Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-09-11

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Babacan: New formula for a solution in Cyprus on the way.

[02] The CTP-DP coalition ends to-day.

[03] Press conference by the MPs who defected from UBP and DP on the new political formation they plan to establish.

[04] Serdar Denktas accuses the CTP for staining democracy.

[05] From the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press on the government crisis.6. Soyer assesses the British High Court ruling as his governments success.

[07] Serdar Denktas held contacts in Poland.

[08] KIBRIS newspaper: A visit by a Committee from Latvia to the TRNC is on the agenda.

[09] Census results to be announced by end of October.

[10] The occupied area to take part in the OIC Information Ministers meeting in Saudi Arabia.

[11] Fist congress of the Directing Film-Art Association.

[12] Two persons were arrested in restricted military zone.

[13] The universities in occupied Cyprus called on Turkey to send more students.

[14] Turkish oil company reports finds near Syrian Border.

[15] The 436th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Lefkosia commemorated today.

[16] Protocol aiming to increase the flow of German tourists to occupied Cyprus was signed.

[17] A cooperation between Polish towns and the occupied towns of Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Babacan: New formula for a solution in Cyprus on the way

Turkey's chief European Union negotiator Ali Babacan stated on Friday that everybody will benefit from Turkey's membership in the 25-nation bloc.

Holding a press conference about his contacts in The Hague and Brussels, Babacan said that his talks with high-ranking EU officials were dominated by Turkey's bilateral relations, details of the EU process and economic policies that will be followed by the country.

Describing the Union as a "peace project," Babacan said: "Turkey's membership talks are a crucial event not just for Turkey and the EU but also for the future of the world. Those who understand the importance of this reality are backing Turkey's bid in a strong but silent way."

Babacan also stressed that some politicians are using opposition to the EU enlargement process or Turkey's membership bid as a tool to win domestic support.

"Turkey has a lot of things to do. These are above all some steps to be taken in the reform process," he added.

Touching on the recent harshly critical report disclosed by the European Parliament, Babacan stated that the mistakes in and problems with the report will be conveyed to Turkey's EP counterparts for the necessary changes to be made.

On the last day of his contacts in Brussels, Babacan met with EU General Director of Enlargement Michael Leigh. Babacan's European tour came amid EU criticism that he and the Turkish government have become indifferent to EU process.

Babacan hints new Cyprus formula is on the way

Babacan hinted on Friday that a new, technical formula to resolve the Cyprus dispute is on the way and said that the concrete results of the new suggestions will materialize soon.

Expressing Turkey's support for the United Nations' efforts to find a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, Babacan said: "Ankara won't allow the Cyprus dispute to be linked to Turkey's EU bid."

Concerning the opening of Turkish ports and harbours to the Greek Cypriots, Babacan reiterated that Ankara won't take a unilateral step on the issue.

[02] The CTP-DP coalition ends to-day

Following the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces' (CTP-BG) decision to dissolve the coalition government that had been established in partnership with the Democratic Party (DP), KKTC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer noted that he will meet with Serdar Denktas, KKTC deputy prime minister and foreign minister, on Monday and he will take steps for the necessary procedures.

In a statement he issued after the CTP Central Administrative Council once again met today with the aim of assessing the political developments, Ferdi Sabit Soyer stated that he held a phone conversation with Denktas last night and that he informed Denktas on the developments and on the stand of the CTP-BG.

Soyer added: "Following the return of Serdar Denktas to the KKTC tomorrow evening, we will hold a meeting on Monday and later I will take steps for the necessary procedures."

Also assessing the criticism levelled against the decision, Soyer described the developments as "democratic developments," adding that solutions are being developed within the framework of democracy.

Explaining that some of the statements that were issued during the process were regrettable, Soyer noted that "those among the political parties that are in favour of the continuation of the non-solution of the Cyprus problem want to carry politics to a chaotic environment."

Soyer added that "those who are responsible for the one-sided membership of south Cyprus in the EU prior to a solution in the island currently insist on the policy that has been pursued so far in the name of the continuation of the non-solution of the Cyprus issue."

Recalling that members of the National Unity Party [UBP] and the DP who wanted to avoid chaos and who objected to the situation joined a new formation, Soyer stressed that they find this positive, adding: "No one should take this up by laying the responsibility on others."

Serdar Denktas who currently is visiting Poland in order to attend in the Krynica Economic Forum assessed the developments, stressing: "It is very ugly to conduct bargains over the deputies."

Denktas said: "The fact that a party that claims that it so much embraces democracy in the Turkish Cypriot political life has acted in this manner is very ugly. As of now they should not talk about democracy or integrity. It was not appropriate for Ferdi or the CTP to act in this manner."

