Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-07-07

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Talat following his meeting with Ibrahim Gambari

[02] Greek Cypriot diplomat visits the Turkish Parliament and Foreign Ministry

[03] Stephen Hadley meets with Abdullah Gul; Cyprus among the issues discussed

[04] Finland wishes to pursue Turkeys accession talks with the EU

[05] Poland is interested to invest in nuclear projects in Turkey

[06] Mesut Yilmazs name is discussed to be included in the electoral list of True Path Party

[07] Alevi appeal to ECHR over mandatory religious classes provokes dispute

[08] Citrus fruit trees in occupied Morfou infected by the muzza disease

[09] One of the first British traders of the Greek Cypriot properties has been ousted by his Turkish Cypriot partners

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] How British and Turkish Cypriots become millionaires trading the properties of the Greek Cypriot victims of the Turkish invasion and exploiting British buyers

[11] Columnist: Take the floor and defend your state

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Talat following his meeting with Ibrahim Gambari

´We have conveyed our wish for urgent solution for Cyprus problem´, said 'President' Mehmet Ali Talat of 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' (TRNC) following his meeting with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari at 'TRNC Presidency' on Thursday.

Talat gave a letter to Gambari (to convey to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan) which was prepared to boost confidence between the two 'peoples' of Cyprus. The letter includes confidence-building measures.

Noting that today's meeting was a beginning, Talat said that they will have a more detailed meeting on Saturday.

On the other hand, Gambari said that they have discussed many issues, adding that he will present a report to Annan in New York after completing his meetings.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the properties of the evicted Greek Cypriots in the territories of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops).

[02] Greek Cypriot diplomat visits the Turkish Parliament and Foreign Ministry

The junior diplomat became the first official from the Greek Cypriot administration to visit the Turkish Parliament since the island became divided over 30 years ago. The Greek Cypriot diplomat came to Ankara together with 24 colleagues from the European Council's Enlargement Working Group in Brussels, who are responsible for most of the European Union's work on Turkey. The visit was organized by outgoing EU Term President Austria, in office till a few days ago, with the aim to familiarize diplomats with the developments and discussion on Turkey's accession process on the ground.

The Greek Cypriot diplomat, together with his colleagues, also visited the Turkish Foreign Ministry and attended a dinner given by Turkey's chief EU negotiator and State Minister Ali Babacan.

The New Anatolian learned that during a meeting of the group with Turkish deputies, which was not made public to the media, interesting gestures and remarks were made that were quite different from the critical public statements made by the parties.

Ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party Deputy and Parliament's EU Adjustment Commission Chair Yasar Yakis gave a warm welcome to the Greek Cypriot diplomat, and expressed his regret that he could not treat him as a representative of the Greek Cypriot administration, due to the fact that there is still no settlement on the island and that Turkey does not officially recognize that member. "Turks and Greek Cypriots are not enemies. We are only different parts of that dispute," Yakis told him.

During the discussion, where main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy and former Ambassador Onur Oymen was also present, Turkish parliamentarians expressed their ideas on Turkey's EU accession process, the Cyprus question and the problems with Greece.

Yakis told the visiting diplomats that the EU has to meet its promises to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots first, and only then can Turkey take steps towards lifting restrictions on Greek Cypriots. He criticized the EU for rewarding the Greek Cypriots, who rejected the United Nations-sponsored plan for a settlement in 2004, but still became an EU member. A senior AK Party deputy said that if Turkey opens its ports now to the Greek Cypriots it would mean further rewarding the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos' hardline policy.

Oymen on the other hand said that the Cyprus problem was mainly used as a pretext against Turkey's EU membership and stressed that the main problem was the lack of political will among EU members towards Turkey. Oymen further criticized the human rights violations in western Thrace by Greece against the Turkish Muslim minority there.

Among the 25 members of the diplomatic group, only three made remarks during the conversation, and these were the Austrian diplomat on behalf of the EU Term Presidency as well as the Greek and the Greek Cypriot representatives.

