Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-06-26

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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 results of the so-called elections held yesterday in occupied Cyprus- How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the elections.

[02] Turkey informed the ECHR on the Immovable Property Commission.

[03] Talat supports Guls statements on the Cyprus problem and supports a solution based on two founding states.

[04] Ali Erel: The ´Government´ and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce obstruct the operation of the Green Line Regulation.

[05] AKP to hold its second major congress on 11 November. Results of AKP meeting in Antalya.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Ankara urged to open ports, pull troops from Cyprus to show it is 'European'.

[07] The usurpers of the properties of the Greek Cypriots look to the decisions of the ECHR and the British High Court to legitimize their crimes.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The results of the so-called elections held yesterday in occupied Cyprus- How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the elections

The paper writes that the 28 municipalities in the TRNC were distributed as follows:

The National Unity Party (UBP) gained ten municipalities, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) eight municipalities and the Democratic Party (DP) seven municipalities. Three independent candidates were elected as mayors in three municipalities. The Communal Liberation Party (TKP) and the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH) elected no mayors.

The DP elected its candidate, Cemal Bulutoglulari as the mayor of occupied Lefkosia, while Mr Kutlay Erk, who was the mayor of occupied Lefkosia and the candidate of CTP was not elected. No information is given in the papers as regards the persons who did not vote or the non-valid votes.

The distribution of votes in the five municipalities was as follows:

Nicosia municipality:
Candidate              Party        %
Cemal Bulutoglulari     DP        36.67%
Kutlay Erk             CTP        35.94
Semi Bora              UBP        21.64%
Mehmet Davulcu         TKP         1.08%
Unal Akifler           BDH        +4.68%
Famagusta municipality
Candidate              Party        %
Ahmet Oktay Kayalp     CTP        37.19%
Hamza Ersan Saner      UBP        33.15%
Ismail Arter            DP        24.86%
Umit Inatci          Independent   2.71%
Dogay Cakici           TKP         1.09%
Abdurrahman Omeroglu Independent   0.58%
Hayri Akalin         Independent   0.22%
Ibrahim Kokluoglu    Independent   0.20%
Kyrenia municipality
Candidate              Party        %
Sumer Aygin            CTP        46.61%
Mehmet Ayder           UBP        29.88%
Hayat Aydinova          DP        16.98%
Halil Sadrazam         BDH         6.54%
Morfou municipality
Candidate              Party        %
Mahmut Ozcinar         UBP        54.50%
Hakan Kuntay           CTP        35.65%
Iltac Karayel           DP         9.84%
Trikomo municipality
Candidate              Party        %
Halil Ibrahim Orun     UBP        39.80%
Ejder Aslanbaba        DP         38.93%
Selma Yorganci         CTP        15.40%
Ali Civisilli       Independent    5.88%

So-called parliamentary by-elections were also held yesterday in occupied Cyprus since two seats in the assembly were emptied after Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, who was CTP deputy in Lefkosia was elected president of the TRNC and after Salih Miroglu, who was deputy of the UBP in Kyrenia died. The CTP won both the seats in Lefkosia and Kyrenia. Mr Ozkan Yorgancioglu, who is also the self-styled minister of Youth and Sports, was elected deputy in Lefkosia and Dr Gulboy Beydagli was elected deputy in Kyrenia. After this development the CTP has 25 seats in the self-styled assembly in the TRNC.

The Turkish Cypriot press covered as follows the election results:

KIBRIS under the title Go ahead. On duty, reports about the election results and writes about the distribution of the municipalities between the three main parties in occupied Cyprus. The paper also writes that the two parties of the coalition government, CTP and DP, increased the number of the mayors since they elected mayors in three municipalities more than the previous elections, while the UBP lost six municipalities.

Under the title The CTP lost the castle at the capital AFRIKA writes that Kutlay Erk lost the elections and was not re-elected mayor in Lefkosia. The paper notes that the lack of action during the last four years led to Erks defeat and that now, Cemal Bulutoglulari is the new mayor of Lefkosia. The paper also writes that this development was a great shock for CTP and notes that the ruling party aimed to get 22 municipalities but only elected mayors in eight municipalities.

