Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-08-17

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Property Commission in occupied Cyprus claims that 42 Greek Cypriots applied to it.

[02] Ercakica: The Turkish Cypriot side is not a side in the discussions over transferring the authority over some of our ports to the UN or the EU.

[03] Turkish Cypriot applies to European Court of Human Rights claiming that he was deprived of his property in the free areas of Cyprus.

[04] The coalition government continues its talks for its future.

[05] A Cyprus conference to be organised in Kyrgyzstan.

[06] Statements on the issue of the existence of cobra eggs on palm trees imported to the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[07] Ankara is evaluating its contribution to the Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon.

[08] US Embassy: No date set for Bush-Erdogan meeting.

[09] Turkey and the US to appoint each a PKK Coordinator.

[10] Iranian plane forced to land in Turkey for cargo check with the assumption that it was carrying rockets to Hezbollah.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Property Commission in occupied Cyprus claims that 42 Greek Cypriots applied to it

So far a total of 42 people have handed in applications to the committee so their cases can be heard, Bayrak noted.

According to information received by the TAK news agency only one applicant has requested for his/her property to be exchanged and not to be fully compensated.

So far three cases have been finalized. Two Greek Cypriots had applied for their properties in the TRNC to be reinstated to them and one Greek Cypriot had requested to be compensated for his/her property in the north.

The decision taken to reinstate properties back to the Greek Cypriots will be handled by the so-called Ministry of Interior.

(Tr. Note: The TRNC is the breakaway regime set up by Turkey in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus)

[02] Ercakica: The Turkish Cypriot side is not a side in the discussions over transferring the authority over some of our ports to the UN or the EU

Mr Ercakica went on and said:

However, all the involved parties are aware that our ports are already being used for international trade and that the isolation of Turkish Cypriots cannot be lifted through such a practice.

As the Turkish Cypriot side, we demand that the conditions of export from our ports to the EU countries are changed and regulated in line with the trade rules between EU countries. The Turkish side has already stated that a pre-embarkation EU unit may be established at the port with the aim of approving EU norms in exports to EU countries. The existence and operation of such a unit would not interfere with the other port activities. The ports in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus already have the necessary facilities for imports and exports. A situation that will necessitate for the UN or the EU to take over this mission, is out of the question.

Mr Ercakica went on and argued that the decision taken by the EU Council on April 26, 2004 is in this direction and the Direct Trade Regulation should materialize this decision.

He concluded as follows:

It should also be taken into consideration that proposals, such as transferring the authority over the Famagusta port to the EU and handing Varosha back to the Greek Cypriots, were tabled by the Greek Cypriot side. Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos has brought these proposals on the table on many occasions during efforts to lift the isolation of Turkish Cypriots following the April 24 referendum, and announced them to the EU on September 2004. It is impossible for the Turkish Cypriot side to accept or discuss these proposals, which only aim at creating confusion and preventing the lifting of the unjust isolation of Turkish Cypriots. Thus, the prime minister of the time, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat had noticed the involved parties that the Turkish Cypriot side would not give credit or take into consideration such proposals.

(DPs)

(Tr. Note: The TRNC is the breakaway regime set up by Turkey in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus).

[03] Turkish Cypriot applies to European Court of Human Rights claiming that he was deprived of his property in the free areas of Cyprus

According to illegal Bayrak, a military camp has been built on Mr Birsens land without his permission.

Speaking on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation, the head of the board of Trustees Emine Erk, said that the foundation was doing all it can to help those who have been deprived of their immovable propertys in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Alleging that Mr Birsen rights had been violated and he had not received any sort of compensation for the use of his immovable property, Mr Erk said that they had no choice but to apply to the European Court of Human Rights.

[04] The coalition government continues its talks for its future

The meeting also focused on the problems that are being faced by the government.

Committees set up earlier by the two parties met the day before yesterday under the chairmanship of the two parties´ General Secretaries to continue searching for ways of removing their differences on some issues.