But quite contrary to expectations of many, the young Greek Cypriot diplomat did not use the floor to make a long controversial speech on the Cyprus problem, but expressed his opinion differences in a diplomatic way.

The Greek Cypriot diplomat first of all thanked the Turkish side for their hospitality and then told the deputies that the opening of ports was not only a Greek Cypriot demand, but a necessary component of Turkey's accession process.

The European diplomats were surprised by the first-ever visit and the constructive approach taken by both sides. "This was not a designed plan; it was more of a by-product. It was positive. If Turkey had made this a big problem and rejected the Greek Cypriot participation, then we most probably would've had to cancel the whole visit," one diplomat told The New Anatolian.

Turkey does not recognize the "Republic of Cyprus," which became an EU member on May 2004. Ankara says that this is not the original partnership state established in 1960, and recognizes only the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the north. Turkish officials say that they will only recognize a new possible partnership state on the island that could be formed after talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots as part of a UN process.

[03] Stephen Hadley meets with Abdullah Gul; Cyprus among the issues discussed

The paper adds that when Mr. Hadley asked Mr. Gul in what ways they could contribute to Turkeys efforts in Cyprus, the Turkish Foreign Minister demanded US support for the action plan, to be actively involved when the action plan comes up in the UN and take concrete steps in removing the so-called isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.07.07) reports the following from Washington D.C.:

The Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met Stephen Hadley, the Assistant to U.S. President George Bush for National Security Affairs, in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

According to Turkish diplomats, Gul and Hadley discussed bilateral relations, Iran, Cyprus and terrorist organization PKK.

The Turkish diplomats quoted Hadley as saying that "Turkish-U.S. relations are much stronger and solid today".

In their meeting, Gul told Hadley that economic and cultural cooperation should also be enhanced as well as political and military cooperation. Gul said that he is optimistic about solution of Iran's nuclear program controversy through diplomatic means.

On Turkey's EU membership bid, Gul said that pressure on Turkey due to the Cyprus problem is unjust, and noted that Turkey will end restrictions against the Greek Cypriot administration if embargoes on Turkish Cypriots are lifted.

According to the diplomats, Hadley noted down Turkey's position.

Also expressing Turkey's concerns over the terrorist organization PKK, Hadley said that USA, Turkey and Iraq will work together to conduct a more effective fight against the terrorist organization PKK.

(MHY)

[04] Finland wishes to pursue Turkeys accession talks with the EU

Serenius held a news conference at the Finnish Embassy in Ankara to inform reporters about the timetable of Finland which has recently taken over the rotating EU Presidency from Austria.

Underlining that Turkey should fulfill the Copenhagen criteria to become a EU member and it won't go through different criteria (not imposed on previous candidates), Serenius said that implementation of the Customs Union Additional Protocol will be a "key" for the continuation of entry talks. "If the protocol is not fully implemented, it will affect the negotiations between Turkey and the EU", noted Serenius.

Expressing pleasure over opening and permanently closing a chapter heading in talks with Turkey, Serenius said that the EU hopes to complete 1-2 more chapter headings during Finland's Presidency.

She added that the screening process with Turkey goes on very positively.

Upon a question, Serenius said that they want a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem under the UN auspices, noting that a progress could not be recorded up to now because all sides stick to their previous stance. She added that parties should be tolerant towards each other to make progress.

Serenius noted that will and consensus on the part of both parties are necessary to activate the UN mechanism on the Cyprus problem.

Qualifying the meeting between Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and President Tassos Papadopoulos as a positive step, Serenius said that there is no link between lifting isolations over the occupied areas of Cyprus and Turkey's opening its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot vessels and planes.

Upon another question, Serenius said that suspension of talks with Turkey is one of the alternatives on the table, adding that they will do their best to prevent this during their EU Presidency.

