Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-06-21

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan: No new steps in Cyprus.

[02] Gul announces new approaches in the expected OIC final declaration and talks between Russia and the TRNC.

[03] Gul welcomes Greek involvement in the Cyprus problem.

[04] Letter by Talat to Annan on the technical committees.

[05] Talat, Papadopoulos to meet on the 3rd of July.

[06] TUSIAD: Negotiations will solve the Cyprus problem.

[07] Dervis Kemal Deniz continues his contacts in Baku.

[08] KIBRIS: Crucial days on the property issue.

[09] UBP´s recourse against the Property Law has been rejected.

[10] Bush to extend support to Turkey, Cyprus solution.

[11] Statements by Eric Edelman.

[12] Illegal Bayrak on the Turkish Cypriot Workers´ unregistered employment.

[13] VOLKAN: Talat reacted strongly against the efforts to export potatoes produced in the occupied areas of Cyprus through the port of Limassol.

[14] From the Turkish Dailies (21.06.06).

[15] The "Property Compensation Commission" concluded three cases

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[16] Columnist in YENI SAFAK argues that Erdogan´s tough words are part of a diplomatic chess.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan: No new steps in Cyprus

Prime Minister Erdogan has complained that his messages to the EU are being viewed as harsh. He said: My messages are not new. I have been saying the same thing ever since 3 November. The thing is that promises must be fulfilled by everyone involved.

Addressing his party faction, the prime minister focused mainly on the EU issue. He reiterated that Turkey will not take new steps unless the isolation of north Cyprus comes to an end. He said:

`Our interlocutors must also fulfill their promises and do whatever needs to be done. Otherwise, they will have to excuse us. It is ugly to say that Turkey is a tough negotiator; Turkey is not a difficult country but an honest one. Ups and downs are natural in this process.´

Erdogan stressed that the EU project is not a periodic tactic for Turkey. He also reacted to the criticism being leveled by the opposition adding:

`Weren't those circles who now speak against the EU involved in past negotations with the EU? All of them, from A to Z. The MHP [Nationalist Action Party], ANAP [Motherland Party], DSP [Democratic Left Party], CHP [Republican People's Party], DYP [True Path Party], all of them were involved in the negotiations. Nevertheless, now you see that they are acting for an audience. They should excuse us; Turkey is not a lump of sugar you can throw into water and wait for it to dissolve and disappear´.

Charging that the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ was being punished even though it had supported the Annan plan, the prime minister criticized the United Nations, and went on:

`The report went to the UN Security Council [UNSC] about two years ago but it has not been discussed there yet. How can we explain this? How can the UNSC explain it? Why has it not issued a statement about this matter until now? Then what is the duty of the UNSC? The leaders of some EU member countries describe my statements as very harsh. My messages are not new. I have been telling them the same things during our talks with them after 3 November´.

The prime minister affirmed that Turkey will continue to take positive steps if the EU keeps its word regarding Cyprus.

Erdogan then warned the deputies in connection with the party meeting to be held in Antalya over the weekend. He told them: You must come there with proposals.

The prime minister reacted to comments that the party may decide at the meeting to go to early elections, stressing that the meeting is in the nature of a consultation and nothing else.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime Turkey has declared in the occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops territories of Cyprus)

[02] Gul announces new approaches in the expected OIC final declaration and talks between Russia and the TRNC

Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in Azerbaijani capital Baku for the 33rd meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said that he was more hopeful for solution of the crisis related to Iran's nuclear program after he held talks yesterday.

Informing Turkish reporters on his bilateral talks in Baku, Gul noted that Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Motaki and Turkish authorities have been exerting efforts for solution of the problem through diplomatic ways for a long time.

"Both European and also Russian officials encouraged us on this matter. I extended utmost support for a diplomatic solution. Mr Prime Minister also did what was necessary," Gul stated.

Noting that he considered the OIC meeting an opportunity for the Cyprus issue, Gul stated that they informed Islam countries on this matter once again.

Gul stressed that several countries expressed their support to thesis of Turkey regarding the Cyprus issue.

Underlining that there would be new approaches on the Cyprus issue in the final declaration to be released tomorrow, Gul said: "TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) and Russia attended the OIC meeting as observes. They (TRNC and Russia) also held talks. This is a good development."

Gul said that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and he discussed Upper Karabakh issue in their meeting. "Azerbaijan is fully supported in the meeting of OIC. He (Aliyev) is really glad. He said that OIC is the one which extended the utmost support to his country."

Gul added: "We attach great importance to African countries. We want to boost relations with those countries."

[03] Gul welcomes Greek involvement in the Cyprus problem

"Greece for the first time formally declared that it is involved in the Cyprus issue," Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday.

