Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-04-07

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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 on the issues on the current political agenda.

[02] Reference to Cyprus by Gul and the Estonian Foreign Minister.

[03] Serdar Denktas expects no new initiative before a new UN Secretary General takes over. Statements by Soyer as well.

[04] The Commander of the occupation forces visited the illegal university of occupied Lefka.

[05] The Italian Ambassador to Turkey reportedly supports the direct trade with the occupied areas of Cyprus, through which Turkey aims at legitimizing its crimes against Cyprus.

[06] EU Commission condemns the PKK terrorist acts.

[07] The EU will reportedly open an office in the occupied areas of Cyprus in the summer.

[08] Worries for the existence of typhus or typhoid fever in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[09] KTOS General Secretary: Turkish Cypriots will is under Turkey mortgage.

[10] An investigation is conducted against the General Kenan Evren for the 12 September coup d etat.

[11] A law suit is filed against the journalist of AKTÜEL magazine Perihan Magden who is accused for insulting the Turkish army.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Prime Minister on the issues on the current political agenda

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated: "We fear of a possible civil war in Iraq. It would cause a big danger."

Appearing on a TV program yesterday, Erdogan replied to questions on several matters.

In regard to relations between Turkey and the United States, Erdogan stressed: "We (Turkey and the United States) are maintaining our talks as strategic partners."

Replying to a question on Hamas leader's visit to Turkey, Erdogan noted: "We respect the will of Palestinian people." Erdogan underlined that Turkey was working for settlement of peace in the Middle East.

In regard to problems in Iraq, Erdogan said: "US people and Bush administration have concerns over these problems. Diplomatic mechanisms should be maintained."

Stating that the process (regarding Iraq) should continue under the auspices of the UN, he stressed: "We fear of a possible civil war in Iraq. It may cause a big danger for neighboring countries."

Erdogan noted that Turkey did not want a nuclear power in its region, underlining that he hoped that a consensus would be reached on this matter.

Replying to another question, Erdogan reiterated that first of all, the isolation of Turkish Cypriots should be lifted, then Turkey will open its ports and airports to Cyprus registered ships and planes.

Erdogan also said there was an impact of internal and external factors in the source of the terrorist activities that had occurred recently. "Opposing to ethnic nationalism is one of our red lines."

Erdogan said he gave important messages during his visit to southeastern city of Diyarbakir, and noted that, "terrorist organization will not and can not take those messages. The interlocutor of those messages is my people in the region."

Erdogan said he had never seen the terrorist organization as the representative of the citizens whose ethnic structure is Kurd. "There hadn't been any problem between the Turkish and Kurdish citizens throughout the history. Now, terrorist organization is acting as if it is the representative of the Kurdish citizens and trying to make the Republic of Turkey and Kurdish citizens enemies."

Prime Minister Erdogan said some mayors had made statements recently that prepared ground to terrorism, and noted that, "leader of a political party uses the expression of guerilla. On the one hand, you are a mass democratic organization, and on the other you talk about guerillas. You do not consider PKK a terrorist organization although all the EU member countries say 'PKK is a terrorist organization'. It is not right."

Replying to a question about the appointment of Central Bank Governor, Erdogan said they would present a new candidate for this post this week.

Asked about the presidential elections, Erdogan said it was the right of this parliament to elect the new President of Turkey.

Replying to a question whether he would cooperate with the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) in election of the President by votes of the citizens, Erdogan said, "why did not those, who make such statements now, have the people of Turkey elect the president in the past? Why did the President who made this statement come to power with the votes of the parliamentarians but not with the votes of people? Why didn't he say, 'I want to come to power with the votes of people, not with the votes of parliamentarians´".

Erdogan said any reshuffle in the Council of Ministers was out of their agenda.

[02] Reference to Cyprus by Gul and the Estonian Foreign Minister

Gul indicated that screening of 14 headings under EU negotiations have been completed successfully.

Abdullah Gul told the press that he discussed many issues with Austrian officials during a visit made last month to Austria.

"It is my sincere hope that the process (of negotiations) will continue successfully," stated Gul.

