Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-03-19

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A delegation from the European Union Commission held contacts in Cyprus

[02] Fourteen million EURO have been used in programmes in occupied Cyprus

[03] The Minister of Education of Pakistan is visiting the TRNC upon an official invitation

[04] A dead body believed to belong to the missing Mesut Kafkas was found in occupied Cyprus

[05] Greek Cypriots fear!

[06] The Republican Turkish Party held its 21st congress

[07] Talat commented on the registration of halloumi

[08] The Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance has reportedly announced that 146.442 Turkish citizens work in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[09] Historical graves destroyed during excavations

[10] A vessel carrying illegal immigrants from Mersin to the occupied area of Cyprus has been capsized

[11] CHP Deputy Ersin: No will to investigate Dink murder

[12] Latest AK Party poll shows GP, BBP rising

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[13] Untimely commemoration by the Turkish side of the anniversary of the struggle started by TMT and Turkey to destroy the Republic of Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A delegation from the European Union Commission held contacts in Cyprus

The delegation that included Jaako Blomberg, Special Advisor to the European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, and the European Commission Director General for Turkish Desk Andrew Rasbash met the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and the self-styled prime minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer on March 14th and some political party leaders on the next day.

Mr Talat said in addition to direct trade, issues such as the implementation of financial aid regulations, opening of Ledra gate and the process of July 8th were taken up at the meetings.

Talat who answered the questions regarding the EU delegation's contacts, said the delegation consulted on issues regarding the Cyprus problem and direct trade, adding this was a "regular visit.

[02] Fourteen million EURO have been used in programmes in occupied Cyprus

In a statement he made Mr Bothorel said that out of the 24 programs that have been proposed 11 of those programs have begun.

Mr Bothorel said that the EU funds will be used for improving the infrastructure, urban development projects, the human resources, transports, energy, water distribution, small and medium enterprises as well as scholarships for universities. Explaining that the tenure that was opened for the cleaning up operation of the Lefke (occupied Lefka)mining corporation was reaching its deadline, Mr Bothorel said that he will be announcing soon which company will be receiving the bid.

He concluded by reminding that companies which will be benefiting from the Financial Aid Regulation would not be liable for VAT taxes as financial assistance provided by the European Union was exempt from any form of tax.

[03] The Minister of Education of Pakistan is visiting the TRNC upon an official invitation

Mr Javeed Ashraf Qazi will hold meetings with various persons among them the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the self-styled prime minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the speaker of the self-styled assembly Fatma Ekenoglu and the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Turgay Avci. Mr Javeed Ashraf Qazi is going back to Pakistan tomorrow.

(CS)

[04] A dead body believed to belong to the missing Mesut Kafkas was found in occupied Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (19.03.07) also reports in its first page that a dead body was found in the Hamid Mandres villages and writes that a DNA test will be conducted in order to ascertain whether the body belongs to Mesut Kafkas who has been missing for some days now.

(CS)

[05] Greek Cypriots fear!

Greek Cypriots fear Kosovo may set precedent for KKTC. The Greek Cypriot administration is becoming increasingly concerned about the prospect of Kosovo´s independence setting a precedent for North Cyprus. Greek Cypriots fear that KKTC could use the example of Kosovo as a good example to argue for recognition, Spain is concerned about its own federal system. However diplomatic sources said that while the current Greek Cypriot administration remains reluctant to reunite the island or support EU attemps to end the isolation of Turkish Cyrpiots, the inclination of Turkish Cypriots to press for the international recognition of their state will only get stronger. Greek Cypriots have been quite sensitive to signs of recognition of the KKTC by the international community.

EU diplomats who spoke with Today´s Zamman on condition of anonymity have confirmed that the Greek Cypriot administration had made it clea that it needed clear assurances that this would not happen if Kosovo gained independent status. Diplomats add, however, that Greek Cypriots were not the only country in the bloc to raise concerns, Greece, Spain and member countries neighbouring Serbia were also in the same group of those concerned.