Gul, currently in Baku to attend the 33rd meeting of foreign ministers of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyianni's declaration that they would be a party to the Cyprus issue was a positive one.

"Greece was saying that it would not be involved in the issue. Turkey was saying that Greece is a guarantor country. It was revealed for the first time. Greece has actually been involved. In fact I am very pleased to see such a stance of Greece pertaining to Cyprus."

"Turkey, while searching for resolution under the UN roof, said it would not happen without Turkey and Greece as guarantor states," Gul said.

"Greece was staying away a little and it was saying that this issue concerned the Cypriots. I am pleased over such a change in Greece's stance because it is a guarantor state. Everybody knows that Greece is involved in this matter although it says the opposite. So Turkey, Greece and the parties of Cyprus may convene."

"As a reply to such proposals, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, 'we, as four parties, can sit at a table, drink coffee and talk," Gul said.

"Also I received similar suggestions. Greece stayed away from our proposals. This in fact is included in our recent action plan proposal which foresees a meeting of the four parties in the shortest time possible. So I consider it quite positive," Gul indicated.

[04] Letter by Talat to Annan on the technical committees

Talat´s spokesman Hasan Ercakica said in a weekly news conference that Talat sent a letter to Annan on June 15th, 2006 and noted that in spite of constructive efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side and UN the Greek Cypriot side has been preventing the establishment of technical committees since February.

"Talat asked Annan to get involved in the issue," added Ercakica.

Noting that no concrete development regarding technical committees has been recorded yet, Ercakica said: "TRNC has expressed its stance about this issue for many times. This letter is the fourth written confirmation of Talat's support to technical committees."

[05] Talat, Papadopoulos to meet on the 3rd of July

President Mehmet Ali Talat of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´) will meet Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos on July 3rd.

Talat and Papadopoulos will meet in the buffer zone in Lefkosia upon appointment of Christophe Girod as the third member of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus.

[06] TUSIAD: Negotiations will solve the Cyprus problem

The paper reports that the relations between the Prime Minister and the TUSIAD leadership were sour for some time and with this meeting the avenues for a dialogue between the sides were opened.

The meeting which was closed to press lasted 40 minutes. After the meeting when a journalist asked: Could we say that with this meeting the government and the TUSIAD reconciled? Mr Koc replied: I leave it to you to comment on this.

When asked whether a formula within the EU process was found for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Mr Koc replied: If we had a formula on this issue we would have disclosed it until now. However, this will be solved through negotiations. I do believe that sooner or later they will meet at a common point. Of course this is also a little bit cowing and intimidation policy. From the very beginning it was wrong to invite the South Cyprus under this condition to the European Union. Unfortunately, the EU had done it. Now their hands are stronger. However, as far as I am concerned, the right movement would be for Turkey and Greece, as guarantor powers, and south and north Cyprus, to sit and settle this issue.

(MHY)

[07] Dervis Kemal Deniz continues his contacts in Baku

He said that the 2004 April Referendum had proved the fact that the Greek Cypriot Administration and the Greek Cypriot people are not ready to bring about a power-sharing settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Mr Deniz stated that earlier declarations by the OIC proved the existence of the two politically equal sides in Cyprus.

We are calling on all members of the Organization to take concrete steps towards lifting the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people, he said.

In conclusion, Mr Deniz called for full membership of the Turkish Cypriot people to the OIC, a move which he said, will grand a political status to the Turkish Cypriot people within the international community.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Economy and Tourism Derviz Kemal Deviz met today with the deputy-Foreign Minister of Sultanate of Oman Sayyed Badr bin Hamad bin Hamud Al Busaidi.

[08] KIBRIS: Crucial days on the property issue

The Chairman of the Commission, Ms Sumer Erkmen, in exclusive statements to the paper, said work on some of the applications filed by Greek Cypriots for their immovable property in the occupied areas of Cyprus has been completed and that the relevant files will be sent to Strasburg before the ECHRs decision is announced.

Ms Erkmen dismissed reports appearing in the press yesterday that the Compensation Commission would announce its decisions on Thursday. She said: This is not correct. No announcement will be made. She also added that the money for compensation would not be paid by Turkey but by its subordinate regime using funds allocated in its budget.

(DPs)

[09] UBP´s recourse against the Property Law has been rejected

The so-called Constitutional Court which convened today under the chairmanship of its President Metin Hakki, gave its verdict saying that the Property Law is not contrary to the constitution.

(MHY)

[10] Bush to extend support to Turkey, Cyprus solution

U.S. President George W. Bush is expected to tell his continental counterparts about the importance of Turkey's European Union membership process and the need to find a satisfactory solution on Cyprus at Wednesday's EU-U.S. summit, the Ankara news agency reported yesterday.

