Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-04-14

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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 Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Conference Organization accepts the Turkish Cypriots as Turkish Cypriot State.

[02] A joint company by Turkish and Greek Cypriots for marketing and exporting citrus fruits.

[03] The New Cyprus Party decided not to participate in the forthcoming municipal elections.

[04] Protocol signed for more tourists to the occupied areas.

[05] KTÖS comments on the education in the TRNC and the population census

[06] The Republican Turkish Party is intervening through statements in the parliamentary elections in the free area of Cyprus.

[07] The Danish Ambassador to Ankara is reported to have said that Denmark will work for the direct trade with the areas of Cyprus under the occupation of 40.000 troops.

[08] Turkey´s General Secretary for EU argues that the signing of the additional protocol does not mean recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

[09] New reform package announced. No amendment to article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.

[10] July 20 to set for Orams Case decision

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] How Turkey manipulates the Islamic Conference to promote its expansionist designs

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Conference Organization accepts the Turkish Cypriots as Turkish Cypriot State

The decision was taken yesterday during a closed door meeting at Conrad Hotel in Istanbul upon Turkeys initiatives, writes the paper and adds that the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Mr Bulent Arinc said that the decision for changing the status of the Turkish Cypriot Moslem Community to Turkish Cypriot State was taken unanimously.

In statements after the end of the 4th Conference of PUICO, Mr Arinc described the Istanbul Declaration of the organization as very important. He pointed out that the issue of the minority in Western Trace and the description of the TRNC as Turkish Cypriot State were among the decisions of the conference.

Mr Arinc expressed the opinion that the decision regarding Cyprus is a a step forward and said that the issues of lifting the so-called isolations of the Turkish Cypriots and the continuation of the efforts of the UN Secretary General for reaching a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem are also included in the declaration.

Mr Arinc said: From now on the name of Turkish Cypriot State is given to the Moslem people in Cyprus. This is a great success. Therefore, I hope that both in Turkey and the TRNC (this decision) will be met with joy.

Meanwhile, under the title We asked from OIC the lifting of the isolations, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (14.04.06) reports that the self-styled speaker of the assembly of the TRNC, Mrs Fatma Ekenoglu stated that they told the Islamic countries which participated in the conference that their greatest expectation from them is the breaking of the isolations. Mrs Ekenoglu alleged that the Republic of Cyprus is following an intimidation policy against Turkey and called on President Papadopoulos to return to the negotiating table under the UN umbrella. If there is a wish for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem, there is no other way except the inter-communal talks, she added.

In its inside pages the paper refers to the decision of the conference under the title We are now Turkish Cypriot State at the OIC.

Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (14.04.06) refers to the issue under the title A Turkish Cypriot State, not the TRNC came out from the OIC. The paper argues that the decision shows that the OIC member-countries do not think of establishing diplomatic relations with the break away regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus and to conduct direct trade with it.

Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (14.04.06) refers to the issue under the title: Historic decision from the Parliamentary Union of OIC: Turkish Cypriot State.

Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (14.04.06) refers to the issue under the title The OIC recognized the TRNC as Turkish Cypriot State!

Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (14.04.06) describes the decision as decision for recognition of the TRNC.

(I/Ts.)

[02] A joint company by Turkish and Greek Cypriots for marketing and exporting citrus fruits

In statements to KIBRIS TV, the president of the Lefka-Morfou Citrus Fruits Producers Union, Mr Sami Dayioglu said that they will use the most appropriate and profitable ways for marketing and exporting citrus fruits. He said that they could use the occupied Famagusta port, but when the circumstances are more appropriate they should easily use the port of Limassol. For example, using the Famagusta port we will bring the cardboard from Turkey which is the cheapest country in cardboards, but we will use the port of Limassol to reach certain countries because specifying the price is more favorable.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The New Cyprus Party decided not to participate in the forthcoming municipal elections

As the paper writes, the YKPs general assembly has evaluated the current situation in the TRNC and has come to the following conclusions: The demographic structure in the north has been changed because of the transfer of population, this crowd of people has set the ground for the Turkish policy to be applied in north Cyprus in an open manner and has put the will of Cypriots under mortgage. Therefore, before the reaching of a solution and the creation of democratic conditions, the conduction of the elections will not solve anything.

