Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-30

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gary Robb discussed the international arrest warrant against him with the British to whom he sold left-unfinished Greek Cypriot properties.

[02] Gary Robb continues to challenge the British High Commissioner and admits that Soyer encourages him to develop Greek Cypriot properties.

[03] British usurper of Greek Cypriot property slams Tory MP for supporting the rights of the victims of the Turkish aggression.

[04] British reaction to the construction of a campus in the occupied Karmi-Trimithi area. The usurpers again involve EVKAF.

[05] CUMHURIYET: Multidimensional support from Bryza.

[06] Protocol to be signed between Turkey and its subordinate regime in occupied Cyprus.

[07] The direct trade regulation on the agenda of Rasit Pertev in his visit to Brussels.

[08] Local and Parliamentary by-elections lists announced.

[09] The German press welcomed the illegal regime´s national team with great interest.

[10] EU to open accession talks with Turkey on June 12.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gary Robb discussed the international arrest warrant against him with the British to whom he sold left-unfinished Greek Cypriot properties

Owners of properties being built by AGA constructions were told, at the meeting held at the Fireman´s Fez on May 23, that the British High Commissioner had been mistranslated and subsequently misquoted by the Turkish Press but that he neither represented the membership nor endorsed their purchasing property in the North as it was against all Foreign Office advice.

Other items covered included `the so-called Interpol international arrest warrant´, additions to contracts with AGA constructions being in Plain English, Police investigations into the company, parcelisation of land, the latest news from each site, an update on Gary Robb´s intentions to finish all projects, an offer, by Lawyer Mert Guclu, that he would hold surgeries at 9:30 a.m. each Friday in his Nicosia office and a decision to meet on the second Tuesday in every month.

[02] Gary Robb continues to challenge the British High Commissioner and admits that Soyer encourages him to develop Greek Cypriot properties

Are you really considering that there is perhaps a conspiracy to destroy you and your business activities here in North Cyprus, or perhaps what has happened to you is a series of coincidences and a catalogue of misinformation? inquired the Cyprus Observer of Gary Robb in an exclusive interview at the Nicosia office of his legal representative, UK Qualified lawyer Mert Guclu.

Displaying no hesitation or unwillingness to answer any of a robbing series of direct questions from our newspaper, Robb replied, Well it certainly looks like a conspiracy to me. I am not suggesting that there is an organized or cleverly coordinated campaign to discredit me but that is certainly what has happened as a result of the actions of certain people, not to mention biased reporting in the media which had me guilty of all sorts of misdemeanours prior to any knowledge of the facts.

Robb: I did not take AGA funds to Thailand

Responding to the matter of his fleeing to Thailand with monies paid to him by purchasers of properties on his various developments, including the Amaranta site that is far from complete, Robb replied, Thanks for giving me the chance to explain that one. As I explained to the `TRNC Government´ which incidentally has been enormously helpful and supportive throughout this sordid affair, I went to Thailand for two reasons. Firstly, me and the family often go there for our holidays and this was to be just another vacation, but secondly, I also planned to expand my construction business activities there following the disastrous tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. I thought there was a chance to make some money, but my real motivation was to assist a country I love to get back on its feet. And yes, I did take rather a lot of money, my own personal cash I must stress, not AGA Developments funds, as has been regularly mooted by the uninformed. But you need lots OF money to set up a business on the scale I had planned, just ask Terry Leheay, CEO of Tesco that company has started to trade successfully in the Far East and they will tell you that huge financial resources are required lots of ´readies´.

Robb went on to explain that whilst he was away in Thailand he received a telephone call from a former colleague in North Cyprus, Glenn Cowie, who reported that during his absence he (Glenn) was becoming increasingly concerned about matters concerning AGA Developments´ business affairs whilst it was under the stewardship of Robb´s local business partners.

I decided to extend my stay to protect my family

It was at this stage of the `AGA Saga´ that the media got hold of the `Gary Robb Flees with Clients´ Money´ story, speculation became rife and AGA property investors became increasingly concerned about the whereabouts of their money and the prospect of completion of the properties they had paid for.

When asked why, at this stage, all construction work on the various site had stopped and all plant, machinery and materials removed, Robb responded; It was not really my decision. As far as I was concerned the business was in good shape and in safe hands; this proved not to be the case and because of what was happening and all the negative press about me such as arrest warrants, drugs charges, illegal Turkish Cypriot citizenship, my passport and assets seized plus all sorts of other threats, I decided to extend my stay in Thailand to protect me and my family until everything got sorted out.