"Adoption of the Financial Assistance Regulation to ´TRNC´ is an important step and meetings continue on Direct Trade Regulation", Serenius was quoted by A.A. to have said.

Serenius also expressed her pleasure about Turkey's action plan regarding Cyprus.

[05] Poland is interested to invest in nuclear projects in Turkey

After meeting Polish Parliament Speaker Marek Jurek in his office in Ankara, Guler told reporters that the Nabucco project has been speeded up after a declaration was signed by five ministers from the concerned countries.

With this project, Turkey will be the fourth channel providing natural gas to Europe, following Russia, Norway and Algeria, he said.

According to Guler, Poland is willing to invest in nuclear energy projects in Turkey.

On the other hand, Jurek said that they have seen that some concrete steps have been taken in the Nabucco project.

[06] Mesut Yilmazs name is discussed to be included in the electoral list of True Path Party

Yilmaz, who last month was cleared by the Supreme Court of corruption charges in a state tender, announced that he would go back to politics. While he has not severed his relations with Motherland (whose acronym was changed from ANAP to ANAVATAN after Yilmaz's departure in the wake of the 2002 elections), he is only a member and his political allies aren't in the party administration. Political circles indicate that he has long been expressing positive opinions on the leadership of True Path's new head, Mehmet Agar, who replaced Yilmaz' archrival Tansu Ciller. Similarly, the same circles indicate that Agar himself personally invited Yilmaz to be an independent deputy from the True Path electoral list.

The speculations on Yilmaz come at a time when there are more scenarios about the unification of the center-right. Despite the fact that Yilmaz's case in the Supreme Court was not an acquittal, as he ideally wanted to clear his name, he has made it clear that he would return to politics.

But just how he would do it remains unclear: Yilmaz himself made many declarations, including predictions that he would look at the matter with his close colleagues and that he had no intention of being the leader of a political party. Some even speculated that Yilmaz wanted to be a candidate for next year's presidential elections. Still others predicted that he would return to Motherland, although, given that his old rival Erkan Mumcu was now at the helm of this party, any return would be difficult if not downright impossible.

In that atmosphere of debate, it was reported that Yilmaz met with Agar, which was followed by Yilmaz's positive remarks towards Agar and the True Path.

The most favored scenario for the time being is that Yilmaz would become an independent candidate on the True Path list. In other words, he would not be a member of the True Path. Given that the Turkish electoral system does not allow pre-election alliances between different parties, this method is used to bring key candidates from different political groups under a single party.

It is also said that Yilmaz will come to the True Path with his A-team, which include "names with experience" such as Cem Kozlu, Ahad Andican and Volkan Vural. Other names who are "more politicized" and synonymous with Motherland, such as Mustafa Tasar, will not be included in this group as it may create difficulties with the True Path Party.

The modalities of the invitation by Agar to Yilmaz were particularly important for Yilmaz, because it would also indicate what sort of role the ex-premier would play within the True Path and in Parliament. To have an active and expert politician who could speak authoritatively on European Union matters at critical times may also be very important for the center-right party. In fact, if used with high profile, Yilmaz might become the in-Parliament expert on many issues -- future developments could even take him to be prime minister in a much-divided Parliament and even president. The parliamentary base would provide a spotlight to Yilmaz.

What would Yilmaz's exact contribution to True Path be? First of all, his accession would underline the fact that True Path is the right address for center-right unity. He would also make a very serious contribution to the DYP votes in the Black Sea, as well as contribute to the pro-EU, urban identity that party of the center-right cannot find in True Path for the time being. It would, nevertheless, provide an occasion to remember some of the old wounds between True Path and Motherland that remain from a volatile past of 23 years.