In a statement he made during a press conference, Mr Albay Durduran, YKPs Secretary of Foreign Relations, stated that since the promotion of the democratic conditions has not been safeguarded, his party cannot participate in the elections under these conditions.

(C/S)

[04] Protocol signed for more tourists to the occupied areas

The aim of the protocol is to transport foreign tourists visiting Turkey and Turkish tourists to the occupied areas on a more sustainable basis. As a result of the protocol transport fares between Turkey, Turkic Republics, and European countries to the occupied areas will be reduced.

The protocol will go into effect on June 1st and last until 31st October.

On the part of the self-styled TRNC, the protocol was signed by the self-styled Minister of Economy and Tourism, Mr Dervis Deniz.

[05] KTÖS comments on the education in the TRNC and the population census

In a written statement KTÖS stated that the self-styled government in the TRNC should stop the registration of children for the period between the 1st of June-15th of September and to make it obligatory for the children to bring health certificates and for their parents to bring work permit certificates.

Commenting on the population census which is going to take place in the TRNC on the 30th of April, 2006, KTÖS stated that the presence of international observers during the census is a necessity as regards the respect of the Turkish Cypriots will.

In the statement it is noted that because of the unhealthy way that the population is increased in the TRNC, there are many problems in the education and health services and that the population and citizenship issues must be approached in a radical manner.

[06] The Republican Turkish Party is intervening through statements in the parliamentary elections in the free area of Cyprus

The Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has criticized the Speaker of the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives - AKEL Leader Dimitris Christofis for displaying an aggressive attitude against the CTP during his election campaign in South Cyprus.

The Party reiterated its aim of finding a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution to the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of both sides.

In a written statement today, the CTP said that the AKEL leader Dimitris Christofias is trying to gain support by criticizing ´President´ Mehmet Ali Talat and the Republican Turkish Party in every single speech he delivers during his election campaign.

Expressing the view that Mr Christofias is anxious as he cannot explain the reason of the non-solution in Cyprus to his supporters at a time when a pro-solution government has been in power in the North, the statement said he is attacking the Republican Turkish Party to prove that he is right.

Accusing the party of blocking the way of a solution in cooperation with the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, the CTP statement called on the AKEL to explain the reason of a NO vote to the Annan plan.

It continued its accusations by saying that the Greek Cypriot AKEL party abandoned its policy of achieving a bi-communal and bi-zonal, federal settlement to the Cyprus problem.

The statement added that the Republican Turkish party has been using every historical circumstance to realize its aim of finding a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution to the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of both sides.

[07] The Danish Ambassador to Ankara is reported to have said that Denmark will work for the direct trade with the areas of Cyprus under the occupation of 40.000 troops

He stressed that his country tries its utmost so that the European Union can keep its promises given to the Turkish Cypriot ´people´.

During his visit to the Turkish Parliaments Committee for the Harmonization with the European Union, the Danish Ambassador Christian Hoppe objected to the idea that the Annan Plan was dead.

Noting that the Annan Plan is still on the table and is a basis for a solution to the Cyprus problem, Mr Hoppe expressed his disappointment for the lack of a consensus within the EU which resulted in not keeping the promises given to Turkish Cypriots.

He added that Denmark will maintain its support to the approval of the Direct Trade Regulation which will assist the removal of the ´isolation´ of Turkish Cypriots.

[08] Turkey´s General Secretary for EU argues that the signing of the additional protocol does not mean recognition of the Republic of Cyprus

Global balances required Turkey's full membership to the EU," said Turkey's Secretary-General for EU Oguz Demiralp on Thursday.

Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Ankara Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (ASIAD) on "The Past, Today and Future of the EU and Turkey's EU Process", Demiralp said: "Turkey has already been a member of the Council of Europe. Also, Turkey was one of twelve countries which prepared the European Convention on Human Rights."

"While some circles in the EU support Turkey's membership to the EU, the others object it. Turkey will never give up its EU membership process. However, we will never make concessions from issues related with national compromise during this process," he said.