Explaining that following his return to the island he will discuss the situation with the authorized organs of his party, Denktas reported that he talked to Prime Minister Soyer on the phone and they reached an agreement that the government will submit its resignation to President Mehmet Ali Talat on Monday.

During a meeting that was held with the participation of the party's deputies and minister yesterday evening [ 8 September], the CTP-BG Party Assembly had unanimously given the party chairman and the Central Administrative Council full authority for the resignation of the government and the establishment of a new government.

Turgay Avci, UBP secretary general and Gazi Magusa (occupied Famagusta) deputy; UBP Guzelyurt (occupied Morphou) Deputy Erdogan Sanlidag; UBP Girne (occupied Kyrenia) Deputy Ergun Serdaroglu; DP Iskele (occupied Trimoko) Deputy Mustafa Gokmen; and UBP Deputy Secretary General Enver Ozturk had held a press conference prior to these developments and had announced that they have taken action for a new formation.

On the same issue illegal Bayrak television (10.09.06) broadcast the following:

The Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer is expected to officially present his cabinets resignation to President Mehmet Ali Talat tomorrow.

Before presenting the resignation, Mr Soyer will come together with the partner of the coalition government the Leader of the Democrat Party-Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas.

After the decision taken by the Republican Turkish Party to dissolve the coalition, the Leader of the Democrat Party- Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas said he reached a consensus to hand in the resignation of the coalition government to President Mehmet Ali Talat tomorrow.

Stating that he had a phone conversation with Prime Minister, Mr Denktas said that the matter will be discussed within the partys high ranking organs tomorrow.

The CTP-DP coalition government headed by Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has been in office since the 26th of April 2005.

[03] Press conference by the MP´s who defected from UBP and DP on the new political formation they plan to establish

A group of politicians, who include 3 deputies from the National Unity Party and one from the Democrat Party has announced that they will set up a new political formation.

Members of the group also expressed their readiness to take part in any future coalition governments, adding that the four-MPies within the group will not be demanding for seats in any future cabinet.

Meanwhile, the National Unity Party has decided to call for an extraordinary Congress.

The National Unity Party deputies Turgay Avci, Erdogan Sanlidag, Ergun Serdaroglu, the Partys former deputy-General Secretary Enver Ozturk and the Democrat Party deputy Mustafa Gokmen held a press conference at the Republic Assembly today to announce their decision to set up a political formation.

Speaking at the conference on behalf of the group, Gazimagusa (occupied Famagusta) MP Turgay Avci read a joint statement and said that the groups aim is to set up a new political party that will embrace the Turkish Cypriot people and work in cooperation with Motherland Turkey.

He said that the people had been expecting from the National Unity Party and the Democrat Party to join their forces but expressed the view that this had not been possible because of the differences of opinion within the two parties.

Mr Avci said their resignation became inevitable after the failure of attempts within the party for a structural change and for the formulation of new policies parallel to those of Turkey.

Asked to comment on reports that a meeting took place between the group and some members of the Republican Turkish Party at Mr Ozturks house last night, Mr Avci said the meeting was not a secret, adding that it was just one of the meetings they had been having with political and business circles.

Asked whether the independent MP Erden Ozaskin will join them, he said that the group has no personal conflicts with Mr Ozaskin adding that he could join the group if he wishes.

In another development, the National Unity Party has decided to call for an extraordinary Congress. The decision was announced this afternoon at the end of a meeting of the UBP grouping within the Assembly. A date is yet to be set for the Congress, but the UBP Leader said that the Congress will be held as soon as possible. Mr Ozgurgun also announced that he will not be standing for re-election as the Party Leadership at the Congress. He referred to resignations within his party as a `plot`, adding that the move will give harm to politics.

Earlier, the Democrat Party grouping within the Republic Assembly also met to evaluate the resignation of Mustafa Gokmen. Speaking after the meeting, the Party General Secretary Ertugrul Haspioglu said that the new developments which he called as unethical - could give harm to politics and democracy.

Complaining that Mr Gokmen did not inform the party on his decision to resign, he claimed that immoral proposals are being brought to members of the parliament.

[04] Serdar Denktas accuses the CTP for staining democracy

Denktas also said the CTP's move to announce the breakup of the coalition while he was visiting Poland was against political ethics.

Soyer's Republican Turkish Party (CTP) announced late on Friday a decision not to go ahead with the coalition, saying it was no longer possible to keep the CTP-DP government afloat.

