Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-03-24

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Letter to Talat from the UN.

[02] Pertev: The important thing is the lifting of the isolations, not the money; Other statements about the EU regulations for the Turkish Cypriots

[03] Contacts of the organization for the development of occupied Morfou in Brussels; It has reportedly been assured that the financial aid will be given to the Turkish Cypriots without the involvement of the Republic of Cyprus.

[04] Abdullatif Sener: The TRNC shows at all grounds its existence as a modern state.

[05] London-based North Cyprus Chamber of Commerce visited Jack Straw.

[06] Claims that the Kurdish fugitive Fehriye Erdal could be in the Republic of Cyprus.

[07] The ambassadors of Mongolia and Azerbaijan to Ankara visited the illegal Near East University in occupied Cyprus.

[08] Statements by Gordon Gray in Ankara.

[09] Serdar Denktas will deliver a speech in Brussels.

[10] Ertugrul Hasipoglu new Democratic Party General Secretary.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Letter to Talat from the UN

`TRNC President's Office spokesman´ Asim Akansoy said that `TRNC President´ Talat received a letter from UN Secretary-General Annan, but he didn't give information about the content of the letter. Akansoy said Talat was examining the letter.

When asked if Annan's special envoy to Cyprus Michael Moller would meet `TRNC President´ Talat tomorrow, Akansoy said that there was no such appointment in Talat's schedule for this week.

Moreover, Turkish daily MILLIYET newspaper (internet version 24.03.06) reports that the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has sent a letter that includes six critical messages. Following are the six messages included in the letter:

We did not reach to any understanding with the Greek Cypriot leader Papadopoulos during our meeting in Paris, because in order to reach to an understanding the approval of both sides is needed.

Mr Papadopoulos is yet to submit to me the list of demands that I have asked him since the 2004 referendum.

At the moment in Cyprus there is an abyss between the views of the sides.

The issues mentioned in our statement we have made with Mr Papadopoulos are completely technical issues and do not include withdrawal of troops or the situation regarding Famagusta port.

I continue investigating the Action Plan submitted by Turkey that envisages the removal of restrictions.

With a view to having your views as well I will have a meeting with you during the coming days.

(MHY)

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the territories of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island, massacred 1% of the population, forced all the Greek Cypriots to flee at gun point and prevents them from returning to their homes and properties).

[02] Pertev: The important thing is the lifting of the isolations, not the money; Other statements about the EU regulations for the Turkish Cypriots

Mr Pertev, who gave a conference, last night at the headquarters of the Young Businessmen´s Association (GIAD), noted that the ball is in the field of the Commission of the EU on the issue of the use of the money and that we shall see within the next weeks how it will be used.

Mr Pertev said that the projects will be prepared by the government of the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) and that no project will be carried out without the approval of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Mr Pertev argued, inter alia, the following: The financial aid provided for here, was not a financial support, but a support to the procedure of the lifting of the isolations. The important thing is the lifting of the isolations, not the money. Even if the Direct Trade Regulation had been approved it again would be far away from being satisfactory, because this regulation, which provides for exporting to Europe products the hundred percent or the majority of which are produced in northern Cyprus, is a restrictive regulation. The dialogue between the Turkish side and the Commission of the EU continues. There are contacts on how the projects will be prepared, what will be done and on the issue of what projects will be prepared. In any case they are talking with us because we are the ones who will be benefited from the aid. They cannot go and ask another country or the Greek Cypriot side. And as long as they do not agree with northern Cyprus the target of their Financial Aid Regulation will not be executed.

Moreover, KIBRIS also reports that the elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community at the European parliament, self-styled MPs, Mr Ozdil Nami (Republican Turkish Party) and Mr Hasan Tacoy (National Unity Party), who had contacts in Brussels with representatives of the COREPER, have stated that there is no change on the basis of the Direct Trade Regulation prepared by the Commission of the EU for the Turkish Cypriots.

