Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-25

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] Talat argues that the Turkish side will benefit nothing from the opening of Pyrgos-Limnitis crossing point.

[02] Ankara tries to put the blame on the UN Secretary General to justify its separatist plans.

[03] Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer expresses his satisfaction for UN initiative call.

[04] Turkish Cypriot leader discusses Cyprus problem with a British Euro members delegation. Calls for lifting Turkish Cypriots´ isolation.

[05] The Turkish Spokesman sees the parliamentary elections in the free areas of Cyprus as a unification rejection call by Greek Cypriots.

[06] Serdar Denktas said that the elections result in the Republic of Cyprus sends the message that osmosis is one-way road.

[07] TRNC presents its natural and cultural beauties to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

[08] Mr Glafcos Clerides and his family are to be hosted today for dinner by Turkish Cypriot leader in occupied Lefkosia.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] In spite of the statements that the Turkish side wants a federal solution and a united Cyprus, Turkish officials confess anonymously that their aim is the establishment of two states on the Island.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat argues that the Turkish side will benefit nothing from the opening of Pyrgos-Limnitis crossing point

Speaking yesterday during a lunch with the administrators, the editors and the columnists of KIBRIS Media Group, Mr Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriots are trying to make the opening of the Ledra Street barricade to be forgotten and that the Pyrgos Limnitis crossing point has been turned into a barricade that could have a very small contribution to the inhabitants of occupied Limnitis village.

Mr Talat alleged, inter alia, the following: While they were putting the Ledra Street barricade into the Green Line Regulation they asked us as well about it. We said put it. First Zodia and then Ledra Street (should open), we said. Afterwards, the European Union, without consulting with us, added the two barricades of Limnitis and Kokkina villages into the Green Line Regulation.

The inhabitants of Pyrgos village persuaded those from Limnitis and some pro-solution and pro-rapprochement persons started an activity. The opening of this gate, however, brings nothing to the Turkish side. It only ensures the easier communication for the persons from Limnitis village. As a side effect of the opening of many gates, the wish of the preservation of the status quo increases.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot side of not wanting a solution and of having the intention to preserve the current situation by asking the opening of new crossing points, Mr Talat alleged: We must choose which gates to open. Limnitis is not a necessity. It only ensures an advantage to the Greek Cypriots.

Referring to the internal affairs of the Turkish Cypriots, Mr Talat alleged also that significant progress was made in the recent period in the direction of the democratization and the Turkish Cypriots being sovereign. He argued that the Turkish Cypriots are today in a better position from the point of view of governing themselves and that they ask no one while they take their decisions. Giving as example the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines and the Central Bank, Mr Talat expressed the opinion that the Turkish Cypriot institutions are slowly slowly being put in to order.

Meanwhile, commenting on the meeting with Mr Talat, the editor-in-chief of KIBRIS, Basaran Duzgun writes that he saw a very significant change on the way Talat approaches the issues. He notes that Mr Talat is now saying openly that if he is to make a step the Turkish side should have a benefit. Mr Duzgun notes, inter alia, the following: Talat thinks that the Greek Cypriot side will ensure more benefits from the opening of Limnitis gate and asks what will we get in return of this? The same thing is valid for Varosha as well. .

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ankara tries to put the blame on the UN Secretary General to justify its separatist plans

The paper reports that since the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan will not take any initiative because President Papadopoulos came out strengthened, in the last Sundays elections in Cyprus, as a result of this, Turkey has started to work on a new plan regarding the Cyprus problem. According to the plan, reports CUMHURIYET if Annan refuses to take initiative, Ankara will call for a referendum similar to the one held in Montenegro in which separation of Montenegro from the federal administration was asked. In this referendum the Turkish Cypriots will be asked whether they want or not to unite with the Greek Cypriot side.

In case the result is no the TRNC administration and Ankara once more will declare the result to the world and the TRNC will demand recognition with the right to direct trade. Turkey will raise this issue in the UN and in the Islamic Conference Organization.

Former TRNC envoy to Ankara Ahmet Zeki Bulunc, who has evaluated the post-election process to the CUMHURIYET, said that it would be very difficult for the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to take initiative. Expressing the view that election results demonstrated that single island state approach no more exist, Bulunc said that Turkey should, as soon as possible, engage in policy change. Bulunc said: First of all we have to say the following, Turkeys Action Plan was not result oriented. This plan not only did not bring new elements from the Greek Cypriot point of view, it was tantamount to accepting the 17 December decision, and the elements included in the 3 October Negotiation Framework and 9 November Accession Partnership documents.

In order Turkey to call for a referendum under these conditions it should depart from the Annan Plan. It is absolutely necessary for Turkey to put forward a reconciliatory status based on two peoples and two states which will guarantee Turkeys rights stipulated under the Treaty of Alliance and will maintain Greco-Turkish balance.

(MHY)

[03] Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer expresses his satisfaction for UN initiative call

Mr Soyer said the rejection of the Annan plan by the Greek Cypriot Side has resulted in the current deadlock in the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on the United Nations Secretary Generals plans to send his Special Representative to Cyprus Michael Moller on a fact finding mission to Cyprus, Ankara and Athens, Mr Soyer said this is good news as far as the Turkish Cypriot side is concerned.

[04] Turkish Cypriot leader discusses Cyprus problem with a British Euro members delegation. Calls for lifting Turkish Cypriots´ isolation

Ways to remove the international isolation of the occupied part of Cyprus, the issue of opening direct flights to-and-from the TRNC, and the establishment of humanitarian technical committees were among the topics discussed during the hour-and a half long meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting on behalf of the delegation, British Euro MP Richard Howitt said the aim of the visit was to exchange and listen to the views and concerns of both sides on the island.

Mr Howitt said the focus of the delegations meeting with Mr Talat had been to look into ways to remove the international isolation of occupied part of Cyprus and to discuss prospects of finding a solution to the Cyprus Problem under the UN umbrella.

Asked, whether or not he and his friends believed there is political atmosphere on the island suitable for a new initiative, Mr Howitt said that currently great differences existed between the two sides.

He stressed the importance of the need to establish the much-talked-about technical committees in order to build confidence between the two sides on the island.

Also speaking, the British Euro-MP Robert Evans pointed to the importance of the need to have the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots lifted, and reminded that the European Union has been looking for ways to solve this problem.

He said he believes direct international flights to and from the occupied part of Cyprus should be free to take place.

The Euro-MPs said the European Union should work more to put the direct trade regulation into practice as soon as possible so as to ease the unjustified international isolation of the occupied part of Cyprus.

But he claimed that to achieve that - Turkey should ratify the additional protocol - extending its customs union with the European Union and, open its ports to the Republic of Cyprus.

[05] The Turkish Spokesman sees the parliamentary elections in the free areas of Cyprus as a unification rejection call by Greek Cypriots

In a weekly press conference, Tan stated: ''The parliamentary election held in Greek Cyprus on May 21st, 2006 is important. It was the first one after the referendums held in the island on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan (on April 24th, 2004). It is also a signal regarding the election to be held to choose the leader of Greek Cypriot administration in 2008.''

Underlining that the result of Greek Cypriot parliamentary election demonstrated that those who are opposed to the efforts of solution in Cyprus are the winners, Tan said: ''Another interesting outcome of the elections was that votes of President Tassos Papadopoulos' DIKO party increased by 3.07 percent''.

''We hope that the international community and EU countries are monitoring this disturbing developments,'' he added.

[06] Serdar Denktas said that the elections result in the Republic of Cyprus sends the message that osmosis is one-way road