Was it then that you thought that there may be some sort of conspiracy going on; and are you by nature a conspiracy theorist on the scale of the death of Princess Diana perhaps, or the current story spreading on the web about what weapon hit the pentagon in Washington on 9/11? enquired the CYPRUS OBSERVER. I haven´t any idea whether Diana was murdered or died in a tragic Paris subway accident and this media speculation about planes and rockets or some other missile attacking the US is beyond me; and no I´m not a natural inquisitor about such events, but look, if someone could give me some accurate answers, you know, facts, accurate data, the truth about certain matters, not speculation, gossip and rumour, facts then I´m sure that things will soon be cleared up.

I was seen by an Embassy official in Thailand

Firstly, wonders Robb, Why do the British authorities in Thailand deny that I was seen by an Embassy official and offered advice. Secondly, why has the British High Commissioner in Cyprus said that I am wanted on drugs charges in Northumbria? It´s true that I have been invited to stand up and explain why drugs were found by police during a raid on one of my licensed clubs in Stockton-on-Tees which is under the jurisdiction of Cleveland, not in Northumbria, does the High Commissioner have a map or is he up to something?.

But just a minute Gary, you do have an allegation about drugs to answer for the benefit of our readers or Aramanta Valley investors. Are you or have you ever been a `druggy´ yourself, or are you or ever have been a dealer or pusher of soft or hard drugs? No, Robb replied, Certainly not, I don´t even smoke cigarettes or take any form of non- prescription drugs, apart from an occasional alcoholic beverage! These allegations which refer to just one of my many licensed clubs and bars in North East England where perhaps my staff were not diligent enough to stop some of our younger generation customers from bringing recreational drugs into the music bar, but I wasn´t even there on the night in question! This brings me on to my third point if I am wanted on drugs charges in Cleveland, or Northumbria as Peter Millet mistakenly has it, why did the British High Commission in Nicosia renew my passport in January 2001 instead of arresting me and send me back to the UK under the criminal repatriation arrangements between the two countries?

Fourthly, went on Robb, Why did Interpol not realize that their Arrest Warrant for me, which led to my brief detention in Thailand, was nothing more than a predictable and unenforceable ploy by the Greek Cypriots to get their greasy little hands on AGA Developments´ property, which they maintain is Greek owned. Thankfully, the Thai authorities saw through this petty nonsense, ignored the warrant and let me go.

Warning to his arguments, Robb then made his fifth and last point about what he referred to as lies, confusion and misinformation spread about him as, He struggles to find a solution to the unfinished building developments and customer´s investments.

Robb a qualified North Cyprus citizen

People say that I am living here as a citizen and businessman, having fraudulently or corruptly attained my personal citizenship and certificates of business incorporation. More lies or distortions of the facts, said Robb. His lawyer, Mert Guclu was then able to show official documents that Robb had qualified for citizenship in North Cyprus having resided here (in Catalkoy) (Tr. Note: occupied Ayios Epiktitos) for five years. All documents regarding the legality of AGA Developments trading in North Cyprus on the table seemed to be in order.

So? enquired Robb, If you add all this up with the activities of my former business associates who blatantly took steps to take over my business and weaken my position whilst I was out of the country, it´s not difficult to conclude that there may be some sort of conspiracy going on. I hope that it can all be sorted out quickly, sooner I hope than the French authorities are taking to tell us how and why Princess Diana died! (CYPRUS OBSERVER is unable to report on matters between Robb and his former associates in AGA Developments, as court action is pending and is subject to the rule of sub-judice).

Robb will complete the development

When asked about the future and the plans for completing and handing over the homes the AGA Developments´ investors and customers have paid for, Well responded Robb, With the help of my Mum Mavis and Glenn here, I am now legally back in North Cyprus, I´m fit and well and raring to go and with the encouragement of the `Prime Minister´, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, and his `Government´ we are taking positive steps to speedily complete the various development projects to everybody´s complete satisfaction, so we can move on to other things.

Before concluding the interview with Robb, he explained that sufficient financial resources, labour, plant and materials are available and being assembled to start the completion of projects within a matter of days. As some of our customers will testify, a few minor jobs have already started and the rest will follow soon; and please assure your readers, asked Robb, That my personal assets, which are open to scrutiny, are more than enough to finish all the projects and please assure them that I am committed to North Cyprus, my wife AGA, who is a Turkish Cypriot, will be joining me here again soon so that we can settle the kids in school and get on living as normal a life as is possible.

[03] British usurper of Greek Cypriot property slams Tory MP for supporting the rights of the victims of the Turkish aggression

Paul Whitmore, 69, said this week that the article, written by Theresa Villiers, Tory MP for Chipping Barnet in North London, was ill-informed and naïve.

The article in the newsletter, which was sent to all Tory Party members in Mrs Villiers´s constituency, says: Our Prime Minister´s wife does not always enjoy positive press coverage. After her recent intervention in delicate matters in Cyprus, it is easy to see why.