[07] Alevi appeal to ECHR over mandatory religious classes provokes dispute

The National Education Ministry declared the application to the ECHR regarding the mandatory religious education classes inappropriate, saying: "We do not teach the students religion. Rather, we teach them religious culture." Officials from the Religious Affairs Presidency agree with this view. In order to exempt students from religious education classes in Turkey, the religion section in the students' identity card should be left "empty." If a student's religion is registered as "Muslim" in the identity card, it becomes mandatory for that student to take religious education classes.

In other words, those who want to be exempted from religious education classes, which are mandatory according to Article 24 of the Constitution, are obliged to declare that they are not Muslims.

National Education Minister Huseyin Celik noted that it is the "religious culture and moral sciences" classes, rather than the religious education classes that are mandatory in

Turkey. Explaining that during these classes the students are taught about religions and universal moral values, Celik said: "Therefore it does not make any difference whether or not the students are of the Alevi faith." Celik added that issues related to "Alevism" will also be included in the curriculum of the religious culture and moral sciences classes in senior high schools as of the beginning of the next academic year.

Referring to the appeal to the ECHR, Prof Dr Sevki Aydin, vice president of religious affairs, said: "To say that this class should not be mandatory means defending ignorance about religion. Rather than discussing whether or not the classes should be mandatory, it is necessary to hold discussions on the class's contents."

Noting that even if the youths in the West do not take religious education classes, it is mandatory for them to take moral education classes, Sevki Aydin claimed that the religious culture and moral sciences classes in Turkey are classes on cultural education.

Kazim Genc, chairman of the Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association, explained that the issue related to the mandatory religious education classes had initially been carried to the ECHR in January 2004 and that this case has not yet been completed. The chairman of the Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association claimed that a secular country cannot provide religious education, adding: "The state should not have a say in religious education."

Stressing that they did not demand the inclusion of Alevism in the curriculum, Genc said: "To demand this will mean the continuation of the human rights violation." In response to the national education minister's statement to the effect that "those who say that they are not Muslims will not attend class" Kazim Genc said: "The minister is trying to influence those who do not want to take the class."

In answer to a question on whether or not "the Alevis are Muslims," Genc said: "This changes depending on the Alevi community."

[08] Citrus fruit trees in occupied Morfou infected by the muzza disease

[09] One of the first British traders of the Greek Cypriot properties has been ousted by his Turkish Cypriot partners

Since the local Turkish Cypriot Partners in Henry Charles Estates assumed control of the business by ousting the English founder of the successful business, which is perhaps one of the top three agencies in North Cyprus, customers, and clients are wondering if the business can survive! Henry himself was the driving force behind this successful property marketing business, said one property developer, I cant see how the other two partners, one a builder, the other an hotelier can emulate the estate agency experience that Henry himself obviously has.

Another point to consider, said Henry Charles in an exclusive interview with the Cyprus Observer is that we have built a reputation with our customers for fair dealing; I always insisted that we operated to the highest standards of business ethics, similar to the Codes of Practice that the British Estate Agents Association expects its members to adhere to. For the sake of the firms customers and developer clients, I hope that those standards of excellence will be maintained at Henry Charles Estates Agents.

If the standards I refer to slip, then customers will be pleased to know, that like Phoenix rising from the ashes, I will soon be setting up my own business again under the name of Mr Charles Estates. I havent found the right premises yet, although I am currently viewing a number of options, so it looks like we will be open for business very soon. Ill announce the opening in the press, but in the meantime customers and developers can contact me by e-mail at www.mrhenrycharlesestates.com or call me on 0533 832 1562.

When asked by the Cyprus Observer about the circumstances that led to his departure from Henry Charles Estates, he replied It was a messy and most distressing experience and there is no point in going in to the details; Ive put it behind me now and am moving on to new horizons. I have been enormously encouraged by the calls I have received from dozens of my former customers and developers, all of whom offered support and assistance in any new venture that I might consider. One well-known developer even offered me a senior position in his business, but I politely had to turn him down. I now prefer to be Captain of my own ship, to guide it through the rough waters of the property business, as I have done before, but as had been said earlier, I wonder if there is anyone with experience at the helm at Henry Charles Estates?

