Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-08-21

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Contacts of Serdar Denktas in Kyrgyzstan; He alleges that the Cyprus problem can be solved only by international pressures on the Greek Cypriots.

[02] The deputy speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament stated that his country cannot give guarantees regarding the recognition of the TRNC.

[03] The Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism completes his talks in occupied Cyprus.

[04] Ercakica: The Republic of Cyprus is the illegitimate regime in the `South´ .

[05] The occupation regime is working to make buying property in occupied Cyprus quicker.

[06] Historical statements by Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

[07] 250 deluxe villas are being constructed in the occupied area of Trikomo.

[08] The EU Support Programme Office will start operating in mid-September in occupied Lefkosia.

[09] Turkish Cypriot Union protested regarding increases in prices.

[10] 81.836 passengers have visited via air the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus during July 2006.

[11] A new well to be dug in the area of Saint Hilarion.

[12] Bush - Erdogan meeting to take place on October 2.

[13] Erdogan discusses UN Lebanon force with Annan, Chirac, and Prodi.

[14] Scenarios on Turkish troops deployment in Lebanon.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Contacts of Serdar Denktas in Kyrgyzstan; He alleges that the Cyprus problem can be solved only by international pressures on the Greek Cypriots

The Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas met with the Kyrgyz Minister of Sports Bektor Asanov and the Deputy Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Isa Bekov this morning.

Mr Denktas is in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek to attend an international conference under the title of Issyk Lake-Cyprus Conference.

He will explain the Cyprus problem at the first session of the conference which will take place tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party MP Mustafa Arabacioglu who is accompanying Mr Denktas came together with the heads of the Azerbaijani, Afghani, Kyrgyz and Kazakh parliamentary delegations to form an opinion about the final communiqué of the conference.

Mustafa Arabacioglu is the Head of the TRNC-Kyrgyzstan Inter-parliamentary Amity Group.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak (20.08.06) broadcast the following on Mr Denktas´ statements during the conference in which he participated in Bishkek:

Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Serdar has said that the Greek Cypriot Side was using its European Union membership to aggravate the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Mr Serdar Denktas words came during the first session of the Issyk Lake-Cyprus Conference being held in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek where he is representing the TRNC.

Meanwhile, the Greek Ambassadors Undersecretary to the Kazakh capital Alma Ata is reported to have left the conference in protest of TRNC flags being displayed.

Speaking during the conference, Mr. Denktas stated that it was the Greek Cypriot Sides endless attempts to silence the voice of the Turkish Cypriot people which had led the Cyprus Problem to drag on for so long.

Touching upon the Greek Undersecretarys hasty departure from the conference due to the TRNC flags being displayed there, Mr. Serdar Denktas said that the action couldnt have explained any better what the Turkish Cypriot people were faced with for almost more than a century.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot Side was using its EU membership to augment the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people, the TRNC Foreign Minister called on the international community to pressure the Greek Cypriot Administration into respecting and returning Turkish Cypriot peoples rights stemming from the 1960 Cyprus Republic.

Explaining that the 1960 Republic of Cyprus-co-founded by the Turkish Cypriots was under the illegal control of the Greek Cypriot Side, Mr Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriot people was one of the two owners of the island which had a right to exist.

Meanwhile a closing communiqué has been issued at the end of the international conference held in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

The communiqué approved unanimously by the participants of the conference calls on the immediate end to the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

In light of the outcome of the April 2004 referendum which resulted with the Turkish Cypriot peoples overwhelming support for the Annan Plan, the communiqué also acknowledges the positive efforts put forward by the Turkish Cypriot people towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and underlines the fact that it is the Greek Cypriot Side which had prevented a solution being found to the problem that had been occupying the international community for more than 40 years.

The communiqué also calls for increased cooperation between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkic states in economic, cultural and social fields.

Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.08.06) reported the following from Bishkek:

The Cyprus problem can be solved only if the world puts pressure on the Greek Cypriots, FM Serdar Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said.