GUNES under the title UBP: 10, writes that for the first time in the TRNC a party which in the opposition won the most municipalities.

Under the title A warning to the CTP, OZGUR DUSUNCE writes that People did not go to the ballot box and the status quo won. The paper also writes that Cemal Bulutoglulari, who was elected mayor of Lefkosia called on CTP to go for early elections.

Under the title The people showed a red card to CTP and the EU, VOLKAN writes that the people did not forgive the lies, the pressure and the partisanship.

VATAN writes in its first page that The TRNC won and publishes the pictures of the five new mayors.

CUMHURIYET under the title Here is the revolution writes that the main castle of the green status quo has been demolished.

Under the title New Period, YENI DUZEN newspaper writes that CTP won the two seats which were emptied at the parliament and notes that CTP has now 25 seats and its power was strengthened.

(C/S)

[02] Turkey informed the ECHR on the Immovable Property Commission

Turkey has submitted a report to the European Court of Human Rights on the work being carried out by the `TRNC´ Immovable Property Commission.

The report provides a detailed account on the progress the Commission has achieved until now and on the course of the applications to the Commission by Greek Cypriots.

Ankara submitted the report last night on the work being carried out by the Immovable Property Commission which was established earlier as a domestic remedy for the property issue in conditions of non-solution of the Cyprus problem.

On Wednesday, the Immovable Property Commission set up to deal with Greek Cypriot property claims in the `TRNC´ ordered the reinstatement of lands formerly owned by two Greek Cypriots in the village of Tatlisu (occupied Akanthou) in the Gazimagusa (occupied Famagusta) district.

Another applicant will be compensated for his property in Lefkosa (occupied Nicosia).

The Commission also offered the payment of 460-thousand Cyprus Pounds in compensation to Xenides-Arestis whose case is at the European Court of Human Rights.

Meanwhile, its been reported by the Greek Cypriot media that Turkey has paid 65-thousand euros to the European Court of Human Rights for the expenses of the Arestis case.

(Tr. Note: TRNC is the illegal regime set up and maintained by Turkey in the territories of Cyprus occupied by more than 40,000 Turkish troops since 1974).

[03] Talat supports Guls statements on the Cyprus problem and supports a solution based on two founding states

Mr Talat said: "There is no reason to continue punishing Turkish Cypriots. Turkish Cypriots advocate a federal solution based on the political equality of the two parties on Cyprus as envisaged by UN Security Council resolutions. Isolation has no meaning from now on. I have told this to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. We adhere to our commitments. Nevertheless nobody should expect us to sacrifice our rights, political equality of Turkish Cypriots and rights of Turkish Cypriots within a bi-zonal federal solution.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (24.06.06), reported that Mr Talat speaking at a different event, noted that his aim is a solution of the Cyprus problem based on political equality within two founding states where the rights of the Turkish Cypriots will be protected.

[04] Ali Erel: The ´Government´ and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce obstruct the operation of the Green Line Regulation

Mr Erel said: In Cyprus, we came to the point to cut off the relations with the EU. The authority of the Chamber of Commerce is disputable. Yet, regardless of the policies expressed for ´Let the EU keep the promises given, let the EU lift the isolation´, Turkey´s and TRNC´s policies are to block the access of the Turkish Cypriot products to markets where it is impossible to reach using the Famagusta port.

According to the paper, Mr Erel said that the Turkish Cypriot producers, due to the obstacles posed by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and the so-called government for exporting from Limassol port, received 200 euro per ton of potato exported, instead of 310 euro per ton. He also stated that due to this policy 7.5 thousand tons of lemons are still on the trees instead of being in the EU markets.