In reference to a question on whether Turkish and some Arabic countries' intelligence services met in Jordan to discuss the future of Iraq, Gul answered that certain relations between governments and their institutions are normal. "Iraq needs international collaboration. Cooperation with Iraq should be made at all levels. Iraq's security, stability and territorial integrity are very important," said Gul.

Meanwhile, asked about what he thinks on Turkey's Cyprus Action Plan, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet remarked that Estonia favors the resolution of the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the United Nations.

"We hope that Cyprus talks, under the leadership of the UN, will resume soon," noted Paet.

Minister Gul stressed that, based on a NATO decision, Turkey has accepted the position of "air police" for Baltic countries, between April 1st-July 31st, 2006. "Such a mission will bring our two countries closer," said Gul.

On the other hand, Paet commented that Estonia supports Turkey's bid to join the EU as a full member.

"We are two identical countries who have shown remarkable growth in the past few years. We expect to see more Turkish tourists in Estonia," added Paet.

[03] Serdar Denktas expects no new initiative before a new UN Secretary General takes over. Statements by Soyer as well

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has accused the Greek Cypriot Administration of trying to patch up the Turkish Cypriot people to the so-called Cyprus Republic.

Also commenting on the recent developments on the Cyprus issue, the Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas accused the Greek Cypriot administration of attempting to slip the Cyprus issue from the responsibility of the United Nations to the European Unions sphere of influence.

The governments comments came in response to criticism by the main opposition National Unity Party on the governments handling of the Cyprus issue.

Addressing the Republics Assembly this morning, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer responded to main opposition criticism of the governments handling of the Cyprus problem issue.

He said that a new and detailed policy should be put in place keeping in mind and knowing about the Greek Cypriot sides strategies.

Criticizing the EUs acceptance of the Greek Cypriot side as a member before a settlement to the Cyprus problem, Mr Soyer accused the Greek Cypriot administration of playing for time and wanting to blackmail Turkey on its EU bid.

Also addressing the Assembly, the deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas referred to remarks made by the Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni on the Cyprus issue, and said these words reflected the Greek Cypriot sides aim of taking the Cyprus issue to within the European Union and away from the United Nations.

Expressing the belief that the United Nations Secretary - General Kofi Annan would not take a new initiative on the Cyprus issue before the end of his term of office, the TRNC Foreign Minister said he believes that the next Secretary - General may present a new plan on the Cyprus issue.

The governments comments came in response to criticism by the main opposition National Unity Party on the governments handling of the Cyprus issue.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (07.04.06) refers to Mr Soyers statements under the title The 24th of April is the day when our equality was officially registered, we will celebrate it.

The paper writes that during his address to the assembly, Mr Soyer said that the Turkish Cypriots will celebrate the 24th of April, the day when the referendum on the Annan Plan was conducted, because the right of the two equal peoples of the island to determine their own destiny and the future of the whole Island was officially registered for the first time with an international agreement.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the subordinate to Ankara regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the territories of Cyprus under the occupation of 40,000 Turkish troops, which the Turkish propaganda machine calls isolation of the Turkish Cypriots).

[04] The Commander of the occupation forces visited the illegal university of occupied Lefka

The Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Lieutenant General Hasan Memisoglu today paid a visit to the Rector of the European University of Lefke Prof. Ali Riza Buyukuslu.

Mr Buyukuslu briefed the Commander on the Universitys infrastructure and recent projects.

Speaking during the visit, Lieutenant General Memisoglu explained that the infrastructure of the University will act as a catalyst in the regions social, cultural and economic development.

[05] The Italian Ambassador to Turkey reportedly supports the direct trade with the occupied areas of Cyprus, through which Turkey aims at legitimizing its crimes against Cyprus

The Turkish government, pressured by the European Union to implement a customs union protocol and open its ports and airports to traffic from member Greek Cyprus, can hardly act without the EU taking a concrete and significant step forward, Italian Ambassador to Turkey Carlo Marsili warned.

The Italian envoy said the best such step would be the EU going ahead with a proposed regulation to allow direct trade with Turkish Cypriots.

EU officials have stepped up warnings recently that there could be a crisis in Turkey's relations with the bloc later this year, which is taken to mean a suspension in accession negotiations, if Ankara refuses to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes.