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] How British and Turkish Cypriots become millionaires trading the properties of the Greek Cypriot victims of the Turkish invasion and exploiting British buyers

Having arrived unexpectedly from the UK to check up on his business interests in the North Cyprus, Gary Wadhams was surprised and concerned to find that he could not unlock any of the doors at his bungalow on the HZ Omer site in Catalkoy (occupied Ayios Epiktitos), where he had lived for almost a year, but had recently let to a tenant. Having forced his way in he was further dismayed to find that all of the furniture that he and his business partner Kevin Moane had purchased had been removed.

With the exception of four beds, everything had gone; soft furnishings, tables and chairs, lounge furniture, cutlery and crockery, electrical goods-everything was missing, said Wadhams in an exclusive interview with the Cyprus Observer. It was very late, so I awoke a neighbour, who offered me a bed for the night. But the next morning a team of cleaners and a furniture van arrived with six or seven 'heavies' who started to unload the furniture into my bungalow. Try as I may I couldnt stop them so they succeeded in moving the truck load of stuff in to my house, promptly followed by a family of Kurdish building workers which consisted of seven adults, four teenagers and a couple of infants, he told our staff reporter.

Wadhams then contacted his former tenant who allegedly had been intimidated and forced out by Robbs so called bully boys; he had been threatened with eviction if he (the tenant) failed to stop paying rent to Wadhams, but instead started to pay the rent to Robbs Aga organisation, Either that or get out! he was warned.

Welcome to your new home

On receiving these 'alternatives', the tenant explained that he did not want to be involved in any property ownership dispute and promptly vacated the bungalow. Wadhams re-paid the advance rent money to his former tenant.

As all this 'moving' business was going on Gary Robb arrived on the scene and when I asked him for an explanation Robb explained that he was clamping down on owners who had failed to pay the full price for their property, 'pay the other half that you owe me or get out'. Robb said to me, reported Wadhams. We had of course paid the whole asking price for the bungalow, half direct to Aga, the balance is still lodged with the solicitor, but it now appears that another couple, the Kachinskis have also paid half the stated price and have been issued with a 'Sale Agreement' on my bungalow! So what we have here is a double sold property, my tenant removed under threatening circumstances, a break-in, my furniture stolen, the locks changed and a new AGA tenant moved in. I told Robb that I was about to call the police and he said to me, Fine, do that and well see who is the cleverest!

In search of justice

The police arrived in about fifteen minutes, recalled Wadhams (42) a building developer from the English Midlands area, They asked me to go to the Police Station with my then solicitor and make a statement, indicating that they would evict the family and return my property to me in the next 30 minutes. By then, the babies had been put to bed and were fast sleep so I agreed they could stay the night, but that they must be out by next morning Monday 3rd July. Come Monday morning they were still there, so after taking further advice I consulted an alternative solicitor in Nicosia who agreed to take on the case and try to bring some sense to the situation, some justice, which Robb seems to demand for himself from the TRNC Government, according to a local daily newspaper. What an irony!

Robb denies everything

A spokesman for Gary Robb and AGA Developments flatly denied that these events, alleged by Wadhams, had ever taken place. He told the Cyprus Observer Gary wouldnt do such a thing, employ such threatening tactics or issue challenges or instructions of that nature. His sole intention is to sort out all the problems for all the AGA customers following the events that took place locally while he was away in Thailand. I agree that there are some disputes over the ownership of some properties, especially where contracts have gone missing; so I urge anyone who has a Sale Contract with AGA to send a copy to their solicitor for analysis and audit so that these kinds of disputes can be assessed and settled.

Robb questioned about his action in North

The Cyprus Observer can now reveal that following the intervention of Wadhams newly appointed solicitor, Gary Robb was arrested by the Girne (occupied Kyrenia) Police and questioned about this and other disputes at the Gatalkoy (occupied Ayios Epiktitos) site. He was released without any charges being made against him by the authorities or pressed by Wadhams. As this report goes to press, we can also announce that together with others on the HZ Omer Development, Gary Wadhams has had his bungalow and all its missing contents returned to him.