Participating in a conference on Cyprus in Kyrgyzstan, Denktas noted, the problem can be solved when the world tells the Greek Cypriots to agree with the Turks, and tell them that otherwise, they (the world) will establish relations with the Turks.

Denktas stated that the problem was not political; it was also sportive and cultural because countries which establish such relationships with the TRNC are immediately threatened by the Greek Cypriots.

On the other hand, Turkish MP Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the government is exerting great efforts to resolve Cyprus problem, and stressed that Turkey will not give up the TRNC for its EU membership.

Negotiations may stop due to (our relations with) the TRNC. We won't fulfill the demands of the Greek Cypriots and the EU unless embargoes on the TRNC are lifted and its isolation is ended, he added.

Also taking the floor in the conference, Kyrgyzstan-TRNC Parliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Sadir Caparov said that his country will do its best to support TRNC.

[02] The deputy speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament stated that his country cannot give guarantees regarding the recognition of the TRNC

The deputy speaker of the Kyrgyzstan Parliament Kubanicbek Isabekov stated that his country will approach neutral and will not interfere in the issue of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´.

Some guests who will participate in the conference with the `TRNC´ delegation which came to this country in order to participate in the International Lake Issik Cyprus Conference, which will be organised at the capital Biskent, visited yesterday the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan

The delegation, which was received by the deputy speaker of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan Isabekov, gave information about the Cyprus problem.

Isabekov, answering the questions of the members of the press, after the receiving, stated that they will approach in a neutral manner the Cyprus issue.

Isabekov, who pointed out the close relations between the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan with the Parliament of the `TRNC´stated: Despite these positive developments and the warm and historical ties between our two brother countries, we unfortunately cannot give guarantees on the issue of recognising the `TRNC´.

Stressing that they exert efforts to make serious steps both on the issue of the `TRNC´ and the Nagorno Karabagh which is an important problem for Azerbaijan, Isabekov said: Before anything else we will bare in mind Kyrgyzstans interests. Furthermore we will continue our co-operation with the Turkic republics for the economic development and the prosperity of our people.

Clarifying that the relations between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey are very positive Isabekov noted that they will support the proposals which will contribute to peace and the economic development of the country in the region and the fields of cooperation with the Turkic Republics.

In addition to quests from `TRNC´ and Turkey quests from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan participated also in visit to the parliament.

The International Lake Issik Cyprus Conference, in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas will also participate as a speaker, will take place on Sunday, the 20th of August.

(C/S)

[03] The Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism completes his talks in occupied Cyprus

Mr Koc was received by the self-styled Minister of Economy and Tourism Dervis Kemal Deniz.

During the reception, the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism said that uniting TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) with the rest of the world is among Turkeys main priorities. Mr Koc also expressed hope that his visit would help increase Turkeys support to the TRNC.

Mr Koc met also with the Minister of Education and Culture Canan Oztoprak at a lunch given in his honour. Mr Deniz, Sumer Aygin the self-styled Mayor of Girne (occupied Kyrenia) and other officials have also attended the dinner.

Moreover, illegal Bayrak television (20.08.06) broadcast that following the completion of his contacts in occupied Cyprus, the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Attila Koc, left the island.

Mr. Koc who arrived in occupied Cyprus on Friday, attended the gala of the 4th international Cyprus theatre festival and attended deliberations on a new cooperation protocol being prepared for the construction of a new cultural centre in occupied Lefkosia.

He met also with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and later by the self-styled Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (20.08.06) reports that the self-styled minister of education Canan Oztoprak said that one of the important roads to overcome the so-called isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots is fine arts. She said that this year they have seen the benefits of being a part of the Turkic race and as an example she gave signing of cultural cooperation agreement with the Kyrgyz Republic, and the invitation they have received for cooperation from the Gagavouz Turks.

[04] Ercakica: The Republic of Cyprus is the illegitimate regime in the `South´

Spokesman Hasan Ercakica has accused the Greek Cypriot Administration of pursuing new political games by exploiting the war in Lebanon.

