Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-10-09

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Ministry: Turkey has not approved the Finnish proposal as it stands.

[02] Statements by Talat on the Finnish proposals.

[03] Soyer: Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are still evaluating the Finnish proposal.

[04] A group of Finnish deputies will visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

[05] Revived demand for the usurped Greek Cypriot properties after the decision on the Orams case.

[06] More statements by Soyer.

[07] Statements on developments in Turkish Cypriot internal politics.

[08] Government and opposition to block DTP from fielding independent candidates.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Ministry: Turkey has not approved the Finnish proposal as it stands

Ankara has stated that priority in the right of say over the Finnish proposal is with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Ankaras view was voiced by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan at his weekly press conference today.

Mr Tan said that the Finnish EU Presidency has been discussing the proposal with officials from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Adding that Ankara has been evaluating the Finnish proposal, he said that the aim is to make it possible for Turkeys EU membership process to run without being poisoned by the Cyprus issue. But, he rejected claims that Ankara has already approved the proposals.

Noting that Turkey informed the EU Presidency of its position on the issue, Mr Tan said that what is important is what the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will say on the issue.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal subordinate to Ankara regime set up and maintained through the force of arms by the Turkish Republic in the occupied northern territories of the Republic of Cyprus).

[02] Statements by Talat on the Finnish proposals

TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) Mehmet Ali Talat has claimed that the views expressed by EU Term President Finland on Cyprus were directed against Turkey and not the Turkish Cypriots, adding: "In fact this is the greatest danger."

Stating that efforts are being made to turn the Turkish Cypriots into "the meze of Turkey's EU membership process" and that this is the real danger, Mehmet Ali Talat stressed that they will not allow anyone to violate the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and they will not give up these rights.

Talat toured the marketplace in Girne (occupied Kyrenia) and talked to the traders and the people. Issuing a statement during the tour, Talat explained that the proposals posited by EU Term President Finland are being assessed, adding that the isolation that has been imposed on the Turkish Cypriots for a long time should be lifted not in return for something, but due to the fact that the Turkish Cypriots want peace.

Claiming that Finland's proposals do not include anything for the Turkish Cypriots and that the proposals are actually directed against Turkey, Talat continued as follows:

"In fact this is the greatest danger. In other words, we have become the meze of Turkey's EU membership process. We are not important. We are [treated] as if we are the appetizer. In fact, this is the real danger."

Explaining that they have already noted that it is not logical for the Turkish side to accept this, Talat continued as follows:

"It is possible to posit proposals or to express views, but what is important is what we are saying in the face of these proposals and views. We have rights that are known by everyone. All of you know these rights and you approve of them. We do not intend to give up these rights. This is all. The isolation should not be removed in return for something. Rather, it should be removed because we want a solution. They had claimed that the isolation stemmed from the fact that the Turkish Cypriots opposed the unification of Cyprus. We are not in this position. On the contrary, the Greek Cypriot side opposed the unification, not us. Therefore if isolation is to be imposed, it should be imposed on them and not on us. We are not saying that isolation should be imposed on them, but we are saying that if it is to be imposed, it should be imposed on them."

Emphasizing that the Greek Cypriots, rather than the Turkish Cypriots oppose the unification of Cyprus, Talat underlined that if isolation is to be imposed, it should be imposed on the Greek Cypriots, rather than the Turkish Cypriots.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to exploit Turkey's EU membership process and that it has begun to impose pressure for the opening of the ports to the Greek Cypriot side and for its other demands, Talat stated that Turkey is acting stubbornly where this issue is concerned. Talat said the following:

"Turkey was insistent and stubborn where this issue is concerned. It said: 'If the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots is lifted, we will do this.' And now these issues were turned into a package and they were put forth by Finland. We are now saying that we do not accept the removal of the isolation in return for giving something to the Greek Cypriot side because we have already proven that we want peace and that we want to unify the island. This is why the isolation should be lifted. This is because all this has become meaningless. And therefore there is nothing we can give to the Greek Cypriots. You do not have the right to demand from us anything in return for direct trade or in return for the removal of the isolation imposed on other fields. The matter reached a deadlock at this point."

Noting that Finland's efforts and proposals aim to ensure that Turkey does not experience difficulties during the EU process, Talat said the following: "However we openly put forth our stand. Nevertheless we are not running away from talking. Running away is meaningless. We will hold talks. We have many issues to talk about." Noting that direct flights to the Ercan Airport is one of these issues and that this is very important for the Turkish side, Talat stressed that there is no logical way to explain why he has to visit Brussels by flying to Brussels via Istanbul.

Underlining that in conclusion, they will not say "yes" to anything that does not safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, Talat added that there is nothing to be worry about, to be afraid of, or to be concerned about in all this.