The party chairman and the central executive board have been given instructions to resign and seek a new government, a statement from the CTP said.

Just hours before the announcement, Denktas had said in an interview with the Turkish Daily News in Poland that he would ask Soyer to submit his resignation as prime minister to President Mehmet Ali Talat as early as Monday.

The dissolution of the government came after three deputies from the opposition UBP and one from the DP resigned on Friday. The four deputies are now expected to set up a new party that would most possibly support a CTP government from outside or join a coalition with the CTP.

The fact that Mr. Soyer, who professes to be a staunch defender of democracy, is directly responsible for this alliance [between the four deputies] will go down as a dark stain on the history of Turkish Cypriot democracy, Denktas said.

Denktas also said the DP, which already has been critical of certain of the government's policies, would now pursue an effective opposition but added that it would maintain good ties with President Talat, the former leader of the CTP.

[05] From the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press on the government crisis

The paper notes that as a result of the interventions of Ankara, the left-wing parties had been dissolved in northern Cyprus. Now the right-wing parties turn came, it adds arguing that the destiny of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) will be the same.

AFR0KA writes: The New Cypriots , that is those from Turkey, will fill up the gap afterwards. With Mustafa Gokmen, from the Black Sea, for whom thoughts are made to be appointed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Housing, the target is to bring the people from Turkey to the political arena.

According to the paper, it is alleged that Aydin Akkurt, known for his ultra nationalist views and former advisor of Rauf Denktas, will be appointed as consultant in the new cabinet. It is almost certain that former mayor of occupied Nicosia will be appointed as minister of foreign affairs, argues AFR0KA.

Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SES0 newspaper (11.09.06) reports that the leader of the CTP and self-styled Prime Minister of the breakaway regime, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer, participated in a celebration organized by the Cultural Association of the people from the Black Sea who live in the occupied areas of Cyprus. Mr Soyer sat next to Mr Mustafa Gokmen and danced with the MPs who resigned from the UBP and the DP, notes the paper.

HALKIN SES0 (11.09.06) publishes also a mini gallop with people on the street the majority of whom do not see positively the establishment of a government between the CTP and the MPs who resigned from the UBP and the DP.

Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (11.09.06) reports that the former General Secretary of the UBP, Turgay Avci, who has resigned from his party, told the paper that they are working intensively for the establishment of the new party and that their aim is to complete the work within this week. Pointing out that this week the contacts for the establishment a new government will begin, he noted that his party will be ready for any contacts this week.

Turkish Cypriot daily CUMHUR0YET newspaper (11.09.06) refers to the developments regarding the resignation of the government under the title The crisis of democracy is at the gate .

Turkish Cypriot daily GÜNE^ newspaper (11.09.06), under the title Ministry, money, CTP, AKP , reports that contacts with more MPs from the UBP and DP had been made and that posts, money and other benefits were proposed to them.

Among those who had been contacted were Irsen Kucuk, Ahmet Kasif Nazim Cavusoglu, Kemal Durust and Serife Unverdi from the UBP and Hatice Faydali, Mehmet Tancer and Huseyin Kayim from the DP.

The contacts were made by the head of the religious affairs department, Ahmet Yonluer, who upon an agreement with AKPs MP Saban Disli and Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer, called the MPs and told them that the CTP will break up the government, that Mr Erdogan was informed about this and that he definitely does not want a government with Mr Dervis Eroglu, Mr Huseyin Ozgurgun, Mr Tahsin Ertugruloglu or the Denktas family. Mr Yonluer told them that he wanted to arrange a meeting between them and Mr Disli and proposed posts, money and other benefits to them.

Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (11.09.06) writes that the new party will participate in the new government with three ministers. It alleges that the chairman of this party, Turgay Avci will become minister of foreign affairs and deputy prime minister.

Turkish daily MILLIYET newspapers correspondent in occupied Cyprus Sefa Karahasan reports in MILLIYET (10.09.06) under the title New era in TRNC: Without Denktas after 30 years that the coalition between the Republican Turkish Party (CHP) with the Democratic Party (DP), leader of which is Serdar Denktas, broke up.

The paper writes that after this development the occupation regime is entering a period where no Denktas is at any administration position. The paper notes that the government was waiting for Serdar Denktas, who was in Poland participating in an economic Forum, to return to occupied Cyprus in order for the prime minister Ferdi Soyer, to present the resignation of the government to Mehmet Ali Talat.

(I/Ts.-C/S)

[06] Soyer assesses the British High Court ruling as his governments success

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that the determined approached shown by the Presidential Office and the Government on the Orams Case has prevented the Greek Cypriot Administrations attempts towards changing the islands bi-zonal order.