They said they have got assurances that the money within the framework of the Financial Aid Regulation will be given directly by the Commission to the companies which will win the tenders. They pointed out that Turkish Cypriot companies will also be able to participate in these tenders and that there is no problem in this.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (24.03.06) publishes an interview with the mayor of the occupied part of Nicosia, Mr Kutlay Erk, who said, inter alia, the following on the issue of the EU regulations for the Turkish Cypriots:

Unfortunately there is no regulation or fund (in the EU) which needs the approval of the Turkish Cypriot people. Again, while taking the aid we will overcome the control of the Greek Cypriot administration. Because our projects will be prepared to be under five million euros, there will be no need for the approval of the Greek Cypriots. For example, instead of having one project for roads, water, canalization, we turn it into three projects, and the Greek Cypriots will not the right to have a say.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Contacts of the organization for the development of occupied Morfou in Brussels; It has reportedly been assured that the financial aid will be given to the Turkish Cypriots without the involvement of the Republic of Cyprus

The acting President of the European Commissions Task Force for the Turkish Cypriot side George Ziegler has said that the EU Financial Aid package will directly be made available to the Turkish Cypriot People and that the Greek Cypriot Administration will not be linked to the operations involved.

The delegation of the Morfou Districts Development Society has completed its contacts with EU officials in Brussels.

In line with its contacts, the delegation briefed EU officials on occupied Morfou´s problems and the Financial Development Plan prepared for the area.

Speaking after meeting the delegation, the acting President of the European Commissions Task Force for Turkish Cypriots George Ziegler reminded that he has already received a briefing on the Cyprus issue and the problems of Morfou area by the European Parliaments High Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriot side.

The GUKAD delegation later had a meeting with officials of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, made up of ambassadors in Brussels of EU member nations.

Stating that they have already been in contact with the Commissions Task Force for Turkish Cypriots, COREPER representatives said the Turkish Cypriot peoples international isolation is unjust.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (24.03.06) in a statement issued by the Society (GUKAD) it is noted that its delegation in Brussels met also with the Reporter of the European Parliaments High Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriots, Mr Michael A. Rupp.

During the one-and-a-half hour meeting they informed Mr Rupp about the importance of Morfou in the Cyprus problem, the sensitivities of the people living in Morfou, the Morfou Development Plan and the poll conducted for GUKAD.

According to the statement, Mr Rupp said that he would convey this information to the other members of the Contact Group and that they would try to visit Morfou in October. He noted that the Commission of the EU will not remain inactive to projects regarding the future of the people living in Morfou.

The Turkish Cypriot delegation met also with officials of the Austrian term presidency at the COREPER, Dr. Gabriela Kühteiber and Tünde Katalin Tuende Hüber.

[04] Abdullatif Sener: The TRNC shows at all grounds its existence as a modern state

Mr Sener noted that Turkey will continue its support in all fields and to projects which will contribute to the improvement of the economic and social life and the increase of the quality of life in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Yesterday the works for the construction of the northern coastal road began as well, adds KIBRIS.

According to Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (24.03.06) the new hospital in Famagusta will be built in an area of 95 donums (Tr. Note: A land measure of 1000 square meters) on the road between Famagusta and Salamina. It is expected to be completed within one and a half year and it will have 120 beds.

(I/Ts.)

[05] London-based North Cyprus Chamber of Commerce visited Jack Straw

A group of businessmen from the London-based North Cyprus Chamber of Commerce has visited the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to request his countrys assistance towards lifting the international isolation of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´.

The businessmen who met the British Foreign Secretary at the British Parliament, presented him with a letter conveying the Turkish Cypriot `Peoples´ expectations from the British Government.

The Turkish Cypriot businessmen were welcomed warmly by the British Foreign Secretary.

In the letter, its been stated that the Turkish Cypriot `people´ is following closely the efforts by the British Government to contribute to a solution to the Cyprus problem.

It stressed that Turkish Cypriots welcomed Britains support to the Annan Plan as a basis for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem, and reiterated the Chambers support for Londons backing for Turkey as it moves closer to EU accession.