As many of you may be aware, thousands of Cypriots were driven from their homes during the 1974 invasion by Turkey and have been trying unsuccessfully to get their property back ever since. Many of my constituents are British Cypriots who find themselves in this sad situation.

As Cherie Booth QC, Mrs Blair has chosen to defend a British couple who purported to `buy´ land in Northern Cyprus when they must have known that it was owned by a Cypriot family who were forcibly driven out of their property in 1974.

While I appreciate that the Prime Minister´s wife is entitled to conduct her professional career as she sees fit, I was both surprised and dismayed that she should choose to take up such a politically sensitive case.

I have written to the Foreign Secretary urging him to recall the judgment of the European Court of Human rights in the Loizidou case which held that Ankara´s denial of the property rights of Greek Cypriot refugees constitutes a breach of the European Conventions of Human Rights.

Speaking at his holiday home in Yesiltepe (occupied Elia), which his family purchased in 1983, Mr Whitemore said: The comments made by Mrs Villiers are ill-informed and naïve. What also annoys me is that there are probably as many Turkish Cypriots living in Chipping Barnet as there are Greeks There are quite a few of both.

Mr Whitemore, a long-standing member of the Conservative Party, sent a letter of complaint to Mrs Villiers, part of which stated: I suggest you have been somewhat misinformed and have your facts wrong, and while understanding your obvious wish to appease your Greek Cypriot constituents, what about the Turkish Cypriot voters?

May I further suggest that prior to the next time you become a standard-bearer for Greek Cypriot racial policies, you read the Genocide Files by Hary Scott Gibbons.

Was not the invasion brought about by the racial policies of the Greek Cypriots? And, I might add, the Greeks had been warned on numerous occasions to stop ill-treating their Turkish neighbours.

The Turkish Cypriots have offered the hand of friendship by opening the `border´ gates in the `Green Line´ to allow the Greek Cypriots access and voting to take the whole island into the EU. The Greek side voted against it, possibly on the advice of their clergy, and then stated they had made a mistake and could they vote again.

Regrettably for the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots have a well-oiled and financed anti Turkish publicity machine and I feel you have unwittingly joined it.

Can I ask you to look into the Cyprus situation again and hopefully with an open mind? I am sure you are aware that there are lobby groups in the Houses of Parliament advocating better trade deals for the north of the island. Why not speak with them to get the other side´s view?

I can assure you that many, many Turkish Cypriots also lost homes, farms and olive groves. In fact the Greek side has built an airport on one Turkish olive growers´ land and refused fair compensation. Turkish Cypriots have also lost businesses and their livelihoods, not to forget the many innocent civilians who died in fact over a thousand are still `missing´.

However, the Turkish Cypriots are prepared to move on and not live in the past.

Please do some unbiased research and for the sake of your other constituents, write a letter advocating better deals for the North.

[04] British reaction to the construction of a campus in the occupied Karmi-Trimithi area. The usurpers again involve EVKAF

GAU Univer-City project - Welcome to Hell is a better name!

The owner of Girne (occupied Kyrenia) American University, Serhat Akpinar, obviously does not know the difference between three floors and two floors and a basement (generally underground). The building at Edremit (occupied Trimithi village) definitely has three floors and in parts four floors. He says he has not done anything wrong, but he did not answer a single question on the issue.

The men are working from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week, quite often half the night as well. I wonder if he would like to live opposite, with the noise and dust?

And he has not addressed the hygiene issues. The surrounding area is being used as a toilet and rubbish dump. It´s like the Middle Ages. How long before we have outbreaks of typhus and typhoid? He has still not supplied running water, only a tank.

Serhat says it will bring prosperity to the area. Local residents are all for education, but not at any cost just to allow a businessman, a builder and perhaps a few politicians to line their pockets.

Please, Serhat, address the issues before it´s too late.

And how about some comments from the EVKAF on what´s happening to their land? Serhat says he will pay the EVKAF 7000 Pounds Sterling a month when the project is complete but who agreed to that? All he has to do is leave a little unfinished work and they will get zero!

Ken Earley

Edremit

[05] CUMHURIYET: Multidimensional support from Bryza

Turkish daily CUMHURIYET newspaper Ankara edition (29.05.06) reports under the above title an exclusive interview given by Mr Matthew Bryza, the US State Department deputy undersecretary responsible for Europe and Eurasia to the papers Brussels correspondent Elçin Poyrazlar. The papers correspondent says that Mr Bryza openly gave his support to Turkey on Cyprus, the PKK and the EU membership.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Question: Certain circles within the EU express the view that there could be a Cyprus crisis between the EU and Turkey this year. Do you expect such a crisis?

