Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-03-30

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey welcomes a meeting between Talat and Papadopoulos.

[02] Serdar Denktas begins contacts in Brussels.

[03] Soyer reassures on the proposed EU Financial assistance regulation.

[04] Olli Rehn: Potential difficulties in Turkish EU relations.

[05] Demonstrations against citrus exports facilitation.

[06] Zodia´s Checkpoint opens.

[07] The Turkish Minister of Transport to visit occupied Cyprus for the opening of the Turkish Cypriot Coastal Radio.

[08] Alper Hasta elected as the new chairman of the Nationalist Hearth.

[09] Highlights of the messages conveyed by speakers at the Turkish American Council.

[10] Turkey´s new Turksat 3A satellite contract signed.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] Columnist in AFRIKA criticizes Prime Minister Erdogan´s latest statements.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey welcomes a meeting between Talat and Papadopoulos

"Turkey looks positively at a meeting of `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´) `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat with Greek Cypriot administration leader Tassos Papadopoulos to discuss technical issues within the framework of the United Nations," said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan today.

Tan indicated that `TRNC´ authorities advised the formation of committees on health, environment, prevention of crimes and illegal migration to their Greek counterparts. "Establishment of such technical committees by the UN is supported by both Turkey and the `TRNC´."

Namik Tan added that implementation of Turkey's action plan on Cyprus, which was made public on January 24th, 2006, will help achieve a comprehensive solution in Cyprus and bring peace and stability to the island.

[02] Serdar Denktas begins contacts in Brussels

Mr Denktas also exchanged views with the President of the European Parliaments Foreign Relations Committee, Elmar Brok, the leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the EP, Graham Watson, and the Co-president of the Greens/EFA Group, Monica Frassoni.

Mr Denktas is today also attending separate round-table meetings organized by two Brussels-based think thank institutions and is expected to meet officials from the Belgian Foreign Ministry for talks expected to focus on the Cyprus problem.

While in Brussels, Serdar Denktas will be meeting members of the EU Parliaments High Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriot side.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Elmar Brok, Mr Denktas said he believes the EU regulation envisaging Direct Trade with the `TRNC´, is now, effectively dead.

As for the Financial Assistance Regulation and its implementation, Serdar Denktas said the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ is yet to decide whether or not to accept the offer.

Expressing disappointment over the EUs failure to help ease the Turkish Cypriot sides international isolation - as had been promised in April 2004 - he warned that the level of discontent among Turkish Cypriots to the EU parliaments High Level Contact Group may deepen further, unless the Group respects Turkish Cypriots identity as a political entity.

As for the developments on the Financial Assistance Regulation Mr Denktas referred to what he called inconsistencies and questions on the issue, with the Brussels media and press saying one thing, and the Greek Cypriot press reporting a different account on the matter.

Theres - definitely - something fishy going on, and well soon be learning about which one of them is telling the truth; but let no one forget that you dont have smoke without a flame a Turkish proverb hinting that rumors are generally based on facts, he said.

As part of his contacts in Brussels, Mr Denktas earlier attended the opening ceremony of a Turkish Cypriot handicrafts exhibition, which was inaugurated jointly by him and the `TRNC´ self-styled Minister of National Education and Culture, Canan Oztoprak.

Turkish Cypriot CUMHURIYET newspaper (30.03.06) quotes Serdar Denktas to have said that until the year 2008 there is no possibility of a government crisis.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (24.03.06) reports from Brussels that Mr Serdar Denktas stated that the Cyprus problem has not been solved so far because the two communities do never want a common future and are brought together only by international pressure.

Taking the floor in a conference on the Cyprus problem held in Belgian capital of Brussels by the European Parliament (EP) and Ari Movement, Denktas indicated that a solution could not be reached if the history of the Cyprus problem was not analyzed.

Denktas stated that Turkish Cypriots were being punished by the international community despite all the promises made before the Annan plan.

''We will not surrender to the administration in the south of the island even under the severest circumstances,'' he stressed.

Recalling that Turkey was asked to withdraw its soldiers from the island, Denktas said: ''If Turkish soldiers withdraw, Mr Papadopoulos will never sit at a table for a solution.''

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

[03] Soyer reassures on the proposed EU Financial assistance regulation

Speaking during a reception in Lefkosia, Mr Soyer said the government and the President´s Office have been adamant to make sure that all contacts and work on the issue are held on the basis of the Turkish Cypriot side´s basic right of self-rule and political equality.

Mr Soyer said the ongoing work on the issue is conducted in a way that is far from a rejectionist policy, but, at the same tie, based on promoting dialogue, exchange of views and cooperation.

As for the separation of the financial Assistance Regulation from the Direct Trade Regulation, Mr Soyer reminded that his government has always opposed this, in every single platform.

As for a recent statement issued by the spokesperson for the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn that the application and practice of the Financial Assistance Regulation will be a responsibility of the Commission; Mr Soyer said this message was crystal-clear in spelling the Commission´s stance on the matter.