The wider repercussions of Kosovo´s possible independence have been haunting several member countries for different reasons. While Greek Cypriots fear that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) could use the example of Kosovo as a good example to argue for recognition, Spain is concerned about its own federal system. At EU meetings since the end of February the Greek Cypriot delegation has shown a keen interest in the breakaway regions of Georgia, their first sign of interest in the matter. According to a story in the weekly European Voice, Greek Cypriots held up a meeting for a full hour while EU delegations were debating territorial disputes in Georgia.

Greek Cypriots have been quite sensitive to signs of recognition of the KKTC by the international community. However diplomatic sources that while the current Greek Cypriot administration remains reluctant to reunite the island or support EU attempts to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, the inclination of Turkish Cypriots to press for the international recognition of their state will only get stronger. Diplomats cite the example of Montenegro and warn that the independence of Kosovo could also strengthen the hands of those pushing for the KKTC´s recognition unless Greek Cyprus makes it clear that it is for the reunification of the island.

The debates on the future status of Kosovo have flared up at a time when Greek Cypriots are under pressure to agree to direct trade between Turkish Cypriots and the EU. Brussels promised to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots on April 26, 2004, only two days after the Annan plan to reunify the island was overwhelmingly rejected in a referendum among the Greek Cypriots, though it was accepted by Turkish Cypriots. Moves toward the regulation of direct trade prepared by the European Commission have been consistently vetoed by EU member Greek Cyprus.

[06] The Republican Turkish Party held its 21st congress

The Republican Turkish Party (CHP) held its 21st party congress at the Ataturk Sports Complex in Lefkosia.

With no other candidate for the job, the CTP leader, prime minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer was re-elected as the president of the CTP.

However members of the partys organs and executive committees were determined at the congress where 98 candidates contested for the 55 seats available at the partys assembly.

The congress also heard speeches by the CTPs Secretary General Omer Kalyoncu as well as the partys leader Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

A large number of foreign and local guests attended the congress held at the Ataturk sports complex in Lefkosia.

Among the foreign guests attending was the Deputy leader of the Turkish Justice and Development Party Nihat Ergun, the leader of the Turkish Freedom and Solidarity Party Haydar Ilker, Former MP from the German Social Democrat Party Ozan Ceyhun, Members of Greeces main opposition party PASOK Theodoros Tsikas and Costas Zepos.

Member of Greek Cypriot AKELs executive committee Nikos Katsurides, Greek Cypriot DISI leader Nicos Anastasiadis, EDIs Deputy leader Praxoulla Antoniadou Kyprianou and General Secretary Mikis Shanis and head of the Cyprus Green Partys executive committee Gaston Katsurides were also among the representatives of Greek Cypriot political parties attending the congress as the CTPs guests.

There were also foreign diplomats and members of non-governmental organizations who were present at the meeting.

Delivering the opening address at the congress, the CTP General Secretary Omer Kalyoncu said that the Republican Turkish Party was the oldest Turkish Cypriot Party in Cyprus.

He said that the CTP endured great hardships and difficulties on its path to coming to power, adding that the CTP will continue to have an important say in the future of the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Kalyoncu said that he was proud of his partys accomplishments which included the establishment of an effective dialogue between the Turkish Cypriots and the international community.

Also addressing the congress, the CTP leader Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that it was his partys aim to improve the countrys economic and social welfare adding that the CTP was struggling, with the support of NGOs to establish a democratic state based on the rule of law.

Reminding of the hardships, the difficulties and the challenges the party faced when it first set out in 1970, Mr Soyer said that the Republican Turkish Party has succeeded in gathering the publics support to work towards achieving peace and a solution in Cyprus.

Drawing attention to the challenges the CTP is facing in trying to remove the reminiscence of 30 years of Status Quo, the CTP leader Soyer called on all parties in the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) to stop working against each other and to join forces to achieve a better future for the Turkish Cypriots.

Pointing out that the non-solution of the Cyprus problem continues despite the 2004 referenda, Mr Soyer said that instead of blaming each other, the two sides on the island should work together to find a comprehensive and lasting settlement on the island.

Touching upon the Lokmaci (Ledra street)crossing point, the CTP leader said that statements made regarding the opening of a crossing point were meaningless and that the Greek Cypriot Sides continued persistence towards opening a new crossing point at Yesilirmak (occupied Limnitis) will only complicate matters further.

