are they concerned? Is it up to them to determine its timing? We are the ones to make that decision."

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime the Turkish Republic set up in occupied Cyprus through the force of arms of the 40,000 occupation troops).

[02] More statements by Erdogan on Turkey´s Cyprus policy

Speaking in Bornova, the prime minister criticized the Republican People's Party [CHP]. He said: Ataturk founded the CHP but his heirs betrayed his legacy.

Referring to Turkey's EU bid, Prime Minister said:

Some say that we are going to give Cyprus away. We want them to know that we have not betrayed the legacy of our martyrs and war veterans until today and we will not betray it from now on. Everyone should realize that. Nobody can slander the AKP government in this way. Nobody has the right to do that. Our critics speak but we act. They flee the negotiating table, but we sit at the negotiating table and conduct our business there.

[03] The European Parliament Contact Group held contacts in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Members of the European Parliaments High Level Contact Group have arrived on the island for a series of contacts with the two sides, and to make soundings on how best the European Parliaments resolutions aimed at helping ease the Turkish Cypriot sides international isolation can be put to practice.

The group has already embarked on its contacts in the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´.

The eight-member delegation led by the French parliamentarian Francoise Grossetete was unable to meet `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat, because the `President´ is still resting in Istanbul after his heart surgery there.

Instead, the EP delegation was received by the `Acting President´ Fatma Ekenoglu at the `Presidential Palace´.

No cameras or still-cameras were allowed to cover the delegations arrival at the `TRNC Presidential Palace´; but they were later allowed to shoot scenes of the `Acting President´ and her `Undersecretary´ Rasit Pertev welcoming the EU delegation.

No statement was issued afterwards.

The `Acting President´ Fatma Ekenoglu told a press conference after the meeting, that the EP delegation was told of how the Annan Plan debate had been lived through in Cyprus.

She said the parliamentarians were reminded of the promises made by the European Union to Turkish Cypriots after the approval of the Annan Plan by the Turkish Cypriot side, and the Unions failure to respect these promises.

The UN Secretary-Generals statement soon after the referendum in April 2004 in which he clearly said there was no reason left for the continuation of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot side was also reminded to the deputies, she said, adding, that the members of the delegation were also told of the grave fact that the isolation still remains intact, today.

It is totally unfounded to claim that the lifting of the international isolation will amount to recognition of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ she stressed, accusing the Greek Cypriot side of doing everything needed to corner the Turkish Cypriot side.

The lifting of the isolation will only help the Turkish economy prosper and become a matching economy to that of the Greek Cypriot south; and this is the only path that Greek Cypriots will ever want to return to the negotiating table, she said.

The parameters for fresh negotiations on the Cyprus issue are well known; the only thing left is for the Greek Cypriot side to list the changes it wants to be made in the Annan Plan she stated, underlining the fact that the ongoing non-solution of the Cyprus problem does not affect the Greek Cypriot side, but only the Turkish Cypriot side.

A solution to the Cyprus problem must be a bizonal federal one, and safeguard the two sides political equality, she added.

`Acting President´ Fatma Ekenoglu in an indirect criticism of the European Parliaments reference to the `TRNC´ and Turkish Cypriots as the Cypriot Community in the Northern part of the island, said: We are Turkish Cypriots, and will never abandon our identity.

We can see there are German, French, Austrian and Polish deputies among the members of the European Parliaments delegation here with us today. This is what Europe is all about. This is what makes the Union richer. And this is why we - Turkish Cypriots, want to be represented as Turkish Cypriots she stressed.

The `Acting President´ said the `Turkish Peace Forces´ in Cyprus may only be withdrawn from Cyprus after a solution to the Cyprus problem has been found.

As for the return of displaced persons to their former places, she said that conditions under which such people will be able to return to their places are spelled clearly in the Annan Plan.

Turkish Cypriots have approved the Annan Plan, fully aware of the envisaged details she said.

The delegation was later received by `Prime Minister´ Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Mr Soyer told the media after the hour-and-a-half long meeting, that his discussion with the members of the delegation had been fruitful and very useful.

He said hed told the Euro MP´s of the Turkish Cypriot sides readiness to work for a federal solution to the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the two sides in Cyprus.