Turkey, which signed but has not yet ratified a protocol with the EU to extend its customs union deal with the bloc to newcomers including Greek Cyprus, expects, however, EU steps to ease isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, something it pledged after the Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of a U.N. plan to reunite the island in April 2004.

Turkey has to fulfill its obligation and open ports and airports to Greek Cypriots. But I understand that not only this government but no Turkish government can do this without getting something concrete and serious from the EU concerning Cyprus, Marsili told the Turkish Daily News in an interview.

Nobody will introduce the customs union protocol to Parliament for approval because there is a very big risk, and it's almost for sure, that Parliament will say no.' And in such a case, we would have a problem very difficult to overcome. We don't want that problem, he also said.

The EU, keen to reward the Turkish Cypriots for their support for the reunification of Cyprus, proposed twin regulations of direct trade and financial aid after the April 2004 referendum. But the direct trade proposal was apparently shelved when the member states agreed earlier this year to decouple it from a financial aid scheme and released 139 million euros in financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots without a hint on when the trade regulation could be taken up.

With Turkish disappointment on the decoupling of the two proposals still running high, political observers say there is only negligible possibility that the customs union protocol can be approved by parliamentarians even if it is introduced by the government, thus making it legally impossible for ports and airports to be opened to the Greek Cypriots.

We said until the very last minute that it would be a mistake to decouple the trade and aid regulations, Marsili said. We were absolutely against it because, first of all, it was a matter of justice and regard for the Turkish Cypriot community, which voted yes' in the referendum.

We have to avoid a crisis, went on the Italian ambassador. We have to create conditions so as to let the Turkish government fulfill its commitments. The only possibility for this, for me, is that we give something concrete to Turkey concerning Cyprus, which is direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots. Direct trade is the EU's word and the way out, in my view, to avoid a major crisis.

Political criteria and fairness:

Marsili also reiterated his country's opposition to efforts on the part of some EU countries to include a reference to the bloc's vaguely defined political criteria in accession talks on the chapter of education and culture, which, Turkey insists, is a purely technical one.

I can say here a very simple thing, Marsili said. Were the political criteria applicable to technical negotiations with other candidates? No. Now, we don't see why they should be applied to Turkey.

He said Italy would continue to insist on normal procedures for talks on the chapter of education and culture and warned against unfair treatment of Turkey. We, as the EU, have undertaken a commitment to treat Turkey in the same way as other candidate countries. Anything that does not go in line with this commitment, I think, would not be fair, he said.

[06] EU Commission condemns the PKK terrorist acts

The European Commission condemned terrorist acts of PKK in Turkey.

On its session about the recent developments occurring in Turkey's Southeastern region, the Commission called on Turkey not to use extreme force while settling the incidents.

European Commissioner (on public health) Markos Kyprianou said that PKK is a terrorist organization, and it is involved in EU's terrorist organizations list.

Noting that terrorism in no way can be justified, Kyprianou said that PKK creates tension in Southeastern Anatolia through provocations. Kyprianou noted that people of Southeastern Anatolia do not want violence; they want peace and prosperity. He stated that Turkish government should attach importance to development of this region in social, economic and cultural aspects, like other regions of Turkey.

Speaking on behalf of European Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn, Kyprianou said that it is necessary to remove village guard system and let people (who migrated from their villages due to terrorism) to return to their homes.

Kyprianou also noted that they are expecting Turkish officials to pursue a comprehensive investigation about the recent incidents (in southeastern Anatolia).

Meanwhile, Camiel Eurlings, the European Parliament's Turkey rapporteur, said that terrorist acts of PKK can never be justified.

Eurlings added that Osman Baydemir, Mayor of Diyarbakir, and executives of Democratic Society Party (DTP) should sideline and condemn PKK terrorism.

On the same day Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.04.06) reported the following from Diyarbakir:

Police arrested 4 provincial executives of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) and 2 labor union chairmen in southeastern city of Diyarbakir today.

DTP's Diyarbakir office deputy chairman Musa Farisoglu, executive Necdet Atalay, executive Muhlis Altun and executive board member Nusret Akin and Tes-Is Union No. 1 Branch Chairman Ali Oncu and Tum-Bel-Sen Union Branch Chairman Edip Yasar have been sent to court last night after their interrogation at Diyarbakir Police.