In a statement he made to the illegal TAK news agency after the meeting was concluded, General Secretary of the CTP-BG Omer Kalyoncu, said that the Democrat Party was dragging its feet on certain issues and added that this behavior was unacceptable by the CTP-BG and the issue would be taken up at the Partys executive committee.

Speaking on behalf of the Democrat Party, Mustafa Arabacioglu said that differences had emerged on the issue of public sector reforms but added that his party was ready to solve these issues through further negotiations.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper (17.08.06) reports that the leader of the Democrat Party Serdar Denktas, expressed the view that the validity of the joint protocol signed between the CTP-BG and DP for establishing the coalition government was not until the 25th June 2006, when the local elections took place, but this is a five-year-life coalition government protocol. We wish to remain adherent to the protocol which we signed, Denktas said. With this statement Denktas wanted to convey the message to the CTP-BG administration that he closed the door to any discussions on the issue of whether or not this protocol must change, as the paper reports.

(M/L)

[05] A Cyprus conference to be organised in Kyrgyzstan

Mr Serdar Denktas, the self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the TRNC will participate in the Conferences fist sitting and he will explain the Cyprus problem.

During his stay in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, Mr Denktas will hold meetings with delegations from Afghan, Azerbaijani, Kazakh and Kyrgyz parliaments, writes the paper.

The Conference is organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyzstan Parliament, the Kyrgyzstan-TRNC Interparliamentary Friendship Group, and the TRNC representation in Kyrgyzstan.

Commenting on the issue the TRNC representative to Kyrgyzstan, Mr Erhan Arikli stated that the Conference will take place both in Kyrgyzstans capital Biskent and at the Lake Issik region. Mr Arikli stated that with such a Conference organised at the region the possibility of explaining for the first time, with information at first hand, the Cyprus problem is safeguarded. He stated that they want to prepare a core group for a lobby in the Central Asian Republics aiming at the recognition from the economic, social, and cultural point of view of the TRNC. He also stated that this lobby will work against the efforts of the Greek Cypriots - Greek duo which, according to Arikli, tries to prevent every step taken at the region by the TRNC.

(C/S)

[06] Statements on the issue of the existence of cobra eggs on palm trees imported to the occupied areas of Cyprus

Commenting yesterday on this information, Mr Aygin described the Greek Cypriot allegations as insane nonsense and claimed that such things had been published in papers, which wanted to harm him before the municipal elections.

Referring to the same issue, Mr Alp Erguven, director of the firm which imported the palm trees in the occupied areas of Cyprus, said that he had spoken to the firm that produces the trees in northern Africa and that they told him that such a thing could not happen.

According to Mr Erguven, officials of the above-mentioned firm said that not cobras, but a poisoned snake named Haje Naje lives under and in the roots of these trees. Mr Erguven noted that the eggs of this snake incubate within 40 and 70 days and added that they have not yet found cobras or the poisoned snake named Haje Naje or eggs of this snake on the trees they were keeping in their stores.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ankara is evaluating its contribution to the Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon

According to HURRIYET, the leadership in Lebanon had jointly conveyed the following message to the Turkish Foreign Minister Gul: We pay great importance to the presence of the Turkish troops in the UN Peace Force. Rest assured all the sides in Lebanon want the Turkish troops. All the sides will be very satisfied in seeing the friendly and brotherly Turkish troop being deployed in the region.

In his turn the Turkish FM thanked the Lebanese leadership for the trust they have expressed and said: On Sunday we will go to Israel and we will talk to them as well. We will inform about our decision after the evaluation that we will do.

On the same issue, Istanbul NTV Online (16.08.06) reports that Ankara is evaluating its contribution to the Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon, since support for Lebanon is expected to have a positive impact on Turkey's bid to become a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council.

Pointing out that 22 countries are preparing to contribute to the international force, Turkish Foreign Ministry officials noted that increased Turkish influence in the region would help the country to activate its foreign policy priorities. "Taking on such responsibilities could have positive effects", the officials said, pointing out that Turkey enjoys the trust of both sides and that contributing to peace in the Middle East is mandated by Turkey's historic responsibilities.