He said the Turkish Cypriot `People´ remains committed to a solution that will reflect - what has become known as the 24th of April Will

We the Turkish Cypriots are strongly devoted and strongly advocate a solution and a United Cyprus, he said.

As for the protests staged against the Euro MP´s, the `Prime Minister´ agreed that this was a saddening event.

He said nationalist forces in both sides in Cyprus have always tried to poison peaceful atmosphere in Cyprus.

Earlier, the members of the EP delegation had a working lunch with the Mayor of (occupied) Lefkosia, Kutlay Erk.

The delegation is also having contacts with representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations.

The group will be holding a press conference in Lefkosia tomorrow, and leave the island on Wednesday.

The EP delegation will present a report to the European Parliaments Foreign Relations Committee at the end of its contacts on the island.

Some non-governmental organizations, including the junior partner of the ruling CTP-DP coalition `government´ - the Democrat Party, have protested the visit by the EP Delegation, citing the delegations reference to the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ and the Turkish Cypriot `People´ as the Cypriot Community in the Northern part of the island.

The leader of the Democrat Party `Deputy Prime Minister´ Serdar Denktas cancelled his scheduled meeting with the delegation, and his party held a protest meeting in front of the `TRNC Presidents Office´ as the delegation was being received by the `Acting President´ Fatma Ekenoglu.

Eggs were thrown at the front windscreen of the coach carrying the members of the delegation.

Addressing the protestors in front of the Democrat Party, Serdar Denktas said the protests were not directly against all members of the European Parliament, but to the understanding and approach adopted by the delegation and its members.

This protest is a reflection of the discontent arising from the disrespect to Turkish Cypriot Identity he said, in a strongly worded speech.

Mr Papadopoulos is, at the moment, in a position of occupying a partnership republic, that should be made up of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, together.

Now, it appears, he is telling the world that Turkish Cypriots do not exist, and that they have no identity of their own; and sadly, it seems he has been successful in that, he said.

He said more democratic protests may be held if the disrespect to Turkish Cypriots continues.

The main opposition leader Huseyin Ozgurgun too boycotted the meeting with the EU delegation, and sent a senior member of the National Unity Party to the meeting.

The UBP too is protesting the EP delegations reference to the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ and the Turkish Cypriot `People´ as the Cypriot Community in the Northern Part of the Island.

[04] Statements by Soyer after meeting the EP Contact Group

KKTC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that he had a very useful meeting with the Contact Group of the European Parliament [EP] and that he "explained to the delegation, which was comprised of representatives of different political groupings, the basic goals and parameters of the Turkish Cypriot people in the solution of the Cyprus problem."

Prime Minister Soyer had a meeting with the EP Contact Group, headed by French parliamentarian Francoise Grossetete, at the EU Coordination Center in Nicosia. In a statement after the meeting Soyer said: "We explained emphatically that the Turkish Cypriot people favors a bizonal solution and a united Cyprus based on political equality and federal principles and associated with the will expressed on 24 April."

Stating that the link between the lifting of the isolation of north Cyprus and Turkey's action plan was also discussed, Soyer said that he told the delegation that "this is an extremely positive climate which can help Turkey to make progress in the EU process and which can also contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem."

Stating that the "Turkish Cypriot people have a right to meet with the world," Soyer said: "We underscored that the lifting of the isolation would be the most important factor to help the Turkish Cypriot people to integrate with the world and to develop and advance its economy." He continued: "Greek Cypriots are proud to be Greek Cypriots. We should really be proud about bringing together all national and communal institutions within the framework of democratic unity and equality of rights even as we remain committed to European values. We underscored this."

Answering a question on whether he "accepts the results of the meeting held in Paris between UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan and Greek Cypriot administration leader Tassos Papadopoulos," Soyer said that he has "made numerous statements on this issue," and that "President Mehmet Ali Talat has sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General saying that Turkish Cypriots are ready for negotiations and to form committees on technical issues."

Noting that "these issues were decided at the meeting in Paris" and that "[the Turkish Cypriot side] wants the negotiations to resume," Soyer said that "[the Turkish Cypriot side] expects to start negotiations for a solution based on the Annan plan" and that, however, "this requires Papadopoulos to submit proposals for changes in the Annan plan."

The EP Contact Group later had a meeting with a delegation headed by Peace and Democracy Movement General Chairman Mustafa Akinci.

