Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-04-10

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Immovable Property Commission announced new data on applications made by Greek Cypriots

[02] The building of constructions has began in occupied Morfou

[03] Murat says that they have turned Trikomo and Karpass into a construction site

[04] Medview owner in talks with Garry Robb over completion of part-built homes in occupied Cyprus

[05] Pertev to hold contacts in New York

[06] Erdogan: We want a just and lasting solution in Cyprus under the UN basis

[07] The breakaway regime informs foreigners on the Green Line Regulation

[08] Rauf Denktas in action over the Gambari process; Serdar Denktas says that no solution could be found with the Greek Cypriots

[09] The CTP is accused of dividing the trade unions

[10] Izcan supports the 8 July process and urges the UN Security Council to undertake new initiatives

[11] Bulutoglulari reacts to Eleni Mavrous letter to the mayor of Istanbul

[12] Germany sees no progress in direct trade, eyes Lokmac1

[13] Turkish Cypriot Industry Chamber calls the measures announced by the Cyprus government as an instance of hypocrisy

[14] Serdaroglu back to UBP

[15] Black wreath was left in front of the illegal BRT

[16] Critical week for Turkey because of the forthcoming presidential elections

[17] More DTP officials were arrested by Turkish police

[18] Gunden newspaper closed down by Istanbul Court

[19] The breakaway regime launches a tourism campaign in Birmingham

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Immovable Property Commission announced new data on applications made by Greek Cypriots

The Immovable Property Commission which was set up with the aim of providing a domestic remedy for the property claims raised by Greek Cypriots is continuing its work.

According to the TAK news agency, the Commission has finalized 18 of the 130 cases filed by Greek Cypriots.

According to the Commissions decision, the properties of the 3 Greek Cypriots will be reinstated and the rest will be compensated.

In line with the mutual agreement signed between the Commission and the applications, without the need to go to Court, two lands in Tatlisu (occupied Akanthou) and one in Ziyamet (occupied Leonarisso) will be handed back to the former Greek Cypriot owners.

The Immovable Property Commission which was accepted as a `local remedy` by the European Court of Human Rights to property claims by Greek Cypriots was established in accordance with the Law for the Compensation Exchange and Reinstatement of Immovable Properties.

[02] The building of constructions has began in occupied Morfou

Hasan Tosunoglu, director of Tosunoglu Group, said that they had seen that there was lack of information regarding the constructions sector and that is why they had this research done.

KADEMs director, Muharrem Faiz said that the research was conducted in 724 houses, 237 working places and 212 architects and engineer offices. He noted that according to the results of the research, Trikomo and Keryneia are the areas where the most constructions were built during the past two years. The increase in Trikomo was 13.7 % and in Keryneia 13.5 %.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Murat says that they have turned Trikomo and Karpass into a construction site

Mr Murat toured the Karpass area last Friday. He noted that the one fourth of his ministrys budget is spent for the above-mentioned areas. Murat said that they have already opened tenders for the construction of a new court building at Trikomo and the offices of the self-styled ministry of labour and social insurances will be completed in the same village within 5-6 days.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Medview owner in talks with Garry Robb over completion of part-built homes in occupied Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot businessman Ali Ozmen Safa is in negotiations to take over the completion of part-built homes at Amaranta Valley. The Medview Homes managing director was approached by Aga Development Construction founder Gary Robb and an initial meeting was held six weeks ago, CYPRUS TODAY has discovered.

Builders downed tools at the Aga Development project in September 2005, leaving around 300 people, mainly British, with only partly constructed homes despite investing tens of thousands of pounds each.

Mr Safa says he has requested that Mr Robb prepare a balance of his accounts so he can conduct a feasibility study before any funds are injected into the project, although the financial picture of Aga Development is bleak. We are stocktaking at the moment, he said. The immediate picture I have received is that installments from homebuyers have been spent, there is no money in the safe and the remaining installments may not be enough to complete the developments because of the time that has passed.

He told CYPRUS TODAY he would only take control of the Amaranta Valley site at Arapkoy (Tr.Note: occupied Klepini) with the unanimous agreement of the government, homeowners and Aga Development. My only condition is that all sides agree that I should get involved in the project. Then I will investigate the situation and demand that all parties are loyal to their responsibilities. For the properties to be completed, he wants the buyers to pay their final installments and any money taken out of the development by Mr Robb to be returned.