The congress also heard speeches by representatives of Greek Cypriot political parties and other foreign guests attending.

Meanwhile members of the partys organs and executive committees are being determined at the congress. 98 candidates contested for the 55 seats available that make up the partys assembly.

The CTP which has 25 seats in the Republics Assembly - has around nine-hundred-and-fifty delegates.

[07] Talat commented on the registration of halloumi

Stressing that the Cyprus cheese, hellim is also being produced by Turkish Cypriots, Mr Talat underlined the need for the product to be registered under both names.

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side made an application to the European Commission on the issue, Mr Talat said that the Greek Cypriot Administration has no authority in the North and that it is the TRNC Ministry of Agriculture which is to register hellim in the North.

[08] The Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance has reportedly announced that 146.442 Turkish citizens work in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Mr Levent notes:

Do not say what this has to do with us. It is much related to us, because the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance has also announced the distribution of the Turkish Republic citizens all over the world. According to this, the number of the Turkish Republic citizens who live in Northern Cyprus is 146.442!

Mr Levent reminds that the self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, Ferdi Sabit Soyer had announced that according to the results of the population census conducted last year, the number of the Turkish Republic citizens who live in the occupied areas is 77.731. He adds:

There is a difference of 68.711 persons between them! Even if we exclude from this number the TRNC-Turkish Republic citizens, the number of whose was announced to be 33.870, there is a difference of 34.841 persons between the number announced by the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance and the official number announced by our government! .

Mr Levent refers to the results of the census and notes that the real number of the Turkish Cypriots has decreased to 99.096.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Historical graves destroyed during excavations

The paper reports that the works in the area still continue in spite of the fact that 15 stone graves were found. Ten tracks have taken away 400 cubic meters of material between 13 and 16 March upon permission by the self-styled Department of Geology and Mines.

Officials from the Antiquities and Museums Department visited the area, but refrained from giving any information to KIBRIS on the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[10] A vessel carrying illegal immigrants from Mersin to the occupied area of Cyprus has been capsized

(I/Ts.)

[11] CHP Deputy Ersin: No will to investigate Dink murder

Ersin, a deputy for the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), claimed that the reason behind the lack of will to probe the murder on January 19 was to prevent the links between religious groups and the police force being revealed.

Ersin criticised Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah for his statement that the murder was committed with a spirit of nationalism. Ersin asked whether Cerrah was a police chief or a sheriff in the Wild West.

[12] Latest AK Party poll shows GP, BBP rising

A recent poll has indicated that only the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) are expected to pass the 10 percent election threshold barrier but that several other parties are gaining strength.

The AK Partys poll showed Muhsin Yaz1c1olu s BBP may get the highest support ratings in its history.

To be able to enter Parliament, a party must win at least 10 percent of the national vote. The poll also indicates that the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) seems to be slightly below the barrier. Conducted in February by the AK Party, the poll bears similarities to the result of the Nov. 3, 2002 parliamentary elections.

This poll also revealed results regarding the far-right Youth Party (GP) and Grand Union Party (BBP). The GP has support at nearly 7 percent thanks to television commercials. The BBP, which welcomed former MHP members Nam1k Kemal Zeybek and Abdulhaluk Çay, is thought to have garnered its highest support ratings in its history, though well below the 10 percent threshold.

When undecided votes are considered, the following figures appear: AK Party 39 percent; CHP 18.7 percent; MHP 9.7 percent, True Path Party (DYP) 8 percent; GP 6.7 percent, Democratic Society Party (DTP) 4.6 percent; Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) 4 percent; and BBP 3.2 percent.

The latest poll also asked participants to evaluate the government and the prime minister separately. Prime Minister Erdoan outperformed his government. The percentage of respondents who found Erdoan successful was 57.5 compared to 45 percent who approved of the government.

