Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-01-18

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] CTP and AKEL agreed to undertake initiatives in their own communities for promoting the Gambari procedure.

[02] Avci reiterates that the issue of the return of the occupied closed city of Varosha to its legal owners is a part of the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem.

[03] The self-styled minister of agriculture will hold contacts in Brussels.

[04] Babacan attends a lunch of the ambassadors of the EU member countries to Ankara.

[05] Tenders for two new electricity power plants will be announced.

[06] Ertugruoglu reiterates the demand for early elections and predicts that the CTP-ORP coalition will not complete 2007.

[07] Iraq is on Turkeys agenda. Turkish troops ready to move into Northern Iraq.

[08] Buyukanit, Gul and Gonul will visit the United States.

[09] A protocol on operation Black Sea harmony was signed between Turkey and Ukraine.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] CTP and AKEL agreed to undertake initiatives in their own communities for promoting the Gambari procedure

The meeting lasted for about two and a half hours. After the meeting the two parties stated that they support the UN procedure towards reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.

CTP and AKEL noted that they will undertake initiative in their own communities for promoting the Gambari procedure. They also stated that they agreed on promoting the discussions on the issues of disengagement and opening the Ledra Street (Lokmaci) crossing point.

The two parties expressed the view that the above-mentioned crossing point should open according to the procedure followed for the opening of the other crossing points.

KIBRIS writes that responding to a question on this procedure, the General Secretary of AKEL, Mr Christofias noted that they did not discuss the details of the issue and added: This is not our job. It is the UNs job.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (18.01.07) reports that the two parties reached a three-point agreement.

Referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (18.01.07) argues that Mr Soyer succumbed to President Papadopoulos demands on the issue of the opening of the crossing point in Ledra Street area.

The paper writes: We are asking Soyer, who said that he agreed with Christofias, the representative of Papadopoulos, and hid the articles of the agreement: Will the UN soldiers take the place of the Turkish soldiers?

(I/Ts.)

[02] Avci reiterates that the issue of the return of the occupied closed city of Varosha to its legal owners is a part of the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem

In a written statement issued yesterday Mr Avci reiterated that the issue of the return of the occupied closed city of Varosha to its legal owners is a part of the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem and added that EU and UN officials as well have said this many times.

Mr Avci argued that the answer to Mr Lillikas statements has been given also by Olli Rehn, Commissioner responsible for the enlargement of the EU, who said that relating Varosha with the lifting of the isolations on the TRNC would be wrong.

Meanwhile, KIBRIS reports also that the occupied Famagusta Port Workers United Forces Platform has announced that it opposes to the conducting of the direct trade with the EU from any other port except the port of Famagusta.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The self-styled minister of agriculture will hold contacts in Brussels

The delegation, which is visiting Brussels upon invitation by the EU, will be briefed on the issue of applying the acquis of the EU in the agriculture of the occupied areas.

Mr Senaroglu said that they will examine the agricultural sector in Brussels aiming at applying it in the agricultural reform in the occupied areas. He noted that they will participate in briefings regarding the Agricultural Development Projects in the EU and they will be informed about the projects and the way by which 30 million euros will be acquired for agriculture within the framework of the Financial Aid Regulation.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Babacan attends a lunch of the ambassadors of the EU member countries to Ankara

Ali Babacan, Turkeys Chief negotiator with the EU was also invited as guest of honour. Mr Babacan referred to the relations between his country and the EU and to the expectations of Turkey.

Mr Babacan argued that the Greek Cypriots should not be given permission to blockade Turkeys EU accession course and expressed the opinion that the decisions which had been taken before regarding the lifting of the isolations of the TRNC should be approved.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Tenders for two new electricity power plants will be announced

Mr Uzun noted that within the next few days they will announce tenders for two new electricity power plants of 180 or 200 megawatt. The new power plants will be built with the Build-Operate-Transfer model, he added.

Mr Uzun said that it is not possible for them to give a raise to the public servants which exceeds the cost of living in 2007. He noted: The issue of desalination of sea water is on our agenda. By adding a unit to the electricity power plant and using the steam produced by the power plant, sea water could be desalinated with low cost. We will put into effect these projects when the power plants are put in use.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ertugruoglu reiterates the demand for early elections and predicts that the CTP-ORP coalition will not complete 2007

Mr Ertugruoglu said that the boycott in the assembly will continue and that the Republican Turkish Party Freedom and Reform Party (CTP-ORP) coalition will not be able to complete 2007.

He reiterated the demand for early elections and argued that the CTP-ORP government is afraid of the elections, because it will not get the support of the people.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Iraq is on Turkeys agenda. Turkish troops ready to move into Northern Iraq

According to Turkish daily SABAH newspaper (18.01.07), the Iraqi government through its ambassador in Turkey answered Erdogan that Kirkuk is not a Turkish but an Iraqi city and that if Turkey enters into Iraq then it will be an occupier.

According to SABAH the USA administration also gave a negative answer to Erdogans demand that the referendum in Kirkuk should be postponed. The US State Department spokesman, Tom Casey said that the Bush Administration is against the postponement of the referendum.

SABAH reports also that the Turkish Foreign Ministry called its Ambassadors in various Middle East countries for consultations regarding the latest developments in the region. During the two day meeting the Iraqi issue, and the Israel-Palestine and Lebanese problems will be discussed.