Mr Safa said he was not interested in financial gain but wanted to solve the deadlock because the Aga saga was damaging the TRNC construction industry´s image and the buyers were out of pocket.

Earlier, Mr Robb wrote a message to the Aga buyers´group internet message board stating that he had met with Mr Safa concerning the takeover of Amaranta Valley. According to his message, the meeting was held in the presence of Dogan Harman, managing editor of Kibrisli newspaper. Mr Safa confirmed that another person had been present but refused to identify who it was.

Last week, in a message board spat relating to one of his own Medview developments, Mr Safa told his buyers they were lucky that you dealt with Medview and not some of the crooks and shysters who are out there stealing people´s money and ruining their dreams.

In a message to the buyers, he added: If you want to be shown respect then show respect for me, my companies and my staff. North Cyprus cannot do without me and my contribution to the economy it can certainly do without a few winging Brits who think they are God´s gift to the human race.

[05] Pertev to hold contacts in New York

Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev left the Republic for New York where he will meet with United Nations Officials.

Mr Pertevs contacts in New York will concentrate on the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue. A break will be given to the talks between Mr Pertev and Tasos Tzionis an aide to the Greek Cypriot Leader, because of Mr Pertevs visit to New York.The two senior aides have been conducting talks within the 8-July Process launched by the two leaders last year.

[06] Erdogan: We want a just and lasting solution in Cyprus under the UN basis

We want a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus under the auspices of the United Nations.

This was reiterated by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who gave an interview to a Turkish True Magazine. In this months edition, the magazine includes a section on Cyprus entitled A New Vision in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

In his interview, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan stressed that as a result of the initiatives taken in the last four years, the TRNC has improved its position on the international arena.

Mr Erdogan called on the European Union member states to come to realize the fact that the Greek Cypriot Side and Greece have been benefiting from the non-solution in Cyprus and they refrain from bringing about a solution to the Cyprus problem under the principle of political equality with the Turkish Cypriot Side.

The magazine also includes statements from Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister Turgay Avci, and the President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Erdil Nami.

In his statement, Mr Avci stated that the current strong position and existence of the TRNC should be taken into consideration as it clearly shows the point reached by the Turkish Cypriot People today.

For his part, Mr Nami called on the EU to put pressure on the Greek Cypriot Side to make them to sit at the negotiation table under the UN guidance with establishing balance between the two sides both in moral and material terms.

[07] The breakaway regime informs foreigners on the Green Line Regulation

The objective of the protocol is to inform the foreigners that when they cross over from the free areas to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, they have the right to carry with them goods for personal use the worth of which does not exceed 135 euros. According to a statement issued by the TCCC, brochures will be prepared and distributed at the barricades for informing the foreigners on the purchase of goods, the tax-free practices and places which they could visit.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Rauf Denktas in action over the Gambari process; Serdar Denktas says that no solution could be found with the Greek Cypriots

The former President Rauf Denktas has called on the Democrat Party and National Unity Party to draw their red lines on the Cyprus Issue in consultation with other political parties. The former President paid visits to the DP and UBP headquarters in Lefkosia today.

Speaking during the visits, the former President expressed the view that the Gambari Process was leading the Turkish Cypriot people into a dead-end and said that he will be meeting with President Mehmet Ali Talat and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer in the coming days to explain his views regarding the 8-July process to them.

Mr. Rauf Denktas claimed that it's just a waste of time to continue talks with the Greek Cypriot Administration, which was clearly trying to assimilate the Turkish Cypriot People into a minority within a purely unitary state. The former President noted that he had asked the DP and the UBP to draw their red lines on the Cyprus issue and to announce that the existence of the state and Turkey's guarantor position are their red lines.

Referring to a statement by President Talat that the Annan Plan should be the basis of negotiations between the two sides in Cyprus, the former President said the Cyprus negotiations process should be restarted only on the basis of the political equality of the two sides.

For his part, the leader of the Democrat Party Serdar Denktas said that his party shared the concerns voiced by Mr. Rauf Denktas and expressed the belief that no chance remained in achieving a joint settlement with the Greek Cypriot Side. He added that the Gambari process was leading the Turkish Cypriot people to a process of osmosis.

Also speaking during his meeting with the former President, the leader of the National Unity Party, Tahsin Ertugruloglu said that raising false hopes within the public on finding a solution was in fact disrespecting the peoples' political will.