Upon a question about the Cyprus issue, Demiralp said: "Turkey's signing the additional protocol will not mean recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration. The protocol extending the Customs Union Agreement to include the new member countries, is a technical document."

[09] New reform package announced. No amendment to article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, revealing the government's reform package, has said that there has been no problem in the implementation of the new TCK [Turkish Penal Code], and that they do not anticipate any amendment of article 301, which came up in the [Orhan] Pamuk case.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, revealing the government's new reform package, stated that the draft laws on the agenda of the National Assembly will be passed through the General Assembly as soon as possible, and that the new drafts will be referred to the relevant committees.

Abdullah Gul, stating that the draft law on combating terrorism does not conflict with people's freedoms, stressed that they have not seen any problem in the implementation of the new Turkish Penal Code, and that for this reason they do not anticipate any amendments either in article 301 or in any other article.

Claiming that Turkey is making progress in the direction of democracy and modernization, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul asserted that the reform process is proceeding without interruption. Gul announced that, within this framework, a series of new laws and legal amendments will be presented to the National Assembly.

Gul said: "The reform process is continuing without any letup. The political and economic reforms form a single whole. The Turkish economy has been made more resistant against both internal and external shocks."

The Foreign Minister, saying that political ethics and transparency are a priority of the government, announced that a new law dealing with the institution of an Ombudsman will also come out shortly.

Gul listed the new laws to be presented to the TBMM [Turkish Grand National Assembly] as follows:

- Preparations have been made for a proposed law on the Court of Public Accounts [Sayistay], and it will be brought before the TBMM. This deals with transparency. This law provides for the expenditures of the TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] to be monitored by the Court of Public Accounts on behalf of the Assembly.

- Drafts concerning special [or private] education and foundations are in the committee.

- The draft housing law deals with migrants and nomads.

- The draft administrative procedures law, draft administrative court law, the draft on financing of political activity, and the establishment of a political ethics commission will be presented to the Assembly as a four-part package. These all pertain to transparency and the implementation of rules on ethics.

- An amendment will be made to the law concerning the structure of military courts. With this, we want to reduce trials of civilians in military courts to a minimum.

- The Human Rights Directorate affiliated with the Office of the Prime Minister will be restructured. It will become more independent.

- New duties will be given to the Prime Ministerial Inspection Board.

[10] July 20 to set for Orams Case decision

¤he Orams Case, a UK High Court saga that may decide the future of the property industry in North Cyprus, is to take place on the 18,19 and 20 July, it has been revealed.

The case, filed against a British couple who bought and developed a villa on land originally belonging to a Greek Cypriot refugee, gained notoriety when it was announced the couple would be represented by Cherie Booth QC, wife of the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

The Orams, who own a luxury villa and swimming pool in the Northern Cypriot resort of Lapta (occupied Lapithos) are being pushed to sequestration of their UK assets by Meletis Apostolides, a Greek Cypriot refugee and original owner of the land bought and developed by Mr and Mrs Orams. Apostolides filed the case in the UK after a south Cyprus (Republic of Cyprus) court failed to bring about the demolition of the Lapta villa and to secure regular payment of damages and a monthly rent to Apostolides.

Cherie Booth was named as the barrister to act in the couples defense at a press conference held by the Orams London based solicitors, Vahib & Co, in December. She joins a legal team including Iflin Vahib, Mavelyn Vidal, Hasan Vahib, Bitu Bhala and Ramiz Gursoy .

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] How Turkey manipulates the Islamic Conference to promote its crimes against Cyprus and its EU aspirations

Turkey, in a last-minute diplomatic maneuver, this week avoided the possibility of the Greek Cypriots making a presentation at the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Conference (PUIOCM).

Diplomatic clashes between Ankara and the Greek Cypriots began with an application by the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) for observer status at the PUIOCM. The issue was discussed in the preparatory sessions of PUIOCM delegations on the eve of the group's fourth conference on Wednesday in Istanbul.

Most of the PUIOCM parliamentarians expressed their consent for observer status to be given to the IAO but to avoid such a development, the Turkish delegation underlined, "The IAO only represents one sect of the entire Christian religion."