Speaking at an event last night, Mr Soyer said that the British High Courts ruling on the case was a proper reply to the Greek Cypriot Administrations attempts.

Pointing out that the Presidential Office and his government succeeded to come out with victory from the Orams case as they have the necessary legitimacy and belief, Mr Soyer said that the ruling on the case prevented the Greek Cypriot Administrations attempts to change the islands bi-zonal order and to achieve gains through the property issue.

He said that the judgment on the case which he said was a `big success` - has created a new ground on the property issue.

`No one will believe any more those propagandizing the property issue` he said, calling on the people not to sell their properties with concerns caused by false statements.

[07] Serdar Denktas held contacts in Poland

Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) met European Parliament (EP) Vice President Janusz Onyszkiewicz in Poland.

Denktas, who is actually in Poland to participate in the Krynica Economic Forum, asked the EP to establish direct relations with Turkish Cypriots during his meeting with Onyszkiewicz.

Foreign Minister Denktas underlined the importance of representation of Turkish Cypriots as "observer" in the EP, and asked for Onyszkiewicz's support.

Denktas complained that the financial assistance regulation has not been implemented by the EU yet, and said that this is because of obstacles put forward by the Greek Cypriots.

Ankara's Cyprus action plan is a good one that can end problems, he added.

On the other hand, Onyszkiewicz said that he will search for ways of helping Turkish Cypriots being represented in the EP.

Onyszkiewicz stated that they could not foresee what kind of problems they could face in practice regarding the financial assistance regulation, and asked Denktas to notify him in detail about this matter.

Later on the same day Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.09.06) reported the following from occupied Lefkosia:

Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) briefed participants on the latest stage reached on Cyprus issue in a panel held within the scope of Krynica Economic Forum in Poland.

Denktas underlined that although TRNC and Turkey exerted great efforts for a solution on Cyprus issue, the Greek Cypriot administration's uncompromising attitude caused a deadlock in the solution process.

Stating that lack of common vision between the two sides on the island was one of the reasons of not reaching an agreement on the Cyprus issue, Denktas noted that they could not reach a bi-zonal and bi-communal solution on the issue, because the Greek Cypriot administration ignored political equality.

"There is a complete deadlock in the Cyprus issue. There is no progress even in simple problems that the two peoples on the island face during their daily life," Denktas stressed.

Recalling that Turkish Cypriots said 'yes' to the Cyprus plan of UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan in the referendums held in both sides on April 24th, 2004, Denktas said: "But unfair embargoes (imposed on Turkish Cypriots) still exist. EU should give up its wrong Cyprus policy. Otherwise there will be no consensus."

Underlining that EU should find a way to lift embargoes, he noted that uncertainty on Cyprus issue should be ended immediately.

[08] KIBRIS newspaper: A visit by a Committee from Latvia to the TRNC is on the agenda

During the meeting Mr Denktas discussed with Mr Steponavicius the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem and asked for Latvias support.

In statements made to the illegal TAK news agency reporter right after the meeting, Mr Denktas said that the meeting was a good start for the relations of the TRNC and Latvia to be established. Mr Denktas also asked from Latvia to support the efforts of the platforms within the European Union which are working for a solution to the Cyprus Problem. He also pointed out that he expects Latvia to contribute to the upgrade of the observer status of the two TRNC parliamentarians in the European Council and that he exchanged views with Mr Steponavicius on this issue.

Mr Denktas also said to Mr Steponavicius that a great deadlock exists on the Cyprus Problem due to President Papadopoulos´ attitude and that this deadlock also exists in the efforts of establishing technical committees because of President Papadopoulos stance.

He also said that he reminded Mr Steponavicius of the EU promises of lifting the embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and he discussed with him what Latvia can do on this issue.

The meeting between the two men was held in the framework of the bilateral meetings Mr Denktas was holding in Poland with representatives of different countries, participating in the 16th Krynica Economic Forum -the second biggest international economic forum in the world- as a representative of the TRNC.

(M/L)

[09] Census results to be announced by end of October

(I/Ts.)

[10] The occupied area to take part in the OIC Information Ministers meeting in Saudi Arabia

Emir Ersoy, director of the illegal TAK news agency and Kemal Koprulu, first secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are in the Saudi Arabian capital and carry out bilateral contacts.