Mr Ercakica said that the Greek Cypriot Administration is trying to turn the free territories of the Republic of Cyprus into a transit logistics base for peace keeping operations and humanitarian aid for Lebanon.

In a written statement Mr Ercakica said that the Republic of Cyprus is trying to portray the illegitimate regime in the South as legitimate by planning to send two Greek Cypriot National Guard officers to Lebanon to assist in Peace keeping operations in Lebanon.

Describing the Greek Cypriot National Guard as an illegal organisation established with the aim of usurping the legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot, Mr Ercakica said that sending officers from such an organization to Lebanon under the supervision of the UN will cast a shadow on the legitimacy of the United Nations.

[05] The occupation regime is working to make buying property in occupied Cyprus quicker

Two major developments were announced this week following adverse publicity concerning the Orams case, a lack of confidence caused by Greek Cypriot property claims and a growing-flood of complaints about bureaucracy, shoddy building work and questionable estate agency practices:

`Premier´ Ferdi Sabit Soyer said the `government´ was pursuing two main strategies to resolve some of the problems encountered by buyers:

A center is to be established to deal with complaints about property purchases in order to resolve disputes without the need for `court´ action.

The process of obtaining permission to purchase is being speeded up, with the number of applications approved so far this year already outstripping those for the whole of last year.

Mr Soyer told CYPRUS TODAY: `As a democratic, modern and civilized country, we have an obligation to tackle the problems of foreigners who choose to live among us and this will be done within the framework of public reform.

We are working to eradicate institutional deficiencies which exist in the `TRNC´.

He said the center for dealing with complaints, to be staffed by English-speaking personnel, was expected to be based in Lefkosia and would be opened as soon as possible, although he could not give an exact date.

The `Cabinet´s´ shift of gear on processing permission to purchase applications comes in the wake of complaints from buyers waiting up to three years for the final seal on their transaction, and concerns over the end of the post-referendum boom in the property market.

`Government sources´ say `almost all applications deemed appropriate´ by government legal officials´ have now been passed to `ministers´ for their approval.

According to `Interior Ministry´ figures, from January to the beginning of this month, a total of 654 applications to purchase were granted to overseas buyers compared with 615 for the whole of 2005 and just 249 for 2004 down by 42 per cent on the previous peak of 425 in 2003, the year the `North-South border´ opened.

[06] Historical statements by Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer

Referring to the developments in the Middle East, Mr Soyer reminded what is happening in Lebanon and alleged that the tension in the Middle East would not reach this point in case the Greek Cypriots said yes at the 24 April 2004 referendum on the Annan Plan. Mr Soyer expressed the opinion that the dynamic of the solution in Cyprus would influence the peoples in the region.

(I/Ts.)

[07] 250 deluxe villas are being constructed in the occupied area of Trikomo

The Director of the Company, Mr Emir Ali Hamit, said that demand for these villas comes especially from Britons and Turkish Cypriots who live in London. He also announced that in the coming years, his company will start an initiative for building a large hotel.

(DPs)

[08] The EU Support Programme Office will start operating in mid-September in occupied Lefkosia

Ms Viezzer said that all the necessary arrangements for setting up the Office Support Programme have been completed and that the office will start to operate in mid-September. She also noted that a support group consisting of permanent and temporary officers of the European Commission will come in mid-September for undertaking long-term duties. She added that the office belonging to the EVKAF is in a building within the old walls of occupied Lefkosia.

Noting that the Commission will decide in Autumn which programmes will be financed, Ms Viezzer said: For this reason, not one concrete project has been submitted yet. Official applications for proposals will start in 2007.

Replying to a question about how the EU Support Programme office would determine whether or not proposed projects in north Cyprus would have any connection to Greek Cypriot-owned property, Ms Viezzer said: Concerning properties, the Commission must assure that they will show respect to the rights of real and legal persons during the implementation of the activities which would be financed within the framework of this regulation. A total mechanism, how this issue will be handled, must be formed.