"The IAO is comprised of parliamentarians from several countries and includes the Greek Cypriots," said a Turkish source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "If it were to receive observer status, it would probably be represented by the Greek Cypriots who want to be included in all the international organizations that Turkey is represented on. By getting into the OIC, using whatever method, the Greek Cypriots are trying to counterbalance the presence of the Turkish Cypriots in the organization."

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has observer status at the OIC. Its official name at the OIC was changed from the "Muslim community of Northern Cyprus" to the "Turkish Cypriot State" at a 2004 OIC ministerial meeting in Istanbul. The Greek Cypriots considered the development a step towards international recognition of the TRNC and tried to prevent that by using its bilateral diplomatic relations, but failed.

During the preparatory meetings of the PUIOCM in Istanbul, Turkish officials emphasized that the OIC represents all Muslims in the world, no matter which sect they belong to. "So we gave the other Muslim states the message that the OIC can't grant an organization that represents just one specific sect of the Christian religion special status," continued the Turkish official. "All the members realized that such a move could create great trouble in the future and the IAO's request for observer status was rejected at the last minute."

Cyprus included in final declaration

Turkey also very smartly used the advantage of being the host country for the PUIOCM meeting and for the first time in the history of the organization succeeded in having paragraphs about the Cyprus problem and Greece's Western Thrace included in the final declaration. The PUIOCM, underlining the difficult conditions faced by Turkish Cypriots who are currently under an international economic embargo, made a call for solidarity with them to the Muslim world.

Main concern: Western double standards towards Muslim world

The danger of rising Islamophobia in Western countries topped the agenda of the OIC parliamentarians' discussions. A call was made on the PUIOCM parliament to help work against a campaign of "insulting the Muslim religion and the noble prophet." The PUIOCM also proposed that there be an application to the United Nations for a resolution banning the desecration of religious symbols both internationally and nationally.

The need to promote dialogue among civilizations was also included in the final statement of the PUIOCM Istanbul meeting, with special emphasis placed on countering Western campaigns against Islamic values. The statement read that the PUOICM:

- Invited all national parliaments to play an active role in implementing the Global Agenda on Dialogue Among Civilization of the UN resolution of 2001.

- Made a call for establishing a focal point for dialogue affiliated to the PUIOCM in each Parliament so as to take appropriate initiatives in coordinating with their respective governments and other participating institutions with a view to promoting the culture and the spirit of dialogue.

- Requested the coordination of the initiatives of some Islamic countries to establish centers and institutions for dialogue among cultures and civilizations.

- Underlined the need to teach Arabic to students from non-Arabic speaking Islamic states

Those at the PUIOCM meeting also discussed the issue of the democratization process in the Muslim world. The parliamentarians exchanged views about enacting national legislation promoting democracy, human rights, freedom of opinion and expression as well as ensuring effective participation of their citizens in the building and development of society.

Iraq represented by ambassador

Iraq, which was represented at the PUIOCM Istanbul meeting by its ambassador to Ankara, was another major topic of discussion. The importance of the preservation of Iraq's political unity and territorial integrity was also underlined in the final statement of the PUIOCM meeting. The representation of all ethnic and religious groups in Iraq's future government was also included in the Istanbul declaration, which was to be made public at the end of yesterday's meeting, as another crucial issue for the entire Muslim world.

Palestinian question

On the Middle East problem, those at the PUIOCM meeting reiterated OIC countries' parliaments solidarity with the Palestinians. The importance of protecting the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem against the threat of destruction and a fence built by Israel to prevent Palestinians from entering Israeli-controlled areas were also discussed during the meetings. The PUIOCM also made a call on the European Union to end the economic blockade of the Palestinian people and Palestinian Authority, underlining that the embargo is leading to a deterioration of Palestinians' living conditions.

The PUIOCM also touched on the nuclear row between Iran and the Western world, led by the U.S., without specifically naming the country. In the final declaration of the PUIOCM Istanbul meeting, the OIC parliaments called for the entire Middle East region to become a zone free of all weapons of mass destruction and, above all, nuclear weapons. The PUIOCM also gave its support to "the equal and inalienable rights of all nations to have free access to and usage of modern technologies and energy for their peaceful exploitation."

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