Answer: We do expect that there would be no crisis on the Cyprus issue. However, the views of some member countries and the EU Commission that Turkey has the obligation to extend the Ankara protocol in a manner to include South Cyprus as well is known. If certain countries take a tougher stance as regards when Turkey should fulfill this obligation, then, a number of serious differences of views between Turkey and the EU could surface.

Subtitle: Europes decision is political

Question: Do you expect overtures regarding the Cyprus problem to take place this year?

Answer: Yes. I do. I hope. Of course this is not an issue that we will decide. Certain circles within the EU express the view that in order for Turkeys EU process to continue, Turkey has to open its ports to south Cyprus this year. But, there is no such provision in the 3rd October decisions. Europe has to take a political decision. It is Europe that has to define how it will advance as regards Turkeys opening of its ports and to decide how it will help Turkey towards this end.

Question: How do you evaluate the criticism within the EU that Turkeys reform process has slowed down?

Answer: On this issue the USA characterization will change nothing. The real issue is Turkeys convincing of the EU as regards the opening of its ports and the number of reforms that it has to realize for joining the club. It is a fact that the general conviction prevailing in Europe is that the reform process in Turkey has slowed down. On the other hand Turkey has passed the Social Security Law. This is very positive.

(Tr. Note questions regarding armed forces over border operations in Iraq and on the PKK were omitted)

(MHY)

[06] Protocol to be signed between Turkey and its subordinate regime in occupied Cyprus

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´) in Ankara on Monday.

Soyer and an accompanying delegation are currently in Turkey to sign additional protocol of economic & financial cooperation protocol between Turkey and the `TRNC´. Turkey grants 135 million USD of loan under this cooperation protocol.

The additional protocol will be signed by Soyer and Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener tomorrow.

[07] The direct trade regulation on the agenda of Rasit Pertev in his visit to Brussels

The `Presidential Undersecretary´ Rasit Pertev has said that the EU Direct Trade Regulation is still on the table and continues to dominate the agenda.

Mr Pertev is flying to Vienna tomorrow for contacts on the issue of the EU Direct Trade Regulation.

Austria holds the term presidency of the European Union.

Rasit Pertev, reminded, in response to our question, that it was through the EU term president Austrias leading efforts that the 259 million euros worth of EU Financial Aid to North Cyprus was finally being made available.

He stressed that the EUs Direct Trade Regulation continues to be on the table and on the agenda.

Stating that the Financial Aid Regulation has been put into practice and now the European Union is working on the Direct Trade Regulation, the `Presidential Undersecretary´ Mr Pertev said the EU intends to listen to the views of the two sides in Cyprus.

He added that in Vienna, he would be explaining to the relevant authorities, the Turkish Cypriot Sides stance on the issue.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot YENIDUZEN newspaper (30.05.06) reports that Mr Pertev will meet with the General Secretary of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Mr Johannes Kyrle, tomorrow.

[08] Local and Parliamentary by-elections lists announced

The High Electoral Council has officially declared the names of the candidates who are to contest next months local elections and the parliamentary by-elections.

The elections are scheduled for the 25th of June.

At the same time, the District Electoral Councils announced the names of the candidates who are contesting in their respective areas.

A total of 28 mayors, 223 local council members and a thousand and 154 muchtars and the elderly council members, will be elected.

Parliamentary by-elections are being held to elect two vacated seats in the `TRNC Parliament´, one in Lefkosia, and the other in Girne (occupied Kyrenia).

[09] The German press welcomed the illegal regime´s national team with great interest

The team flew yesterday morning via Istanbul to Hamburg, Germany, in order to participate in the FIFI WILD CUP. The whole team together with the players arrived in Germany with a 34-man group.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (30.05.06) reports that last night the team has played and won its first match against Greenland with 1-0 score, while today it will play its second match.

(M/L)

[10] EU to open accession talks with Turkey on June 12

The European Union is poised to open actual accession talks with Turkey on June 12, a Turkish Internet website reports on Monday.

The ABHaber (EUNews) news portal, based on its EU sources, claims that the EU Council of Foreign Ministers will convene in Luxembourg on June 12 to open the actual accession talks if no unforeseen eventuality arises before then.

Turkey and the Union have been carrying out orientation meetings and screening of Turkey's legal regulations since 3 October 2005 when the EU decided to open talks with Turkey.

The EU and Turkish officials are expected to commence actual accession talks on the chapter of "Science and Technology" whose screening process has been successfully completed.

The opening of actual talks, even of a single chapter, is expected to strengthen the position of reformists in Turkey, including that of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The actual accession talks were expected to commence in the spring of 2006.

/SK

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