Disturbing questions for those in property market

What a relief? said a tired but happy Gary Wadhams, Im obviously delighted to have my property back, but what I cant understand is why my original solicitors couldnt sort it all out. Why didnt they pay the outstanding balance to AGA, or were they enjoying the benefit of the money via a high interest deposit account? Perhaps they are part of a conspiracy that caused my bungalow to be sold twice; maybe they wanted me and the other 'buyers' to pull out and lose our money, so that the property could then be put back on the market at the current value, which is about twice what I agreed to pay. Makes you wonder! Still lets hope its now all over and we can all move on.

The Cyprus Observer was unable to contact Gary Robb or any of his associates for further comments, although it seems that as most of the 'Sale Agreements' between AGA and its customers have been mysteriously destroyed, there is the potential for more than one party to claim ownership of a particular property .

[11] Columnist: Take the floor and defend your state

An honorable man who cares for his honor will not keep silent when another person is considered guilty as a result of an act that he himself had committed...

He takes the bench in the court and tells the judge: If a crime is committed, I am the one who committed it and if you will try someone it is me you should try!

About whom I am talking?

About Ferdi Sabit Soyer

Or about Mehmet Ali Talat

It does not make any difference; one is the Prime Minister of the TRNC and the other the President of the TRNC Two people who took an oath to perpetuate this state. Two people who are responsible, at first degree, for the law enacted in the North Cyprus

They are yet to perform a duty that they are tasked to do. What was it that they should have done?

They should have gone to the trial held in the South Cyprus in the Osman Sarper case and they should be witnesses. They should stand up at the court room and defend the TRNC. Ferdi should have taken the bench and should have started his defense by saying there is a state in the north Cyprus and I am the Prime Minister of that state and then he should point to Architect Osman Sarper and say this man is innocent, I have enacted the laws I have given him the permission to design houses on the Greek Cypriot property If you have to arrest someone it is me you should arrest

If a Prime Minister wants to defend his citizen he could do so only in this way

Sitting in the north on his chair and boasting, is not the way to defend a citizen.

On top of it he is unaware of what he is saying See what he saysThe Greek Cypriots are making use of the law trying to terrorize the people

Is using law a crime? When did this happen? What does it mean to terrorize people by using law?

Does a sensible man say such a thing?

Is it terrorism if a man in order to defend his rights he recourse to law instead of resorting to guns?

Is it better to leave the law and resort to guns?

Well, what about the blunders, gaffs committed by Mehmet Ali Talat?

What should we say to him for his gaffs?

Sitting in his throne in the palace he warns the citizens he says: When crossing to the South be careful. What does it mean be careful?

Does he mean to say you steal, so be careful.

Or does he want to say destroy the evidence?

That is to say, let us plunder the Greek Cypriot propertyusurp them or sell them if you want to build villas or hotels on the Greek Cypriot property, but when we are usurping or plundering others´ property we should be careful. Isnt it? So that when we are crossing into the South the police should not arrest us. Le them think that we are innocent. They should not realize that we are stealing. We have to steal without others realizing.Is this the case Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat?

What wise guys.

Will these wise guys reach settlement and conclude peace with these brains?

They say that they will complain to the UN and recourse to the European Court of Human Rights

They are welcome to do so

What will they say? They will say that we are building on the Greek Cypriot properties that we shed blood on and with force of arms we had usurped them and with forged title deeds we are marketing these properties .and as a result of this the Papadopulos Administration is arresting usPlease try to stop these arrests Is this what they will say?

They have to put aside this kind of boasting and they should go to Osman Sarpers trial .They should take the bench and defend the TRNC laws that they have enacted

(MHY)

/ES

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