Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-11

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Serdar Denktas comments on the Cyprus problem during his visit to Slovakia; the Czech model can be used for a solution.

[02] Soyer favours a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution.

[03] Reactions on Garry Robbs issue continue.

[04] Musa Sonmezler the new President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry meets the Danish Ambassador in Lefkosia.

[05] BDH: The government has betrayed the road map.

[06] Spanish journalists to visit the TRNC.

[07] International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will take place in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[08] Dog fighting during the Sea Lion 2006 exercise in the Aegean Sea.

[09] The so-called Lefkosias Municipal Theatre in the occupied Cyprus became a member of a European Organization.

[10] Turkey to get expertise training and technical equipment assistance from the USA.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Serdar Denktas comments on the Cyprus problem during his visit to Slovakia; the Czech model can be used for a solution

Continuing his contacts in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, Mr Denktas said the formula used to separate Slovakia and the Czech Republic which brought a peaceful end to the Czechoslovak Federation, can be used for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The remarks by Mr Denktas came during his speech on the Cyprus problem, at an event in the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, organized by the think-tank organization, the Slovakian Union of Politics.

Expressing the hope that the drive for a peaceful solution by the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey and their contributions to the whole peace process for Cyprus would continue; Mr Serdar Denktas alleged that the Greek Cypriot side too, should adopt a goodwill policy.

Unless the Greek Cypriot side joins in, it will be difficult to achieve progress towards a solution to the Cyprus problem he argued.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot side of hindering a bizonal bicommunal solution to the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the two sides, Mr Denktas alleged that the Greek Cypriot Administration is still rejecting the idea of power sharing with Turkish Cypriots, just as it is fusing to respect their political equality to the Greek Cypriot side.

Alleging that President Tassos Papadopoulos has no right to represent the Turkish Cypriots he argued that the Turkish Cypriots are still being punished today by the international community, despite their overwhelming support to the peace plan drawn up by the international community itself.

As for Turkeys new Action Plan on Cyprus, Mr Denktas expressed the opinion that this plan is likely to contribute to the efforts aimed at finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

[02] Soyer favours a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution

Mr Soyer said that the international recognition of the Greek Cypriot Administration as the legal government of the island does not change this.

Speaking during a visit paid to him yesterday, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer said the rule of law was not enough in itself to address the current situation in Cyprus, adding that democracy and legitimacy were also vital in the process.

He accused the Greek Cypriot Administration of illegally occupying the seat of the Cyprus Republic since 1964, of moving towards the one sided membership to the European Union, and of being undemocratic and illegitimate.

Stressing that the Greek Cypriot Administration had neither the power nor the authority to represent the Turkish Cypriots under the title of the Cyprus Republic, Mr Soyer complained that the Greek Cypriot side continued in an undemocratic and illegitimate way to occupy two seats spared for the Turkish Cypriots in the European Parliament.

Mr Soyer stressed the importance of the need to improve the occupied Cyprus economy and put an end to the economic disparity between North and South Cyprus so as to prepare the ground for a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the two sides.

Mr Soyer reaffirmed the Turkish Cypriots determination to continue working towards a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution and the removal of the international isolation imposed on them.

Mr Soyer´s words came after similar remarks he made during an event the day before yesterday evening organized by his Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to promote the partys candidates for Junes so-called mayoral and parliamentary byelections.

He told party delegates and supporters that any solution to be found to the Cyprus problem must be based on bi-zonality, bi-communality and the political equality of the two sides.

Calling on President Tassos Papadopoulos to abandon his intransigence and to help resume to the Cyprus negotiation process, Mr Soyer said that the Turkish Cypriots only desire was to live a decent life in peace within a united Europe.

[03] Reactions on Garry Robbs issue continue

Illegal Bayrak television (10.05.06) broadcast the following regarding statements by Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled Prime Minister of the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus):

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that the detention of Gary Robb the owner of the AGA Development Company - was an attempt by the Greek Cypriot Side to ruin the North Cyprus´ economy and disturb people buying property in the `TRNC´.