The DTP executives and labor union chairmen were taken into police custody after the illegal demonstrations in Diyarbakir last week. They have been arrested based on Article 7 of Anti-Terror Law which makes it a crime to support terrorist organization and organize an event in support of terrorist organization.

[07] The EU will reportedly open an office in the occupied areas of Cyprus in the summer

The paper writes that according to information acquired by the illegal TAK news agency, during their recent meeting Michael Leigh, the Director for the Office of EU Enlargement and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat discussed the ways of how the EU will grant to the Turkish Cypriots the financial aid within the framework of the Financial Aid Regulation.

During Mr Leighs contacts, the Turkish Cypriot side expressed the opinion that the Greek Cypriots should be left outside the stages when the decisions regarding the financial aid will be taken or implemented. The Turkish side demanded also the aid to be given through internationally recognized banks which co-operate with banks in the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus).

The paper notes that the meeting at Mr Talats office took place in a very positive climate and the Turkish side expressed its positions on the Cyprus problem and the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

According to the paper, during the meeting the Turkish Cypriot side expressed its discomfort because of the condition included in the Financial Aid Regulation that the Turkish Cypriot students which will be given scholarships should use the Larnaca Airport for traveling abroad.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Worries for the existence of typhus or typhoid fever in the occupied areas of Cyprus

According to the paper, worries exist that the children have been infected with diseases such as typhus or typhoid fever. Seventy seven students did not go to school on Tuesday, 83 on Wednesday and 93 on Thursday. Officials from the self-styled health service department will visit the area in order to specify what the illness is. Samples have been taken from the students for analysis.

(M/L)

[09] KTOS General Secretary: Turkish Cypriots will is under Turkey mortgage

Elcil went on and said that for years the policy of the Ankara governments to mortgage the will of the Turkish Cypriots is continuing and added that this became obvious with the statement made by the Turkish Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah Gul, regarding the occupied Louroudjina village issue.

Similar statements remind once more that the Turkish Cypriots do not govern themselves Ankaras policies is the reason behind the fact that the government, which started off with the objective to secure civilian rule, democratization and the Turkish Cypriots governing themselves, failed to bring the police force under civilian authority, was unable to open Ledra Street crossing, and failed to take concrete steps as regards demographic and citizenship issues, Elcil stressed.

He went on and said: The government officials have announced that the Uniform Social Security System will be in effect as of June 2006. The government officials who claim that they are open to dialogue and work hand in hand with the NGOs, are carrying out their work silently without informing the trade unions which are indispensable part of the labor life. The government officials visit to Ankara in order to inform about the Uniform Social Security Law, who consider unnecessary to inform the workers organizations, is thought for concern.

(MHY)

[10] An investigation is conducted against the General Kenan Evren for the 12 September coup d etat

As the paper writes, the Mugla Attorney General Office in Turkey who is evaluating a complain made by a citizen, has started a research against General Evren who speaking at the Abbas Guclu´s Genc Bakis (Youth Opinion) programme on Kanal D television stated that he does not regret anything as regards the coup d etat.

I do not regret anything as regards the 12 September coup d etat. If I was again the chief of the General Staff, and those conditions existed I would not have hesitated to interfere again, he stated.

The complain against General Evren was made by the lawyer Noyan Ozkan from Izmir. As the paper writes 1-2 years of imprisonment is demanded for General Kenan Evren in case he is found guilty.

(C/S)

[11] A law suit is filed against the journalist of AKTÜEL magazine Perihan Magden who is accused for insulting the Turkish army

As the paper writes the trial against Perihan Magden will start in the coming days at the Basic Criminal Court for the reason that she disinclines people from military service through press. In the said criminal complaint, it is recorded that the article titled "Conscientious objection is a human right" is written by Perihan Magden in the way of disinclining people from military service.

The author did not accept the accusations against her during the research made before the starting of the trial. As the paper writes three years of imprisonment is demanded for Perihan Magden in case she is found guilty.

(C/S)

/SK

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