The UBP leader said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was itself providing a solution to the Cyprus problem and said that his party would give its backing to the establishment of a United Cyprus where the existence of the TRNC would be protected.

[09] The CTP is accused of dividing the trade unions

Under the title The CTP is dividing KTOS, AFRIKA publishes statements by the General Secretary of KTOS, Sener Elcil who accused the CTP of dividing the Civil Servants Trade Union (KTAMS) first in order to prevent the trade unions from acting together.

Now they are directed toward KTOS, he added and argued that efforts are exerted for doing away with a team which supports the independent action of the trade unions. He noted that the preparations for dealing a blow to this team during KTOS general assembly on 28 April have already begun. The paper notes that the CTP administration, which tries to force the teachers act according to its instructions, has postponed for May the promotions expected to be made in the education, in order to serve this purpose.

Referring to the discussions for the protocol, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI (10.04.07) newspaper reports that the trade unions are divided. KTAMS and KTOS are positive to the governments proposals, whereas KTOEOS, KAMU-SEN and KAMU-IS described it as unacceptable. The self-styled minister of finance, Ahmet Uzun said yesterday that after the discussions the meetings ended, the government said its final word and now the ball is in the field of the trade unions.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN (10.04.07) newspaper refers to the issue under the title The last word from the government: 8 % net increase.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily ORTAM (10.04.07) newspaper covers the issue under the title Interference in KTOS.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS (10.04.07) newspaper refers to the issue under the title The government is relaxed; the trade unions are in pain.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Izcan supports the 8 July process and urges the UN Security Council to undertake new initiatives

Mr Izcan described as a great loss the fact that the committees on daily and humanitarian issues provided for in the 8 July agreement have not yet been created. He claimed that new initiatives are needed so that the way for the negotiations in Cyprus is opened and called on the UN Security Council to undertake initiatives.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Bulutoglulari reacts to Eleni Mavrous letter to the mayor of Istanbul

The Greek Cypriot Side has reacted to the invitation sent to the Mayor of Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari to attend the 4th Worlds Municipality Mayors Summit in Istanbul.

The Mayor of South Lefkosia Eleni Maro has sent a letter to the Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas, claiming that Mr Bulutoglulari who was invited to the Summit as the Cyprus Turkish Mayor of Lefkosia is only a local representative of the Turkish Cypriot People.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA (10.04.07) newspaper reports that Cemal Bulutoglulari, self-styled mayor of the occupied part of Nicosia, commented yesterday on a letter sent by Mrs Eleni Mavrou, mayor of Nicosia, to the mayor of Istanbul, Kadir Topbas regarding the status of the self-styled municipality at the Summit of Mayors which will take place in the above-mentioned Turkish city.

Mr Bulutoglulari said that he read Mrs Mavrous statements in the press and he was shocked. He noted that he could not understand why Mrs Mavrou sent such a letter to Mr Topbas and wondered how they will cooperate from now on with Mrs Mavrou and carry out bi-communal projects together.

He alleged: I am conveying this behaviour of hers to Mr Moller. He always invites me to the activities as Mayor of the Turkish Nicosia and introduces me as such. Eleni Mavrou as well participates in these activities. But you look that Eleni Mavrou makes such a statement now. I think that she too began to behave politically. And this is sad . The paper covers the issue using as title a statement by Bulutoglulari who referring to Mrs Mavrou argued that in all probability a stone has fallen onto her head .

[12] Germany sees no progress in direct trade, eyes Lokmac1

Germany is spending energy on finding a way to open the Lokmac1 crossing as a face-saving formula after realizing any efforts to help pass the European Union-promised direct trade regulations for northern Cyprus will be futile by the end of its term presidency expiring in July.

The German efforts on Lokmac1 became evident last week when Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat referred to a telephone conversation with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who only concentrated on the opening of the crossing.

Under intense pressure from the Greek Cypriots, Germany has seen it is not possible to pass the direct trade package in its 2004 version because Greek Cypriots are doing their best to narrow the package and never allow trade between the Turkish Cypriots and the rest of the EU via the ports in the north, the Turkish Cypriot Ambassador here, Tamer Gaziolu, told the Turkish Daily News.