He said that until now, no funds and financial assistance being provided by the EU commission have ever been transferred first, to the Central Bank of the country in question; and that similarly, the funds being allocated to the Turkish Cypriot People will not be transferred to the Cyprus Central Bank.

Referring to the internal affairs of TRNC, Mr Soyer stated that until 2008, the potentiality of a governmental crises´ does not exist.

[04] Olli Rehn: Potential difficulties in Turkish EU relations

Tan's comments came after remarks made by EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn that Turkish-EU relations may experience difficulty in 2006 due to Cyprus and that the EU Commission is working towards preventing a 'train accident' at the end of 2006.

In a weekly press conference, Mr Tan indicated that Mr Rehn's comments were actually the confirmation of Turkey's thesis that ''accession of the Greek Cypriot administration into the EU without resolution of the Cyprus problem would cause problems.''

Mr Tan pointed out that Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-chair Joost Lagendijk also admitted during American-Turkish Council annual meeting that Greek Cypriot administration's EU membership was a mistake. ''The platform to find a solution in Cyprus is the United Nations,'' added Mr Tan.

[05] Demonstrations against citrus exports facilitation

Many organisations including trade unions, transport operators and other professional organisations took their lorries and trucks to the check-points and to the port of Gazimagusa (occupied Famagusta) to voice their concerns that the practice may lead to a consolidation of the Turkish Cypriot sides international isolation.

Some demonstrators were seen blocking the road at the checkpoint, while others chanted slogans against the ongoing international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Some protested the European Union and the United States for not acting to remove the isolation, while some called for respect to the Turkish Cypriot Peoples political equality with the Greek Cypriot side.

A memorandum was handed to a UN official at Metehan checkpoint, conveying the organisers view that exporting North Cyprus agricultural produce through Greek Cypriot ports in South Cyprus is an attempt to undermine the TRNC economy.

They say it is impossible to accept the Greek Cypriot administration as the sole port authority for the export of goods from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) in occupied Cyprus has expressed support for the demonstration, expressing the view that initiatives aimed at exporting citrus from Greek Cypriot ports will harm the Turkish Cypriot peoples interests.

The UBP General Secretary Turgay Avci called on the government to take the necessary decisions to prevent this from happening, as it will make it impossible for the Turkish Cypriot people to ask for the lifting of its international isolation.

[06] Zodia´s Checkpoint opens

A ceremony was held in the buffer zone this afternoon.

The Bostanci (occupied Zodia) Checkpoint has been closed since December for asphalt laying and infrastructure work needed to facilitate easy crossings in both ways.

[07] The Turkish Minister of Transport to visit occupied Cyprus for the opening of the Turkish Cypriot Coastal Radio

Mr Yildirim will participate in the opening ceremony of the Turkish Cypriot Coastal Radio and in the foundation laying of the passenger room in the occupied Kyrenia port.

Mr Yildirim will arrive in the TRNC tomorrow noon with a private plane and will depart later the same day.

(C/S)

[08] Alper Hasta elected as the new chairman of the Nationalist Hearth

(C/S)

[09] Highlights of the messages conveyed by speakers at the Turkish American Council

The political, economic, and military aspects of the relations between Turkey and the United States were discussed during the 25th annual meeting of the ATC [American-Turkish Council] and the TAIK [ Turkish-American Business Council] in Washington. Those who addressed the general session and the panels focused on how the relations between the two countries can be restored as well as on the PKK, the EU, and the Cyprus problem. The messages they conveyed were as follows:

ATC Chairman Brent Scowcroft: We welcome the solution of the problems between Turkey and the United States. Military and political leaders meet regularly. The sensitivities of the two sides are considered in the disclosures that are made to the public.

Turkish Ambassador in US Nabi Sensoy: The atmosphere in Ankara and Washington provides an opportunity for the improvement of relations. Ankara has the political will for that. The relations must be deepened and diversified. My mission is to further the relations between the two countries in economy and trade as well as in science and technology.

American Enterprise Institute Deputy Director Danielle Pletka: The improvement of relations requires a serious leadership on the Turkish side. The leaders must not overlook the gradually strengthening trend of anti-Americanism. Disgraceful animosity against the United States in books and films must be opposed.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mathew Bryza: The United States supports Turkey's accession to the EU. A very important ideological struggle has a role in that. It is the ideological struggle in Islam. With its secular democracy, Turkey is a successful model in that struggle.

Chairman of Koc Holding Company Executive Committee Mustafa Koc: Only talking on the PKK is not enough. The two sides must take concrete steps. Temporary diversions from cooperation (with the United States) cannot be a reason to harm the bilateral relations as a whole. Problems must be solved through a constructive dialogue, not impositions.