It says that Turkish Cypriots see Turkeys EU membership as crucial for stability in the region and for the security of Cyprus in the future.

The letter says that although Londons support for a solution to the Cyprus problem is welcomed, Turkish Cypriots are disappointed with the slow progress achieved in lifting their international isolation which constitutes a violation of their basic rights.

Referring to the unjustified sanctions on the `TRNC´, the letter says this has led to Turkish Cypriots being kept from the rest of the world.

The letter by Londons Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce calls for the continuation of the Labour Partys efforts towards lifting the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

[06] Claims that the Kurdish fugitive Fehriye Erdal could be in the Republic of Cyprus

Fehriye Erdal, who spent four year in a jail in Belgium is, according to the paper, the perpetrator of the assassination of Ozdemir Sabanci. The Headquarters of the Security Forces in Turkey received information from some sources that Erdal may be in the Republic of Cyprus and some days ago it had informed the Interpol about this. The Headquarters of the Security Forces in Turkey asked the General Secretary of Interpol to investigate this issue and in case Fehriye Erdal is in south Cyprus to catch her and to send her to Turkey.

The paper writes that Turkey has no agreement of Cooperation in security with the Greek Cypriot Administration, as it calls the Republic of Cyprus, therefore it asked for Interpols help. The paper writes that when Abdullah Ocalan was arrested he carried a Greek Cypriot passport with him.

(C/S)

[07] The ambassadors of Mongolia and Azerbaijan to Ankara visited the illegal Near East University in occupied Cyprus

(C/S)

[08] Statements by Gordon Gray in Ankara

Gordon Gray, a top diplomat at the US Department of State who is in charge of Middle Eastern Affairs said on Wednesday that Turkey and the US faced the same problems and threats in the Middle East.

Gray met MFA Deputy Undersecretary Ahmet Uzumcu the same day. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Gray said that Turkey and the US would continue to be in dialogue against the threats and problems in the Middle East.

When asked about the expectations of the US from Turkey regarding Iran's nuclear program, Gray said that Iran with nuclear weapons would make the region unstable. Turkey and the US had common stance about Iran, Gray said.

Gray stressed that the US was committed to the diplomatic process to sort out the problem, noting that the US respected the dialogue carried out between EU countries and Iran, the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the UN process in that context.

Gray said that he was pleased to hear that Turkey supported this diplomatic process, stressing that it was important for Iran to understand the fact that the problem was not between the US and Europe, but also with the international community including Turkey.

When asked about the appointment of US Ambassador in Iraq Zalmay Halilzad to carry out talks with Iran, Gray said that Halilzad was charged by US Secretary of State Rice before but Iran made it public now. Gray said that the talks between Halilzad and Iranian officials would be bilateral and they would take up very serious problems about Iraq. Gray stressed that Iran should abide by the international decision taken at Sharm el-Sheikh in 2004 requiring non-intervention in the internal affairs of Iraq.

When asked whether or not the US would ask for any military demand from Turkey if the diplomatic process failed, Gray said that the US didn't demand anything from Turkey. The US is devoted to the diplomatic process and pleased as Turkey supports this process, Gray said.

[09] Serdar Denktas will deliver a speech in Brussels

According to AB-Habar Serdar Denktas will take part in a conference organized jointly by the ARI movement and CEPI. Other speakers will be the founder and President of the European Policies Centre (EPC), Stanley Crossick and the Director of the European Studies Centre (CEPS) Daniel Gross. On 29 March Serdar Denktas will analyse the `TRNC´s´ approach to the Cyprus problem during a speech in the framework of a conference at the European Parliament (EP) in Brussles. The conference to be held at the EP bears the title Cyprus Reloaded.

On this accession of the visit Denktas will hold meetings at EU institutions.

(K/V)

[10] Ertugrul Hasipoglu new Democratic Party General Secretary

(K/V)

/SK

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