Moreover, illegal Bayrak television (07.10.06) broadcast the following:

President Talat has said that the Turkish Cypriot peoples desire to see the international isolation end was because of its non-secessionist ambitions.

He reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot people is in favour of finding a comprehensive and lasting federal solution to the Cyprus problem based on bi-zonality, bi-communality and the political equality of the two sides.

Speaking during a visit paid to him today, the President said article 541 and 550 of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annans report presented to the UN Security Council contained nothing against the removal of the international isolation, but was merely linked to further integrating the economies of the two sides in Cyprus.

Explaining that no UN Security Council resolution states that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is obliged to giving anything to the Greek Cypriot Side, President Talat said that no negotiations on this issue had been discussed.

Pointing out that the ports in the TRNC had to be upgraded in accordance with the EUs acquis communitaire, Mr Talat complained that the Greek Cypriot Administration, which had a say in all decision-making mechanisms of the EU, was obstructing all efforts to harmonize the Norths infrastructure in accordance with EU standards.

Stating that it was meaningless to discuss the possibility of assigning a supervisory role for the UN in the operation of TRNC ports, the President said that United Nations only carried roles in cases where the host country was unable to administer or govern itself.

Referring to the proposals drafted on Cyprus by the EU term president Finland, President Talat said that the proposals were very similar to those put forward earlier by the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos.

The President said that it was not possible for the Turkish Cypriot Side to accept any proposals that will not safeguard the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Explaining that the proposals being drafted were not designed to deal directly with the Cyprus Problem but instead were prepared to facilitate progress in Turkeys EU accession talks, the President said that proposals being drafted had yet to be presented as a single document.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (09.10.06) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat will visit Brussels today and meet with high ranking EU officials. At 17:30 today he will meet with the chairman of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso. Tomorrow at 10:00 he will meet with the Speaker of the European Parliament, Josep Borell and at 16:00 with the Commissioner for the Enlargement, Olli Rehn. He will also give a press conference at Residence Palace at 18:00.

In statements to Basaran Duzgun, editor-in-chief of KIBRIS, Mr Talat said that he asked to go to Brussels and that the Europeans gave him appointments at the highest level. Talat said: I will ask the lifting of the isolations of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkeys accession course should not be related with our isolations. They are relating it and they are committing a mistake. They told us that they will lift the isolation because we said yes. There were no conditions. That is, there was no condition such as you will give the Greek Cypriots something and we will lift the isolation. I will explain all these to the European officials.

Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (09.10.06), under the title And now the fear of being an appetizer, refers to the visit of Mehmet Ali Talat to Brussels and reminds his statement that the Turkish Cypriots will not become Turkeys EU appetizer.

Noting that the statements of Mr Talat regarding being an appetizer caused surprise, the paper adds that he said, inter alia, the following: That is, we have become an appetizer of Turkeys EU accession course. We are not the main issue. We are something like its appetizer. This is the danger in any case.

AFRIKA writes that no light has been yet shed on the Finnish proposals. The German Chancellor Merkel said that the proposals are on the table, while the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that we examined the proposals and we have submitted our counter proposals, notes the paper reminding that Talat said that nothing exists in writing.

[03] Soyer: Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are still evaluating the Finnish proposal

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey were continuing to evaluate proposals on Cyprus being drawn up by the EU term president Finland, which foresee the opening of Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot registered vessels.

Speaking to reporters yesterday during a visit paid to him, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer pointed out to how the Turkish Cypriot Side had single handedly facilitated the Greek Cypriot Administrations membership into the European Union by categorically rejecting all proposals presented to it in the past.

He added that within this context the Turkish Cypriot Side was currently evaluating Finlands proposals in an attempt to prepare the ground for comprehensive negotiations.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot Side was working closely and exchanging views with Turkey, the Prime Minister said it was highly unlikely that the Greek Cypriot Side will accept anything that will mount to easing the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Complaining that the Greek Cypriot Administration was hiding behind the EUs undisputable and unnegotiable principles, Mr Soyer pointed out that the European culture was a culture based on understanding and common values.

Referring to President Talats forthcoming visit to Brussels where he will be holding a series of high-level contacts with EU officials, Mr Soyer said that the President was aiming at gaining a positive outcome from these meetings.

Stressing that the Cyprus Issue should not become a stumbling block for Turkeys accession into the EU, the Prime Minister said that rather this process should assist efforts towards finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem.

Prime Minister Soyer also told reporters that he had held a meeting yesterday with the UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser to Cyprus-Chief of Mission Michael Moller but refrained from revealing what was top on the agenda.

[04] A group of Finnish deputies will visit the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Paavo Lipponen whose country holds the EU Presidency - has said that progress is needed to be achieved on the Cyprus issue for Turkey to join the European Union.