Explaining that millions of Sterling worth of machines, building equipment and materials owned by the AGA Development had been looted after Mr Robbs departure from the `TRNC´, he said the government had intervened to stop the looting and to prevent the collapse of the company.

Referring to the issue during a visit paid to him today, the Prime Minister put an end to rumors about Gary Robb - the owner of the AGA Development Company who returned to the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ after his brief detention in Thailand.

Reminding that Mr Robb arrived in North Cyprus in 2003 and had gained `TRNC´ citizenship then, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer reminded that Mr Robbs investments had created jobs and interests involving hundreds of Britons.

Complaining of the rumors to the effect that Mr Robb fled the country and in doing that, caused panic and uncertainty, he said that the ensuing confusion had led to a slow down in building and construction activity.

This was the result of the Greek Cypriot propaganda aimed at people buying property in the TRNC, he said.

He said the government had then decided to intervene and take responsibility to continue the stalled building work.

By doing this, the government stopped the looting of millions of Pounds worth of machinery and equipment owned by the AGA Development, he said.

The Prime Minister said that Mr Robb has, since, informed the government of his intention to finalize his projects in the `TRNC´.

The Prime Minister said that Mr Robb was detained in Thailand just a day before his return to the Republic after an arrest warrant was issued by Interpol in line with a request from the Greek Cypriot Government.

He added that Mr Robb was released by the Thai authorities after they were briefed by the British Government.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (11.05.06) refers to Mr Soyers statement under the title: Look at this jobSoyer: We have saved Robb from the Greek Cypriots. The paper writes that Mr Soyer alleged that the arrest warrant of Interpol against Mr Robb had been postponed, that he would be arrested by the Greek Cypriots in Thailand and taken to the free areas of the Island so that President Papadopoulos is presented to be a hero.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (11.05.06) refers to Mr Soyers statement under the title The confession of a scandal and calls on Mr Soyer to resign.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (11.05.06) publishes statements by Mr Robb who argued that he returned to the occupied areas of Cyprus in order to finish the constructions he had began. Commenting on the information that he swindled 1.5 million sterling pounds and run away to Thailand, Mr Robb described these accusations as comic allegations and added that when the self-styled government estimated the property owned by him and his company in the occupied areas of Cyprus, it found out that it was about 65 million sterling pounds. Would it not be a stupidity to leave such a property and money and run away with 1.5 million sterling pounds, he wondered.

Asked whether or not he will have enough money to finish the buildings his company had been constructing, Mr Robb said that in his bank accounts which had been frozen, he has more than enough money to do this.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Musa Sonmezler the new President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry meets the Danish Ambassador in Lefkosia

A statement from the Chamber said that Mr Sonmezler received full support of all members of the Chambers Board.

The position had been vacant since the resignation of the former-President Salih Tunar.

In the afternoon, the newly elected Board received the Danish Ambassador to Lefkosia Svend Waever.

Speaking at the meeting with the Danish Ambassador, Mr Sonmezler pointed to the importance of the need for the European Union to open an office in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) which, he said, would help improve mutual relations and confidence.

Briefing Mr Waever on the domestic production, commerce and the overall economic structure in the TRNC, Musa Sonmezler stated that the occupied Cyprus economy has achieved considerable improvement in last two years.

He said that the TRNC has no export to Denmark but its imports from this country amounts to 1.6 million US dollars. He expressed the wish that trade between Denmark and the occupied Cyprus becomes more balanced.

For his part the Danish Ambassador Svend Waever expressed the hope that the European Union will find a solution to the isolation and embargoes of the TRNC, and said there could be no objection to an EU office being opened here in the TRNC.

He also expressed the belief that the Cyprus problem will be solved step by step.

[05] BDH: The government has betrayed the road map

He went on and said that in the referendum the Turkish Cypriots not only said yes to solution and to the EU membership but also said yes to democratization, to destroying the status quo, to getting rid of the hostage policy, to bringing about civilian rule and to ruling themselves. However, Cakici added: The CTP-DP `coalition government´ instead of trying to realize these, had opted to secure its rule and the seats that they occupy.