[05] Matthew Bryza met Gambari. Statements by Ereli

The Cyprus issue was discussed at a meeting between the United Nations Secretary-General´s Permanent Undersecretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari and the US-deputy-Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza.

Commenting on the meeting which took place in Washington, the US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli called it as fruitful.

Speaking at a press conference, the spokesman stressed that Washington will continue to support all initiatives by the United Nations towards the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations process.

He said that during the meeting, Washingtons support for a solution based on the Annan plan and for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations process was expressed.

Noting that the United Nations should continue to play a leading role in the efforts aimed at bringing about a settlement to the problem, the US spokesman said Washington wants the UN and the UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser to work with the two communities on the island.

Expressing the belief that a document acceptable for both sides- could come out from their talks, he said that the US administration will continue to support all efforts towards achieving progress on the issue.

[06] Brian Kelly brings clarification to Paris statement

UNFICYP spokesperson Brian Kelly has been replying to the BRTs questions on the statement issued in Paris earlier this week after the meeting between the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos.

Responding to one of our questions, the UN Spokesman strongly underpinned the fact that the joint statement must not be taken as a pre-emptive one, but only as a comment.

It is quite clear that the Secretary-General did not and would not commit to a course of action that had not been discussed and agreed by both of the principle interlocutors on Cyprus he said, stressing that the nature of the proposed technical level discussions between the two sides in Cyprus will only be at a level to address non-political, practical matters of common concern.

[07] The Turkish Cypriots are searching for excuses to avoid negotiations. Statements by Rasit Pertev

The Presidential Undersecretary Rasid Pertev has accused the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Tassos Papadopoulos of trying to exploit the technical committees which are to be set up for bi-communal talks on day-by-day difficulties being faced and on humanitarian issues.

He said that the Greek Cypriot Leader is trying to gain points as the May parliamentary elections in South Cyprus approach.

Speaking to the BRT, the Presidential Undersecretary said that Mr Papadopoulos tried to give the impression that the Greek Cypriot Side has the good will towards a solution and that it is ready to set up committees both on the Cyprus problem and other issues.

He explained that the Turkish Cypriot Side had approved the setting up of technical committees with the aim of bringing solutions to day-by-day problems but said talks at technical level can in no way replace comprehensive negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

Referring to the meeting between the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Mr Papadopoulos, he said that in spite of attempts by Mr Papadopoulos to show the Greek Cypriot Side as having the good will towards a solution, Mr Annan said during a joint press conference that there are differences between the Greek Cypriot Administrations policies and acts.

Underlying the fact that the Greek Cypriot Leaders call on Mr Annan for the immediate start of the negotiations process did not reflect the realities, Mr Pertev reminded that the UN Secretary-General was not convinced that there is the necessary ground for the resumption of the talks between the two sides and that he didnt appoint any new Special Adviser to Cyprus.

He also pointed to the differences between the views voiced by Mr Annan at the joint press conference and the statement which was said to be a joint one issued after the meeting, and said that the Turkish Cypriot Side demanded an explanation from the UN General Secretariat on the issue.

Pointing to another difference between Mr Annans words and the statement issued, he reminded that Mr Papadopoulos said that the European Union will be involved in the Cyprus negotiations process while the UN Secretary-General rejected this.

[08] The Spanish Foreign Minister has warned that a new negotiations process should be arranged well to prevent the risk of failure

The Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has warned that a new negotiations process towards solving the Cyprus issue should be well prepared so as to avert another failure.

Mr Moratinos added that Spain will continue to support a settlement to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the United Nations as has been the case in the past.

Speaking to the Anatolian news agency, the Spanish Foreign Minister expressed the belief that a solution to the problem will bring stability and peace to the region and will also contribute to Turkey-EU relations.

[09] Turkish Cypriot businessmen are holding contacts in Ankara

A joint delegation from the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Industry is in Ankara for contacts.

The latest developments on the Cyprus issue and on the two regulations prepared by the European Commission for North Cyprus, are on top of the agenda of the Ankara discussions.

The delegation led by the Presidents of the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Industry Erdil Nami and Salih Tunar respectively, was received by the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and the Minister of State deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener this afternoon.

Tomorrow, members of the delegation will have discussions with the Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy-Undersecretary Ertugrul Apakan.