Mr Erel referred also to the decision of the so-called Council of Ministers, which was published in the official gazette on 7 June 2006, according to which a bonus of 25 US dollar per ton would be given for the sale of potatoes to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus. However, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, as Erel stated, blocked the sales. Mr Erel said that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber claimed that the Greek Cypriot truck drivers blocked the potato sales, but it was the Chamber, which has not issued the certificates of origin for the potatoes.

(M/L)

[05] AKP to hold its second major congress on 11 November. Results of AKP meeting in Antalya

The Justice and Development Party [AKP] convened in Antalya. It decided to hold its 2nd major congress on 11 November 2006. The AKP Central Decision-Making Committee convened in Antalya prior to the meeting. Deputy Chairman Akif Gulle said that they decided to hold the regular AKP 2nd major congress on 11 November 2006. The AKP 7th consultation and evaluation meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan today. The meeting is expected to focus on political and economic developments and party problems. CHP [Republican People's Party] Deputy Secretary General Mehmet Sevigen claimed that the AKP would work for early elections during the meeting. Reacting to Sevigen, Prime Minister Erdogan said that he is uneasy about those who believe that the meeting has a goal other than consultation.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Ankara urged to open ports, pull troops from Cyprus to show it is 'European'

On 12 June the EU decided to open and close negotiations in the "Science and Research" chapter [of its accession talks with Turkey], and another step was taken in Turkey's course to the EU.

However, in announcing the decision the EU reiterated that Turkey must open its air and sea ports to Greek Cypriot carriers in accordance with the provisions of the customs union and that it will determine whether Turkey has met this obligation before the end of the year. This way the Greek Cypriot administration (Republic of Cyprus) was able to win, once again, the EU's affirmation for linking the Cyprus problem with the accession talks process which is a technical issue. It was also able to insert into the text of the decision the statement "the EU may return to this chapter at an appropriate time if it deems that necessary." This expression may mean, as Amanda Akcakoca has correctly underscored (ZAMAN 15 June), "no agreement has been reached on anything until agreement has been reached on everything."

This small victory for the `Greek Cypriot administration´ may have been the reason for Prime Minister Erdogan's angry reiteration that Turkey will never open its ports until the economic isolation of the KKTC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] is ended and his remarks that "if the negotiations stop, they stop." Some who remember Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's comment that "we would have been heroes if we had returned home after burning our bridges on 17 December [ 2005]" think that the prime minister's remarks catering to nationalist sentiments may be part of preparations for early elections. The truth is that, regardless of the hurdles raised by the Greek Cypriot administration and certain EU members hiding behind it, two basic realities do not change from Turkey's standpoint:

1) The EU accession process has contributed substantially to the consolidation of Turkey's democracy and the modernization of its economy and it will continue to do so.

2) The Turkish public must be aware of this because it continues to support the EU process with a strong majority (even though this majority has dropped to 57 percent).

Consequently any government in Turkey must above all continue resolutely with the institution and implementation of reforms aimed at meeting the Copenhagen criteria. Any rational and cool-headed government must demonstrate the skill and patience needed to stick to the accession process regardless of any hurdles raised. In the meantime the tactics of the `Greek Cypriot administration´ are giving signs of tiring many EU members, though not all of them. Former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis recalls: "The Greeks and the Greek Cypriots think that they can stop the accession talks when they wish. This is not true. They cannot suspend or put off the talks for the purpose of settling their own problems and using the talks for blackmail. According to EU rules at least one-third of the members must vote for the suspension of the talks and the decision must be approved by a qualified majority in the EU Council." (ZAMAN 19 June)

A column that appeared in the most important paper in the `Greek Cypriot sector´ two days ago reminds [Cyprus President] Papadopoulos that the veto strategy is not in the best interests of the country. The article entitled "Limits of the Veto Strategy" (Nick Pittas, Cyprus Mail 18 June) says: "The truth is that the veto can be useful only as a threat and not as a vehicle. Everyone knows that Turkey is playing the Cyprus card to ease its entry into the EU. The moment Turkey sees that its path to the EU has been irreversibly blocked, you can be sure that it will not take a single step to solve the Cyprus problem."