They met with Dr. Saleh Al Namlah, permanent under-secretary at the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture and Information, who said that they were and will always be supporting the Turkish Cypriots. They also met with Gazi Hashas, director of the Islamic Solidarity Fund of OIC.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Fist congress of the Directing Film-Art Association

Mr Gokhan Altiner was elected chairman of the association. He said that they are working on documentary films and that shortly films regarding the Coffee Culture and the Coffee Shops in the Turkish Cypriot community, The Life of the Maronites and the drugs problem will be ready.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Two persons were arrested in restricted military zone

(I/Ts.)

[13] The universities in occupied Cyprus called on Turkey to send more students

(C/S)

[14] Turkish oil company reports finds near Syrian Border

In a statement after the TPAO (Turkish Petroleum Corporation) Coordination Board meeting at TPAO Crystal Park in Batman, TPAO Director General Osman Saim Dinc said that the meeting was productive and important decisions were taken. Disclosing that oil was found in all seven wells drilled along the Syrian border between Silopi and Nusaybin, Dinc said: "The output of the wells where oil has been found is higher than the output of other wells. We have begun taking soundings from an eighth well in the region. Our production zones in Camurlu and Kozluca are close to where we are drilling. As a result we already have an infrastructure that is close by. We have oil pipelines. As soon as we extract the oil we channel it to these pipes and merge it into our production. We have included ten additional wells in our program. We are moving forward at the rate of approximately one well per month."

Stating that intensive exploration activities have been under way between Kirklareli and Artvin since 2004, Dinc said: "There are very nice and exciting opportunities in the Black Sea region. We are pursuing these with a large labor force and big budgets. In 2004 natural gas was discovered in the sea off the coast of Akcakoca. Over the last two years we worked hard to bring that field into production quickly. We drilled 12 or 13 wells on the sea floor. These days production platforms are being built. Pipelines will be laid on the sea floor. We are building a storage facility on the coast of Akcakoca. In November we will pump the first commercially viable natural gas from the Black Sea into the BOTAS (Petroleum Pipeline Corporation) line and make it work for the country's economy."

Targeting 100,000 barrels a day

Dinc said that the TPAO produces 72,000 barrels of oil per day in and outside Turkey. Stating that the TPAO plans to increase its daily production to 100,000 barrels, Dinc said that the company produced 21 million barrels of oil last year.

New sounding wells in 2007

Dinc added: "The TPAO's annual investment budget averaged around $50 million in the last 15 years. Last year we spent $220 million. Our budget for this year is $320 million. Next year it will be $420 million and we will drill 35 sounding wells. We want to grow further. We want to reach where we could not reach until now."

[15] The 436th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Lefkosia commemorated today

The 436th anniversary of the conquest of Lefkosia by the Ottoman Empire was marked today with a ceremony in the capital.

The ceremony took place in front of the Lefkosia Martyrs Monument during which wreaths were laid, a minute silence was observed and a 21 gun salute fired.

Meanwhile, messages were issued by political parties and non-governmental organizations to mark the anniversary.

In his message, the President of the Cyprus Turkish Fighters Association Vural Turkmen said that the 9th of September marked the anniversary of two importance developments that changed the course of history- the conquest of Lefkosia by the Ottoman Empire and the Liberation of Anatolia from the Greek occupation.

He said that Turkish Cypriot people will not give up their hard earned statehood and independence to political ploys and tricks.

[16] Protocol aiming to increase the flow of German tourists to occupied Cyprus was signed

According to a written announcement issued by the illegal Ministry, the protocol November 2006- November 2007 has been signed at the headquarters of the Oger Tours in Hamburg, Germany.

The TRNC was represented at the meeting by Hasan Artuner, Director of the TRNC Tourism Advertising and Marketing Office, the Tourism Coordinator in Germany Onal Dorak, and the Oger Tours partner in occupied Cyprus, Director of the Roots Holiday, Ismail Cetin. From the Oger Tours side, Product Manager Aziz Eryeri, the Quality Advisor Ridvam Edebal and the General Manager, Wybcke Meier were present.

During the meeting, Mr Artuner has stressed out their belief, that the German tourism market will be revived for the breakaway regime with this new agreement and that with the Oger Tours, the TRNC has previously established a serious cooperation.

According to the paper, the Oger Tours is the biggest tourist operator in Germany.

(M/L)

[17] A cooperation between Polish towns and the occupied towns of Cyprus

During the meeting, Mr Serdar Denktas briefed Wroclaws Mayor regarding the major developments on the fields of culture, economy, tourism and education in the TRNC (the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the occupied northern part of the Republic of Cyprus). Mr Denktas also explained him the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

The paper reports that during the meetings the principles for cooperation between the Polish town Wroclaw and the occupied towns of Lefkosia, Famagusta and others in the fields of tourism, art, culture and education, were also discussed.

/SK

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