[10] Clarificaitons by Gul on the Greater Middle East Project

In a written reply to a motion by Mustafa Ozyurek, Republican People's Party deputy from Mersin, Abdullah Gul said that Turkey welcomes the reforms realized by the regional countries and their peoples. He said that regional problems, including the problem between the Palestinians and Israel, must not be ignored if reforms are to be successfully realized.

[11] Different understanding by the US and Turkey on the Montreux Treaty

[12] Media campaign against Erdogan

are playing a game with Erdogan. They have some of their newspapers criticize him and his government very strongly while some other dailies take a more understanding tone. You only have to look at the newspapers of the Dogan group to understand what we mean. Mass-circulation daily HURRIYET tries to butter the prime minister up while dailies RADIKAL and MILLIYET lambaste the government ..."

[13] Indictment against General Buyukanit, Army Officers

It was revealed that Sarikaya had also brought charges against General Yasar Buyukanit, Chief of the Ground Forces, for "establishing an organization," "drawing fake documents," and "abusing his position" in addition to the charge of "trying to influence a fair trial process."

Sarikaya separated the dossier from the others relating to the case in order to send it to the Chief Prosecutor of the General Staff for taking action against Buyukanit, who is accused of committing those acts from 1997 through 2000, and other military officers, who worked as his subordinates during that period.

MILLIYET yesterday run a report under a banner headline, which said that Sarikaya had sent the dossier to the Public Prosecutor of the General Staff, asserting that Buyukanit, who had earlier said that he knew Ali Kaya, one of the non-commissioned officers accused of carrying out a bomb attack, personally and described him as "a good boy, had committed an offense by "trying to influence a fair trial process."

According to sources, Sarikaya also concluded that legal proceedings should be brought against Buyukanit also for "establishing an organization," "drawing up fake documents," and "abusing his position."

The indictment stated that the dossier did not fall within the ambit of the public prosecutor's powers and it would, therefore, be sent to the Public Prosecutor of the General Staff for bringing charges against Buyukanit and the other military officers, who worked as his subordinates during the period in question, for establishing an organization, drawing up fake documents, and abusing his position based on a statement made by Mehmet Ali Altindag, a businessman in Diyarbakir.

If it gets authorization from Chief of the General Staff Hilmi Ozkok, the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor of the General Staff will launch an investigation into the four charges leveled at Buyukanit.

Altindag said in his statement, which led to the accusations against Buyukanit, that non-commissioned officer Kaya was known as "Ali from Mutki," and made the following allegations:

"I was detained after Kaya had drawn up fake documents alleging that I had donated $350,000 to the PKK. My son and a friend of him died in a traffic accident during that period. There was an illegal group consisting of the chief public prosecutor of the State Security Court, Ali Ihsan Kaya, a businessmen, two PKK informers, Chief of Staff of the Army Corps, a senior colonel, a major, and a captain. Buyukanit, who served as the commander of the Seventh Army Corps from 1997 through 2000, was aware of those facts."

The indictment about the Semdinli incidents states that Ali Kaya and Ozcan Ildeniz, petty officers remanded in custody, and Veysel Ates, a PKK informent should be given a life sentence.

The indictment says that the petty officers, who had received orders from Erhan Kubat, commander of Hakkari Provincial Gendarmerie Regiment, to gather intelligence, decided to carry out a bomb attack on Umut Bookstore in Semdinli.

According to the indictment, it was established that the defendants had telephone conversations shortly before the attack. Pointing out that the defendants claimed that they were in a car despite that finding, the indictment concluded that people sitting next to each other would not need to call each other by phone. It concludes that the petty officers were responsible for the attack.

The indictment notes that a total of 18 bomb explosions have taken place in the region since August and excerpts passages from statements made by some security officials in Semdinli. It says that all the explosions except for two claimed by the PKK gave rise to suspicions. The indictment lists the objectives of the group formed by the petty officers as follows:

- Ensuring that political identity built on cultural identity becomes over-reactive so that an environment conducive to provoking people into acts of violence can be created.

- Setting the stage for harsh measures to be taken by the government by overstating a perceived threat from the political identity, which will become over-reactive after the first phase.

- Paving the way for using security chaos in the region, which will be caused as a result of the first and second phases, as a tool for putting pressure on political authority.