The participants were also polled about their reaction to the banning of the controversial television series "Kurtlar Vadisi" (Valley of the Wolves). The percentage of participants favouring the ban was 46, while 42 percent opposed it. Reactions to the ban of the series varied from party to party. Pro-MHP and GP respondents mostly opposed the ban, while DTP and CHP supporters expressed their approval. For AK Party supporters, however, the percentages of for and against responses were similar.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[13] Untimely commemoration by the Turkish side of the anniversary of the struggle started by TMT and Turkey to destroy the Republic of Cyprus

Hundreds of Turkish Cypriots welcomed with great enthusiasm a retired brigadier general who returned to the divided island yesterday for the first time since 1963 when his wife and three children were killed in 1963 by Greek Cypriots during inter-communal fighting.

At the time, Ret. Gen. Dr. Nihat 0lhan was serving in the Cyprus Turkish Contingent. During an attack launched in December 1963, 0lhan's family was killed in the bathroom of their home where they were trying to hide from attacking Greek Cypriots. The murder which took place on December 24 is known as "Bloody Christmas."

Since that time, 0lhan has never been back to the island where his house has been converted into a museum called the "Museum of Barbarism," in which pictures and stories published in international newspapers about Greek Cypriot atrocities committed during and after 1963 are exhibited. The house is located in the Kumsal district of Lefkoa and the tragedy is also called the "Kumsal Massacre."

Upon his arrival at Ercan Airport in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), hundreds of people greeted 0lhan at the airport gate and chanted slogans such as "Martyrs never die" and waved flags. 0lhan said he never forgot the tragic incident of 1963 or the Turkish Cypriots and said he wished that Turkish Cypriots would live free forever.

Turkey's Ambassador to the KKTC, Türkekul Kurttekin, Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Lt. Gen. Hayri K1vr1kolu and Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Maj. Gen. Mehmet Eröz were also at the airport to welcome 0lhan.

The four-decade-old Cyprus problem erupted after the eastern Mediterranean island was granted independence from Britain in 1960 and an outbreak of inter-communal clashes in 1963. The Turkish military intervened in 1974 under the terms of the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee since diplomacy had failed to end Turkish-Greek Cypriot fighting.

"Bloody Christmas" was part of a Greek Cypriot campaign of annihilation of Turkish Cypriots across Cyprus in what was later revealed by the Greek Cypriot Patris newspaper in 1966 as the "Akritas Plan." The Akritas Plan was aimed at enosis (union with Greece). The National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston, or EOKA) initiated a guerilla campaign on April 1, 1955 with the intention of making the island Greek. In 2004 a former member of EOKA confessed in remarks to the media that EOKA, along with Greek Cypriot soldiers, had raped women and killed men in a Turkish Cypriot village during the campaign of attacks on the Turkish population of Cyprus.

0lhan is expected to hold a press conference today. His departure from the island is scheduled for tomorrow.

On the same issue illegal BAYRAK television (18.03.07) broadcast the following:

Retired Doctor, Brigadier General Nihat Ilhan is in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus after 44 years.

His wife and children were brutally murdered in their bathtub in Lefkosa by Greek Cypriots on the 21st of December in 1963.

The attacks on that day have gone down in Cyprus history as the Bloody Christmas.

Mr. Ilhan who arrived at Ercan Airport yesterday was greeted by the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa, Turkekul Kurttekin, the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Lieutenant General Hayri Kivrikoglu, Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces General Mehmet Eroz and a large crowd of civilians.

Speaking upon his arrival at Ercan Airport, retired Doctor Brigadier General Nihat Ilhan said he was happy to be able to Return to the Republic after all this time and expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot people will live in freedom forever.

He said that as long as Turkey exists, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will exist.

In addition Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (19.03.07) writes in its first page that shock was created among the persons of the Turkish Cypriot community after a statement regarding two Greek Cypriot prisoners of war who were brought to the Turkish Embassy in order to be killed in December 1963 as act of vengeance for the murdering of the family of the retired Doctor Brigadier General Nihat Ilhan. The paper wonders who where those who brought the pregnant Greek Cypriot woman and her husband at the building of the Turkish Embassy on the 28th of December 1963, put them in front of Nihat Ilhan, gave him a pistol and asked for their killing. Denktas and the TMT command staff were informed about this? The Ambassador Mazhar Ozkok did not interfere at all in this situation? Since the Brigadier General Ilhan refused to kill them what happen after to the Greek Cypriot woman and her husband?, asks the paper.

EG/

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