Risks, however, are not being disregarded. According to the officials, Ankara is determined not to send a combat force to Lebanon. Turkish troops will participate in a peacekeeping operation with humanitarian goals such as preserving the status of the buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon, while Ankara considers "unacceptable" missions such as disarming the Hezbollah militants.

Turkey is also reluctant to assume the leadership of the international force.

Furthermore, Turkish daily HURRIYET newspaper (16.08.06) reported that while the likelihood of Turkey's dispatching troops to the UN Peacekeeping Force has gradually strengthened, details regarding the location and nature of the Turkish unit's duties have also begun to become clear. In the event of such a decision being made, the area of duty of the Turkish troops will be the 25-kilometer buffer zone between the Israeli-Lebanese border, known as the "blue line", and the Litani River. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, describing the duties of the Turkish troops as being "the Afghan model", has said that this will be to provide assistance to the people and to ensure security for the activities of humanitarian aid organizations and reconstruction activities.

According to the paper, Turkeys conditions for taking part in the UN Peacekeeping Force have been listed as follows:

The definition of the duties must be not to establish, but rather to preserve, peace, and to take it forward. Because in order to establish peace, there is always the possibility of entering into actual combat.

Disarming Hezbollah or other militia groups will not be included in the description of the duties.

Priority will be given to the duty of meeting the urgent needs of the people.

No command will be taken on within the UN force.

On the antipodes, Turkish Daily News newspaper (16.08.06) reports from Washington that Ankaras move to await a second UN resolution raises eyebrows in Washington, where analysts are saying the risks involving a Lebanon mission and the PKK conflict complicate the decision for a Turkish troop contribution.

A new resolution to be adopted at the U.N. Security Council in the coming days is expected to bring more clarity to the terms of planned deployment, said a statement from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office after a meeting of top civilian and military officials. Turkey will consider its possible contributions to finding a permanent solution to the problem (in Lebanon) in light of developments.

Obviously, the Turks now want to see more details on the force's mandate and rules of engagement, said one U.S. administration. We'll wait for their decision.

On the same issue, Turkish daily ZAMAN newspaper (16.08.06) reports that the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, C. David Welch, said it is up to Turkey whether to send troops to join the United Nations peacekeeping force to be deployed to Lebanon, and praised the capabilities of the Turkish army.

Welch stressed new troops to be added to the existing United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon should be brought together quickly, and as for Turkeys possible contribution to this force, he said the U.S. believes reliable countries, including Turkey, will consider sending troops. This is a decision for each country to make on the basis of their national interests and foreign policy strategies. We had a good experience with Turkey in relation to this issue, and we have confidence in the Turkish armys capability, Welch noted.

[08] US Embassy: No date set for Bush-Erdogan meeting

News reports claimed that the White House conveyed to the Prime Ministry in Ankara a date for the meeting, Oct. 5-6, upon Erdoan's request, which was relayed to Washington a while ago. Reports said that Erdogan has been in a difficult position since he was already scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is expected to pay a visit to the Turkish capital at that time.

Nevertheless, a senior official at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara denied the reports and told the Turkish Daily News that no date has been scheduled for a meeting at the White House between the two leaders.

[09] Turkey and the US to appoint each a PKK Coordinator

Turkey is preparing to appoint a coordinator for combating the terrorist organization PKK. The appointment is expected to be made after a US coordinator is identified.

Turkey will follow the United States in appointing a "PKK coordinator." The appointment is expected to be made after a US coordinator is identified.

The identity of Turkey's "PKK coordinator" is not yet known. However, in a statement to NTV, a senior Foreign Ministry official said that the position of the Turkish coordinator will most probably be filled by a military official.

It is expected that the decision on the seniority of this official will be made on the basis of who the United States appoints as its coordinator.

The coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the work conducted in connection with the battle against the terrorist organization PKK.

The Turkish coordinator will work closely with the coordinator to be appointed by the United States.

In the meantime Iraq will also reportedly appoint its own coordinator in connection with the battle against the terrorist PKK presence in northern Iraq.

[10] Iranian plane forced to land in Turkey for cargo check with the assumption that it was carrying rockets to Hezbollah

(MHY)

/SK

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