I think that Turkey can demonstrate that it is "European." If it is truly wrong to link the accession talks process to the Cyprus problem, Turkey can separate its demand for ending the isolation of the KKTC from fulfilling the obligations it has assumed with the framework of the customs union and open its ports. As I have written in the past (30 March), I think that Turkey can put the `Greek Cypriot administration´ (which seems far from being European) in a difficult position in the eyes of the international community by withdrawing some of its troops from Cyprus in accordance with its strategy of being one step ahead for a solution in Cyprus. Unfortunately I am not a politician. I have no skills or motivation other than stating what is mandated by reason and common sense.

[07] The usurpers of the properties of the Greek Cypriots look to the decisions of the ECHR and the British High Court to legitimize their crimes

On the Orams case Paul Jenkins explores the background to the case and what it might hold for foreign property owners, ignoring completely what it might hold for the Greek Cypriot legal owners who are prevented by the powerful Turkish army from returning to what they and their ancestors seweat blood to create.

Writes the paper:

What could prove a momentous legal step for property owners in the `TRNC´ is due to be taken in Britain next month. And what more momentous day for its expected courtroom conclusion than July 20, the anniversary of the 1974 Turkish intervention that led to the creation of the Turkish Cypriot state.

The London High Court is to hear on July 18, 19 and 20 the controversial Orams case, seen as a test case for foreign citizens living in former Greek Cypriot-owned property.

Lawyer Constantin Candounas has asked the High Court to enforce a decision by a Greek Cypriot court on November 9, 2004, ordering Linda Orams, from Hove, Sussex, to return land in Lapta (occupied Lapithos) to his client, Meletis Apostolides.

The decision ordered Mrs Orams to demolish the house in Lapta (occupied Lapithos) that she owns with her husband, David, along with the swimming pool and perimeter wall, and return the property to Mr Apostolides. She was also ordered to pay Cyprus Pound 7,654.83 in damages and Cyprus Pound 294,41 a month from December 2004 until the property is handed back.

The action in Britain, under an EU regime making possible the enforcement of court decisions of one member state in the courts of another, was filed on December 21, 2005, and is the first of its kind in the UK.

Mrs Oram is appealing against the application to enforce the South Nicosia judgement by sequestering the Oramses´ home in Hove.

But how did the Oramses come to be in this situation and what does the future hold for them and other property owners in the `TRNC¨?

Mr Apostolides decided to act, having seen his former land several times since the `border´ opened in 2003.

He had already visited Lapta (occupied Lapithos) a number of times in his capacity as an architect for the Cyprus Tourism Organizaiton, but on the evening of October 27, 2004, he had papers served on Linda Orams at the house. David Orams was in England at the time.

The Orams case is seen widely as a test case against foreign residents living in Greek Cypriot properties abandoned in 1974.

If Linda Orams loses, it could constitute a massive blow to the `TRNC´ property market. If she wins, it could be a huge setback for attempts by Greek Cypriots to regain their former properties.

The South Cyprus governments position on the issue is clear. The original owners never stopped having legal title to their land, said a government spokesman, who claimed that, under EU law, those who went on to buy a property ran the risk of being hauled before British courts for trespass, or conspiracy to commit trespass.

The European Property Association of North Cyprus (Eupro) believes the whole argument of the case is flawed and is likely to be thrown out of court.

Chairman Ian Betts explained: The case being tried is not against the Orams family, but against Mrs Orams only. The reason for this is that prosecuting lawyer Candounas has never managed to serve any papers on her husband.

There are any number of reasons why the argument is flawed, however this fact alone represents the most fundamental problem.

In the unlikely event that the plaintiff was to successfully pursue his claim in an English court, the judgement would only be against Mrs Orams. Because the Oramses´ properties are owned in joint names, it would not be possible to enforce any order made solely against Mrs Orams without the consent of her husband David, and it is hard to believe that he would voluntarily agree to the handing over and or demolition of his property.