In his written statement Mr. Cakici stressed that his movement is bound by the 24 April 2004 will. He strongly criticized the self-styled coalition government in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.

(MHY)

[06] Spanish journalists to visit the TRNC

Some members of the Spanish delegation, which according to the paper will have an intensive schedule of meetings during their visit in occupied Cyprus, will participate as speakers in a conference organised by BASIN-SEN, under the title Journalism in areas where conflicts are taking place. The conference will take place at the illegal Near East University.

The paper writes that the Spanish journalists will meet with the self-styled president in the TRNC Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, tomorrow morning at the Saray Hotel in occupied Lefkosia. The same day the journalists will hold meeting with the self-styled Prime Minister Ferdi Soyer, the self-styled Minister of Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas and the general secretary of the National Unity Party, Turgay Avci. The Spanish delegation will make a trip of a social nature on Sunday to the occupied Karpass peninsula.

The Spanish delegation consist of the following journalists: Dr Felipe Marana Marcos, member of the executive committee of the Spanish section of the European Journalists Union, Francisco Jose Sevilla Garcia, Political Correspondence of the Spanish State radio, (the two men will participate as speakers in the conference), Manuel Alberto Rubio Paillole, International News Chief of the La Raison, Hendrik-Jan Boom, Miguel Humanez Fernandez the Director of America Economica and Javier Otazu the chief of the Middle East Office of the Spanish News Agency.

The delegation, which will depart from the occupied areas of Cyprus on Monday the 15th of May, is accompanied by Dogan Tilic, Deputy Secretary General of the European Journalists Union and Turkey Press Workers Trade Union representative.

(C/S)

[07] International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament will take place in the occupied areas of Cyprus

The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot so-called Handicappers Federation, Mustafa Barisel said that until now it is known for sure that seven teams will participate in the tournament. These teams are: The national team of the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus), Turkeys A national team and youth (under eighteen) national team, Polands team, Germanys Mix Turkish team, All Stars team from Holland and Israel.

Mr Barisel added that the team of Bosnia and Herzegovina might visit the occupied areas of Cyprus via Istanbul and participate in the tournament. The Belgium team, which earlier announced that it would participate in the tournament, informed the Turkish Cypriots that it will not take part in the tournament.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Dog fighting during the Sea Lion 2006 exercise in the Aegean Sea

The paper alleges that Greek Air Force jets had harassed the Turkish jets and the helicopters that took part in the exercise and as a result of it the Turkish jets intervened and there were dog fights between the Greek and Turkish jets.

(MHY)

[09] The so-called Lefkosias Municipal Theatre in the occupied Cyprus became a member of a European Organization

The newspaper reports that this membership was essential for the opening of the Turkish Cypriot theatre to the world.

(M/L)

[10] Turkey to get expertise training and technical equipment assistance from the USA

'' `Turkey will get expertise training and technical equipment assistance from the United States to help identify materials with double usage that contain sensitive technology that may be used in manufacturing of weapons of mass destruction´,'' Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan said on Wednesday.

Responding to a question about the agreement that was signed between Turkey and the United States on NPT (the treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons), Mr Tan said Turkey signed all the international arrangements toward non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

`The agreement was signed between Turkey and the United States on June 14th, 2005 aiming to provide necessary expertise and technological support to develop export controls,' Mr Tan said, adding that the agreement envisaged United States' giving technical equipment and expertise to help identify materials with double usage that contain sensitive technology that may be used in weapons of mass destruction.

Stating that Turkey was located in a sensitive geography for spread of materials with double usage to undesired users, Mr Tan said the agreement targeted giving expertise training to the staff of the institutions that have responsibility in exports control and that may help some customs gates to identify materials that contain sensitive technology.

Mr Tan said the assistance would be made through the program, 'Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance-EXBS)´ .

/SK

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