US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Marc Grossman: The United States must be more active against the PKK. I do not mean to say that some 5,000 PKK members should be captured in Northern Iraq tomorrow. However, substantial things can be and should be done. Turkey, too, stands to significantly gain from success in Iraq.

Bilgi University Lecturer Ilter Turan: I opposed the view in a television program that the United States plans to have a Kurdish State established in a way that would require Turkey to give up a part of its territory. Everyone else in the program agreed with that viewpoint. An effort must be made to stop such an obsession, which obstructs rational thinking.

Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson: The strengthening of the administration in Iraq will create an opportunity to end the PKK. We appreciate Turkey's statements that call on Iran to cooperate with the IAEA.

Chairman of TOBB [Turkish Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges] Rifat Hisarciklioglu: North Cyprus continues to suffer from political and economic sanctions. We ask our American friends here to end the unfair isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

AKP [Justice and Development Party] Deputy Egemen Bagis: Turkey will definitely reach the final destination, just like the other EU candidates. That is full membership. We will accept nothing less than full membership.

Republican Party Senator Chuck Hagel: Iraq was a problem in our relations. We are now trying to restore the friendly relations we had prior to the crisis in Iraq. We want to base our alliance on our common democratic values. We want to base our alliance on strong foundations.

MILLIYET Director of Publications Sedat Ergin: Ankara and Washington find it difficult to understand each other from time to time. Developments like the "Armenian Bill" and the "incident in al-Sulaymaniyah" create negative trends of thought. Differing statements in Washington make it difficult for Turkey to understand the United States from time to time.

[10] Turkey´s new Turksat 3A satellite contract signed

Turksat 3A satellite, which is scheduled to be launched in 2008, will provide regions (where there are no communication services due to infrastructure shortcomings and geographical conditions) with several telecommunication services.

Osman Dur, the Director-General of Turksat Satellite Communication and Cable TV Operation Company, told to the A.A correspondent on Wednesday that tender process on the new satellite was completed.

Mr Dur underlined that the Turksat 3A satellite would enable Turksat to offer telecommunication services as well as direct TV broadcasting over Turkey, Europe and Central Asia.

Turksat and Alcatel signed a turnkey contract for the construction and the in-orbit delivery of a new powerful telecommunication satellite, Turksat 3A.

Turksat 3A will be fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders and will offer beginning of life power of about 8kW. Turksat 3A is due to start services at the beginning of 2008, replacing Turksat 1C.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] Columnist in AFRIKA criticizes Prime Minister Erdogan´s latest statements

He made the Turkish Cypriots say `yes´ in the referendum.

Who is saying this?

The very esteemed Turkish Prime Minister.

Finally he spilled the beans! He shamelessly confessed what everybody knows! He confessed, but were there any reactions except from Sener Levent and his circle?

Why did those who allege to be leading the people kept silent at a time when the Turkish Cypriots and their will are being cursed so openly! Is it because the esteemed Prime Minister so wanted that you said `yes´ in the referendum? I thought it was because you wanted peace that you wanted agreement and compromise In order to withdraw the Turkish troops

I thought you said `yes´ in order to get your deprived will power back. Finally Mr Prime Minister was right. It is not enough for your willpower to be deprived.

Whatever Turkey´s opening of its EU course and interests are, this shows that they have the courage to say: `I made these Cypriots, whom I put in a pen, to say `yes´. No reaction is exhibited from any politician for this insult. Where are the politicians, who claim to be leading the people? Where are those who claim rights from the Republic of Cyprus. Where is the opposition spirit of CTP (Republican Turkish Party)? Could they not find three, five or ten persons to go in front of the embassy to say `no´ to the very esteemed Prime Minister? To say that so much disrespect for our will power is unacceptable? To say we do not accept this insult on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people? Furthermore, they say they want peace and compromise. Whom with? With the Greek Cypriot side? Will the Greek Cypriot people want to have peace with those whose will was deprived and who tolerate every kind of disrespect and insult? Is this the message to be given to the people you want peace and agreement with? Every day they say the key (to the solution) is in Ankara, on every opportunity. Are they wrong? Whom will they reach an agreement for peace with? Will these persons make peace with those who succumb and tolerate every kind of insult, and they were deprived of their will? Will they be beguiled under the illusion of ridding the country of the Ottoman relics of the utopia that they will rid them from the Turks.

What did Aziz Nesin say about his people? About what percentage did he speak (in an unbecoming manner) and as a result there was an uproar?

You, beguiled Cypriots speaking Turkish, what is the percentage among us of the type Aziz Nesin spoke about? Given that there was no reaction to the insult by the esteemed Prime Minister, by what percentage has this amount increased?

I feel ashamed for the situation of this community. I feel ashamed that before my people there are such politicians who keep silent and tolerate everything. If there are more feeling ashamed they can well make it known to me. In order to see the percentage among the Cypriots speaking Turkish for which Aziz Nesin spoke about his own people.

(KV)

/SK

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