Bush's remarks come at a time of rising tension between Turkey and the EU over Cyprus. The EU recently upped its pressure on Ankara to open its harbors and airports to the Greek Cypriots before the end of the year, while the Turkish government has taken up a clear position, saying it will not do so before the EU lifts the `isolation´ of the Turkish Cypriots.

According to U.S. sources, Bush is to highlight Turkey's importance in promoting change and democracy in the Muslim world, dialogue among civilizations, as well as the stability of the wider Middle East region.

The EU warned the Turkish government last week about the possibility of suspending accession talks, which began last October.

The U.S. views Turkey's EU orientation as a strategic goal, showing the greater Middle East that a majority-Muslim country can succeed with democracy.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in April during a visit to Athens that Cyprus has been accepted into the EU as a divided island and underlined that to reach a settlement the Greek Cypriots should show goodwill and not block Turkey's EU process.

Among other topics up for discussion at the EU-U.S. summit are Iran's nuclear program, developments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fight against terrorism as well as trade issues.

Subtitle: MEPs to discuss Turkish-EU relations

Meanwhile Turkey's talks with the 25-member bloc are expected to dominate the agenda of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission meeting today ahead of the EP's report on Turkey that will be released next month.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn will deliver a speech at today's meeting and tell the deputies about recent developments.

A draft EP report warns Turkey that its reservations about opening ports and harbors to the Greek Cypriots may have serious implications for its EU membership process and could even bring it to a halt.

The highly critical report calls on Turkey to take steps towards recognizing the Greek Cypriot administration during the accession process and raises the subject of an early withdrawal of forces from the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´).

The report prepared by Christian Democrat MEP Camiel Eurlings lists criticisms on a number of other issues, including the slowing down of the EU reform process, the situation in the southeast, problems with religious minorities, cultural rights and civil-military relations.

[11] Statements by Eric Edelman

The United States Assistant Secretary of Defense - Eric Edelman has pointed to the Turkish governments known flexibility on the Cyprus issue and called on the `Greek Cypriot Administration´ to do the same.

Speaking at a meeting organized by the Washington-based think-tank institution the Washington Institute for Near Eastern Policy, Mr Edelman said the Turkish Side had acted courageously and supported a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the Annan Plan.

Eric Edelman stated that a solution to the Cyprus problem had become closer with the Turkish Sides support to the Annan Plan, but added that the process was halted by the Greek Cypriot Sides rejection of the Plan.

Responding to a question on whether the Cyprus issue is an obstacle in the way of Turkeys EU membership process, Mr Edelman said the issue is being seen as, what he called, a potential obstacle but added that joint efforts are underway to overcome this.

[12] Illegal Bayrak on the Turkish Cypriot Workers´ unregistered employment

PEO and SEK trade unions from South Cyprus staged a warning strike today in protest at Turkish Cypriot workers unregistered employment in the Greek Cypriot side.

The two trade unions allowed a weeks time to employers to bring solutions to the problems being faced by workers.

Workers of the two unions gathered at the headquarters of PEO and SEK where they were briefed on the importance of trade unionism and the future course of the strike.

Later, they marched to the headquarters of the Greek Cypriot Employers Union.

Officials from the unions delivered speeches during the march giving a weeks time to the employers to bring solutions to the problems being faced by workers.

The unions are claiming that Turkish Cypriot workers are being employed without being registered officially, and that this situation is being used to undermine workers overall social and other benefits including their collective bargain rights.

In an action of support to the strike, the Secretary General of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers Union Sener Elcil and the President of DEV-IS Mehmet Seyis took part in todays industrial action.

[13] VOLKAN: Talat reacted strongly against the efforts to export potatoes produced in the occupied areas of Cyprus through the port of Limassol

President Talat, through a statement issued by his spokesman, has shown a very strong reaction against the initiative to export potatoes from the port of Limassol. The following was said in the statement:

While the 26 April 2004 decision of the EU Council which provides for putting an end to the isolations of the Turkish Cypriots is not applied, there is a desire, through the exports of Turkish Cypriot products from the port of Limassol to make meaningless the reaction shown by Turkey against the initiatives in the direction of opening Turkeys ports to the Greek Cypriots. While the products produced by the Turkish Cypriots can not find buyers in the Greek Cypriot market, it is not possible to consider that the initiatives which support the export of these products from the port of Limassol in a symbolic manner have good intentions.

The paper argues that the self-styled Prime Minster of the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus) Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the ministers of agriculture and economy and tourism, Huseyin Oztoprak and Dervis Kemal Deniz and the chairman and director of the Agricultural Products Foundation (TUK) Huseyin Ozcag and Metin Arhun must resign immediately, because they gave incentives for the exports of products from Limassol and they also approved an incentive prim for Greek Cypriot exporters.

(I/Ts.)

[14] From the Turkish Dailies (21.06.06)