Expanding on the illegal group made up of the petty officers, Sarikaya's indictment states: "In light of the recent developments and incidents witnessed, it appears that a mechanism of chain reaction composed of links connected to each other or an illegal organization, which is usually described as a gang by the media, was established."

[14] Jewish lobby leader to visit Ankara

The paper reports that Mr Wexler will convey to the Turkish officials the message: We could not guarantee the Jewish Lobbys support against the Armenian genocide bill to be brought before the US Congress. You have shocked us by hosting Hamas. SABAH says that the Turkish Foreign Ministry diplomats are worried about the Jewish Lobbys withdrawal of support for Turkey. The Foreign Ministry is trying to convince the Jewish Lobby to continue to extend support for Turkey.

[15] The owner of Cyprus Paradise travel agency to sue Thomson Holidays and CTO

In statements to KIBRIS newspaper Mr Suleyman said that as a result of pressure from the CTO, Thomson Holidays tour operators withdrew from its offices the brochures of Cyprus Paradise which promote the occupied areas of Cyprus and broke the agreement they had with them.

Mr Suleyman said: Putting the brochures into their place will not satisfy me. I will file charges. My aim is to eliminate and stop the injustices made against us for years by the Greek Cypriots.

Mr Suleyman also said that since CTO is not a company registered in England the court case will be opened in Cyprus and adds: The way they open cases against the British who buy houses in the north, because they are EU, we too can open a case in Cyprus. We can do to them what they are doing to the British.

Mr Alan Suleyman also said that another British tour operator the Going Places refused to withdraw the brochures promoting the occupied areas telling CTO not to involve them in politics.

The paper concludes: In 1976 for the first time the Greek Cypriots opened a court case claiming that `Roks Otel´ belonged to them, but at the end of the case the decision was made that the right to use the hotels belongs to `North Cyprus´ and they lost the case. After this case, and despite all the pressure from the Greek Cypriots the tour operators continue for years to market the hotels in `North Cyprus´.

[16] CYPRUS TODAY: Cyprus paradise boss hails Thomson U-turn

British travel giant Thomson has backed down and put North Cyprus holiday brochures back on the shelves of nearly 800 branches across the UK, a week after withdrawing them under pressure from Greek Cypriot tourism officials.

Alan Suleyman, owner of the London-based Cyprus Paradise tour operator which had threatened to sue Thomson for breach of contract hailed the U-turn as a major victory.

But he regretted that the change of heart, discovered when brochures reappeared on Thursday, had `let the Greek Cypriots off the hook´.

Lawyers for Cyprus Paradise had also been looking into the possibility of suing the south´s Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) for its part in getting the brochures removed last week.

Mr Suleyman said last week that Thomson had told him the CTO was refusing to pay `a substantial amount of money´ owed to the firm in the form of subsidies until the Cyprus Paradise brochures were withdrawn from the 773 branches´ shelves.

In a letter to Cyprus Paradise´s lawyers on Thursday, Thomson admitted being in breach of its contract, which gave the brochures `must rack´ status until the end of this month, and invited Mr Suleyman to submit a claim for damages.

He said yesterday: `We have given the CTO a bloody nose, and although they have escaped this time they will be more careful next time we will be watching them and we have the law on our side´.

[17] The breakaway regime ready to receive Gary Robb back

The `TRNC´ government is ready to let disgraced property developer Gary Robb return to the country just weeks after stripping him of his citizenship, saying he had failed to reveal he was wanted by British police.

Sources say they are willing to let him back in to finish work on 400 houses being built by his Aga Development Construction company at Amaranta Valley, Arapkoy. (occupied Klepini).

Mr Robb, who was alleged to have taken millions of pounds from the company accounts and fled to Thailand last year, has sent a letter to the `government´ asking to be allowed back in with a guarantee that he will not be arrested.

Officials froze his bank accounts in October last year and seized his properties, threatening him with arrest if he tried to return.

But the U-turn is thought to have come about to save the `TRNC government´ from a massive bill for completing the project, which they had promised to take on..

The regime´s self-styled Attorney-General Akin Sait said that the return of Mr Gary Robb to the occupied areas did not mean the end of criminal investigations against him but he would pay the price if found guilty.

[18] June 25 the date for the Municipal elections

(C/S)

/SK

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