(DPs)

[09] Turkish Cypriot Union protested regarding increases in prices

The protestors carried banners and chanted slogans calling on the government to resign.

The protest was supported by several other trade unions including Kamu-Sen, Memur-Sen, Bay-Sen, KTOEOS and DAU-Per-SEN.

In a separate protest rally, the Cyprus Turkish Secondary Teachers Union KTOEOS laid a black wreath in front of the Prime Ministry in protest of the latest increases in prices and the actions of the coalition government.

[10] 81.836 passengers have visited via air the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus during July 2006

According to the paper, the illegal arrivals during July 2006 have increased by 14% compared with the last years same period. For the first seven months of the current year, the increase reached 20% compared with last year, with a total of 827.017 passengers to have visited via air the occupied Cyprus, compared with 662.694 passengers during last years same period.

The passengers who travelled to the occupied territories of Cyprus used for their travel the illegal Turkish Cypriot Airlines (KTHY), the Turkish Airlines (THY), the Atlas-Jet Airlines and the Pegasus Airlines.

(M/L)

[11] A new well to be dug in the area of Saint Hilarion

The paper writes that two wells in Ciklos area (Kyrenia area) have been dried because of the increase of the population and the constructions. The digging of the new well is expected to be completed within 40 days.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Bush - Erdogan meeting to take place on October 2

The original date set for October 4 was changed to October 2 due to the previously scheduled visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The date of Merkels visit, October 5-6, will not change.

Erdogan wants to solve matters in the relations with both Germany and the U.S. and therefore, the two meetings are regarded as being equally important.

When the dates of the visits conflicted, Ankara made great effort to change the date of either the Erdogan-Merkel meeting or the Erdogan-Bush meeting.

Ankara wants to discuss the disagreements in bilateral relations, the Middle East problem and the elimination of the organization Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) from northern Iraq.

The expectation of taking concrete steps in the fight against the PKK is being clearly expressed on the eve of meetings between the U.S. and top representatives of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The Turkish government wants to reproduce the positive atmosphere that emerged following the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in June.

Ankara heeds its relations with Berlin.

Among Turkeys priorities in its meeting with the German Chancellor is changing the stance of the Christian Democrat Party leader Merkel, known especially for her opposition to Turkeys joining the E.U., reporters said.

[13] Erdogan discusses UN Lebanon force with Annan, Chirac, and Prodi

According to Turkish official sources, Erdogan and Annan exchanged views about the structure of this peace force. Annan expressed their expectation that Turkey would contribute to the peace force, while Erdoan said that Turkey wants to safeguard of peace and stability in the region, and welcomed the process.

Erdogan stated that Turkey will make public its decision about contributing to the peace force after discussing the matter. The premier recalled that parliament has to approve such a decision.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.08.06 reports the following: The Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi called Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday.

Prodi briefed Erdogan on his talks with other leaders regarding deployment of an international peace force in Lebanon, and expressed not only his country's but also other leaders' wish that Turkey would contribute to it.

On the other hand, Erdogan underlined the importance Turkey attaches to the safeguard of peace and stability in the region, and briefed Prodi on his phone talk with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Erdogan recalled that Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has visited the region.

[14] Scenarios on Turkish troops deployment in Lebanon

On the same issue, Turkish daily ZAMAN online newspaper (20.08.06) reports that the Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz told reporters before his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul that Turkey should send its peacekeeping troops to southern Lebanon.

Israeli and Turkish Ministers met in Jerusalem on Monday.

Israeli Defense Minister Peretz said that he would ask the Turkish Foreign Minister to send their troops to region. "The implementation of [U.N. Security Council] Resolution 1701 was very important," he said.

As part of his talks in Israel, Foreign Minister Gul will meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipni Livni and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Although Turkey has an inclination to send troops to the region, it has not yet made any decisions in the matter.

(MHY)

/SK

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