According to advice received from counsel in the United Kingdom, this ruling applies to all jointly owned property, including bank accounts.

Mr Betts continued: The initial document delivered to Mrs Orams was also seriously defective in a number of ways.

Firstly, there is a basic requirement that where a legal case crosses an international boundary, the person serving any summons must obtain approval to do so from the courts in the country in which the order is to be served, and no such approach was ever made to any `TRNC´ court.

Furthermore the defendant must be given the opportunity to prepare a proper defence. Mrs Orams was handed a document written in Greek, a language that she does not understand; neither is it the language of the `TRNC´.

The decision against her was made a mere 12 days after the serving of the unsound summons hardly a reasonable time frame to obtain a translation, let alone organize a defence.

He added: The state of the `TRNC´ may not enjoy official recognition on an international basis, but it does exist on a de facto basis, and its courts are recongnized in international law.

For his part, Mr Apostolides is confident he will win the case.

Speaking to a South-based newspaper recently, he said: I do not have anything against the British, Germans or any other nationals coming to live in Cyprus as long as they don´t do it as receivers of stolen goods.

This behaviour is insulting to the British who live legitimately in the free part of the island and to the well-meaning English people at large.

A message must be given that they cannot do this sort of thing without consequences.

On the Immovable Property Commission the paper writes, inter alia, the following by Osman Kalfaoglu:

All eyes are on the European Court of Human rights after this week´s first three rulings of the `TRNC´s´ Immovable Property Commission set up to deal with Greek Cypriot claims in the `TRNC´ signaled the start of land being returned to former owners and compensation for loss since 1974.

The commission announced on Wednesday that land in Tatlisu (occupied Akanthou) owned by two Greek Cypriots should be handed back to them, while a third applicant should be compensated for his property in Lefkosia (occupied Nicosia). The three claims are the first of 17 filed so far by Greek Cypriots.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will now decide if the commission is fulfilling its mission in providing a local remedy on the issue of immovable property. It will also evaluate each ruling to establish its legality under the European Convention of Human rights.

Turkish daily RADIKAL yesterday reported that people in Tatlisu (occupied Akanthou) were anxious about the initial commission rulings and feared they would lose their properties.

But Mayor of Tatlisu Hayri Olcan told CYPRUS TODAY the paper had exaggerated local feelings. There is no serious panic in the village, he said. But people are rather hesistant because estate agents are trying to convince

them that they should see now as they will never be able to do so in the future because their properties will be handed back to Greek Cypriots.

`TRNC´ human rights expert Assistant Professor Ali Dayioglu, of Near East University, asked by CYPRUS TODAY for his view on the latest developments, said: It is possible the court might say there are some changes needed in the way the commission works that might result in further amendments to the new property law dealing with properties abandoned by Greek Cypriots after 1974.

However, if the Property Commission is accepted as a local remedy by the ECHR, Greek Cypriots will be expected to take their cases to it. If any Greek Cypriot applies directly to the ECHR concerning property, the court will point out that there is an effective local remedy in Cyprus, reject their application and force them to apply to the commission.

If commission verdicts are not accepted, appellants have the right to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court in the North. If the decision of the appeal is considered unsatisfactory, then the doors of the ECHR would be opened to Greek Cypriots.

Asst. Prof. Dayioglu said the ECHR´s intention was for the Property Commission to act as a local remedy because it was facing difficulties in dealing with thousands of property cases brought by Greek Cypriots.

Politically, the expectation of the ECHR is for the Property Commission to act as a local remedy, but legally speaking, if there is anything lacking in the new property law in relation to the arrangement of property rights under the European

Convention on Human Rights, the court will sound the necessary warnings. And that will most probably result in an amendment to ensure the law is in harmony with the Convention.

A report has been presented by the Turkish delegation to the ECHR, with information about the Property Commission and applications made to it by Greek Cypriots. It is expected to result in a new decision concerning the Xenides-Arestis case over the coming months.

/SK

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