The paper further reports that Iraqi and US troops in Iraq, raided yesterday the Mahmur Camp in north Iraq where Kurdish refugees from Turkey live under the PKK control. The paper notes that troops checked identity cards and searched for weapons. No weapons were found in the camp.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.01.07) reported that the Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Abdullah Gul, replying to questions on his way out from Hilton Hotel following his talks with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovic of Ukraine who is on an official visit to Turkey, said: Iraq is the most important topic for Turkey, it is the most important topic of the year. He also added that this country is not only important for Iraqis but also for its neighbours. "We called all our ambassadors in the region in this framework and we are consulting them," said Mr Gul.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Ortadogu newspaper (17.01.07), under the title "Mehmetcik is Ready", reported the following:

It is reported that the 240 thousand troops deployed last March along the Iranian and Iraqi borders are awaiting an operation order to go into Northern Iraq.

While the National Assembly is preparing for a general debate on Iraq, the activities along the border of the Turkish Armed Forces, which are determined to wage an effective struggle against the PKK terrorists in Northern Iraq and to protect the Turcomans, are continuing. The available information indicates that 240 thousand of our troops are awaiting an order to "go in." Despite the harsh winter conditions in the region, Mehmetcik [affectionate nickname for the Turkish soldier] is maintaining total control.

It is noted that the military activities are focused on the Van-Hakkari-Sirnak line along the border, and it is said that: "The TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] have been on alert in the region for the past year. The build-up reached its highest point last July. In July, commando units from Kayseri and Bolu, as well as tanks, artillery, and armoured vehicles, were moved up to the border." Indications are coming that the United States as well has given a green light for the operation.

While the National Assembly is preparing for a general debate on Iraq, the activities along the border of the Turkish Armed Forces, which are determined to wage an effective struggle against the PKK terrorists in Northern Iraq and to protect the Turcomans, are continuing. It is reported that the 240 thousand troops deployed last March along the Iranian and Iraqi borders are awaiting an operation order to go into Northern Iraq.

Subtitle: United States has given green light

Noting that the military activities are focused on the Van-Hakkari-Sirnak line along the border, sources provided the following information: "The TSK have been on alert in the region for the past year. The build-up reached its highest point last July. In July, commando units from Kayseri and Bolu, as well as tanks, artillery, and armoured vehicles, were moved up to the border. The available information indicates that 240 thousand of our troops are awaiting an order to 'go in.'"

Pointing out that the movements have been conducted in a period in which the PKK terrorist organization has stepped up its activities, experts noted that the launching of a comprehensive operation against the PKK, which has escalated its terrorist activities both in rural areas and in big cities within the country, could come at any moment.

Subtitle: Statements by [US Ambassador] Ross Wilson

The experts, noting that the PKK members, fearing a likely operation, have been crossing from Iraq into Iran, said: "The only obstacle before us was Iraq. But then America got into an impasse in Iraq. The United States, which got rid of Saddam [Hussein], was unable to get the results that it wanted. The balances in the region were upset, and Iran became the dominant force in Iraq. Iran is keeping the Shi'ite population in Iraq and the radical religious forces in Syria and Palestine under its control. America is very unhappy with this. The statement by US Ambassador Ross Wilson that 'Turkey could conduct a cross-border operation in order to protect its citizens' confirms this. This is the signal for a military operation".

(MHY)

[08] Buyukanit, Gul and Gonul will visit the United States

He will stay in the United States for five days starting on 11 February. During his visit, General Buyukanit is expected to have meetings with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace, Secretary of Defence Robert Gates, and President George Bush's National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.

The discussions at the meetings are expected to focus on developments in the Middle East, mainly Iraq; the PKK presence in Iraq; bilateral military relations; and cooperation in the defence industry.

In the meantime, Minister of National Defence Vecdi Gonul will travel to the United States on 26 January to attend a ceremony in connection with Turkey's participation in the Joint Strike Fighter project. Gonul will meet with Secretary Gates during his visit.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also plans to visit the United States in the first week of February.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.01.07) reported that Mr Gul will visit Paris, Brussels, Davos and the United States to attend various meetings, sources told A.A on Wednesday.

Gul will leave for Paris on January 25th to attend International Donor Conference for Lebanon.

He will then proceed to Brussels on January 26th to attend foreign ministers meeting of NATO-member states. Ministers of 26 NATO-member states will take up Afghanistan and Kosovo issues.

Gul will also represent Turkey in World Economic Forum in Davos between January 26th and 27th. He will deliver a speech at the session on "Turkey's Political Future" within the scope of the forum.

Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan will accompany Gul in Davos.

Gul is also scheduled to visit the United States in the beginning of February. Turkish Foreign Ministry sources stated that they are still working on the schedule of the visit.

[09] A protocol on operation Black Sea harmony was signed between Turkey and Ukraine

The Operation Black Sea Harmony was launched by the Turkish Naval Forces Command in March 1st, 2004. The goal of the operation is to implement the UN Security Council resolutions aiming to encourage global efforts to eradicate terrorism in the post September 11th era, eliminate any threats and risks in the Black Sea, and cooperate with the Active Endeavour Operation staged by NATO in the Mediterranean.

The protocol on Russia's accession to the mission was enforced on December 27th, 2006.

/SK

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article