Mr Lipponen also announced that a group of Finnish deputies will be visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Speaking on his arrival in the Turkish port city of Izmir, he warned that everyone - Turkey, the European Union and the two sides in Cyprus - will lose in case of a failure to achieve progress on the Cyprus issue.

Underlining the need for the Cyprus problem to be handled, he said that ways of making it possible for the two sides on the island to live together should be discussed.

Mr Lipponen added that he will discuss the Cyprus problem during his contacts in Ankara, but, he stressed the need for these kinds of efforts to be carried out in parallel to the United Nations efforts on the issue.

He noted that everyone should work on the Cyprus problem which he said is not a matter just for the European Union, but also for the United Nations.

On Turkeys EU membership process, Mr Lipponen said that Turkeys EU membership process could be a difficult one, but, added that Ankara and Brussels should work together to remove all the obstacles in the way of full EU membership.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (09.10.06) reports that in statements in Izmir before the visit of Finnish MPs to Cyprus, the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Liponnen warned that in case the opportunity regarding the Finnish proposal is not evaluated, the loss for the sides will be very high. He said that the aim of their visit to Nicosia will be making the necessary steps towards increasing confidence. We, as EU term presidency, are working very hard. The Turkish Cypriots, Turkey and the EU will work on mutual confidence building measures. The signs are developing in this way. In every side there is a positive stance. We have to evaluate this well. Otherwise, the loss for the sides will be very high.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the occupied by 40,000 troops northern part of Cyprus).

[05] Revived demand for the usurped Grek Cypriot properties after the decision on the Orams case

The chairman of the Real Estate Agents Union, Hasan Sungur has said that the demand now in the sector reached the level of 2003.

The chairman of the Building Contractors Union, Cafer Gurcafer noted that an activity began again in the constructions after the Orams case and that foreigners are showing interest again in this sector. He added that those foreigners, who had reserved houses before the Orams case, began to take them now.

(I/Ts.)

[06] More statements by Soyer

In an interview with illegal TAK news agency, Mr Soyer noted that the reform in the public sector, the social securities and the development of the economy will be the priorities of his government.

He argued that the parties in the occupied areas, the civilian organizations and the intellectuals must react against the blackmail policy which President Papadopoulos applies in order to prevent all the officials of the foreign states to meet with Talat.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Statements on developments in Turkish Cypriot internal politics

Referring to the boycott of the parliament, he noted that they will not allow the DP and the National Unity Party (UBP) to turn their internal problems into problems of the country.

KIBRIS reports also that it will be difficult for the MPs of the DP and UBP to put into practice their decision to withdraw from the parliament. With this decision the MPs will be deprived of their salary which amounts to 6 billion Turkish pounds per month for each MP and their parties will not take the financial aid from the state, it notes.

Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (09.10.06) reports that the chairman of the Democratic Party, Serdar Denktas has said that they will continue the boycott of the parliament until their de facto resigning from it. He noted that they act together with the UBP on this issue, but the unification of the right wing parties is not on the agenda.

Turkish Cypriot daily YEN0 DUZEN newspaper (09.10.06) reports that Ferdi Sabit Soyer stated that they will not bring the expulsion of the MPs of the UBP and DP from the parliament onto the agenda.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Government and opposition to block DTP from fielding independent candidates

The three parties represented in Parliament have reached a lightning fast consensus on changes to be made to the Constitution and Elections Law. Prime Minister Erdogan worked late at Parliament the other night holding a meeting with the AKP [Justice and Development Party] Group Deputy Leaders until late. The meeting discussed an amendment to the Constitution drawn up by jurists in the party led by AKP Group Deputy Leader Sadullah Ergin. Erdogan approved the idea of reducing the minimum age to run for elections from 30 to 25. He also approved of having the names of independent candidates written on a combined voting slip. With the decisions made the AKP Group sprung into action. They first visited the CHP [Republican People's Party] group leaders and then spoke with the Motherland Party leadership. The AKP members also sought the support of the DYP [True Path Party]. After consulting with their respective party chairmen the CHP and Motherland lieutenants announced they supported the proposals.

Subtitle: Government and opposition hand in hand

With the signature of the three parties it was decided to enact the changes. The amendment proposals were immediately submitted to the Parliament Speaker's Office.

The proposal envisages amending Articles 26 and 28 of the Elections Law and placing independent candidates on the election slip. The reasoning for this was stated as: "Preventing the confusion resulting from independent candidates and ensuring that the elections are carried out with complete discipline."

This amendment will prevent independent candidates from printing and distributing their own slips. Political lobbies state that the reason behind these amendments is to sideline the DTP [Democratic Society Party] which is expected to field independent candidates. With the minimum age for running for Parliament reduced an extra 6 million people will be eligible to run in the elections.

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