Similar to what its predecessor Finland did, German initially wanted to take further steps with regard to the decades-old Cyprus dispute as soon as taking over the term presidency and remained committed to go ahead with the direct trade package aimed at easing the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, who said yes to a U.N.-proposed plan for reunification with the Greek Cypriots in a 2004 referendum. In January, the EU agreed to pursue the direct trade with northern Cyprus in light of a December decision made by the bloc's leaders when Finland was at the helm.

Subtitle: Direct trade dropped from the agenda:

Germany, as one of the leading EU member states, believed any abortive attempt during its term presidency would harm its prestige, so it preferred to drop the direct trade regulations from the agenda and instead concentrate on the opening of Lokmac1, Gaziolu said.

As a citizen of Berlin, which was once Europe's sole divided city, German Foreign Minister Steinmeier shows particular interest in the opening of the Lokmac1 crossing in the world's last divided capital.

Speaking to reporters having wrapped up his talks in Ankara last week, Talat shared some excerpts from his telephone conversation with Steinmeier, saying that the Greek Cypriots misled the German minister, who was told the only obstacle before the opening of Lokmac1 is the military presence in the area.

Greek Cypriots told Steinmeier that the Turkish military avoids standing at a 100-meter distance from Lokmac1, according to Talat. Steinmeier asked me about this. I told him that the military is already at a nearly 100-meter distance, something which is even meaningless to debate, Talat said. I also told him the military will not be in charge of controls at the crossing [once it opens] and will stand at a certain distance as far as the security measures are concerned.

Turkish Cypriots argue that they took the first step on the way to open Lokmac1 by dismantling the footbridge on the Ledra Street in January, in a goodwill gesture to the Greek Cypriots, who later pulled down the wall on their side in reciprocity.

[13] Turkish Cypriot Industry Chamber calls the measures announced by the Cyprus government as an instance of hypocrisy

The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry rejected on Saturday a Greek Cypriot proposal to ship Turkish Cypriot goods to Larnaka before they were exported to European countries and said that it was an instance of ´hypocrisy´. ´The only goal of this proposal can be to prevent the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to directly export its goods to Europe´, a statement from the chamber said, reacting to an ´economic measures package´ presented to EU Acting President Angela Merkel.

Noting that they encountered obstacles created by Greek Cypriot administrations secretly or openly whenever they try to increase trade from Northern Cyprus to the Southern Cyprus, the chamber said they failed to put their products in the shelves of Greek Cypriot markets. While preventing practices of the Green Line statute between us, trying to use the same statute abroad as a means of Osmosis is mere hypocrisy, the statement added, ´it is impossible to bring the two communities closer by hypocrisy´.

The statement also denied allegations of Greek Cypriot press that almost 100 Turkish Cypriot firms obtained ´transportation licence´ from Greek Cypriot administration. It called on Greek Cypriot administrations' foreign minister George Lilikas to apologize for portraying ´the driving licences´ obtained by Turkish Cypriot drivers from Greek Cypriot administration to be used just in case as ´transportation licences´.

[14] Serdaroglu back to UBP

Independent Girne (Tr. Note: Occupied Keryneia) deputy Ergun Serdaroglu has rejoined the main opposition National Unity Party.

Mr Serdaroglu rejoined his ex-party with a ceremony at the Republics Assembly this morning.

Mr Serdaroglu who resigned from the UBP in September 2006 during the formation of the Freedom and Reform Party, gave his backing to the government as an independent deputy.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Leader of the main opposition national Unity Party Tahsin Ertugruloglu said that Ergun Serdaroglu had resigned from the UBP for personal reasons and his resignation was not related to the formation Freedom and Reform Party. He also stated that Mr Serdaroglu had decided to suspend his duties within the UBP for a while and during this period he never cut his ties with the party.

For his part, Ergun Serdaroglu reiterated that he resigned from the party due to personal reasons and said he never made an effort to form a new party because he is against this kind of actions in principle and in ethics. He made clear that he withdrew the support he was providing to the government because he was not pleased with governments actions. The distribution of seats in the parliament has changed once again with the re-joining of Ergun Serdaroglu to the UBP.

After Mr Serdaroglus decision to join his ex-party, the National Unity Party has increased its number of seats in the TRNC parliament to 14.

Currently, the senior coalition partner the Republican Turkish Party has 25 seats and the junior coalition partner the Freedom and Reform Party 4 while the Democrat Party has 6 and the Peace and Democracy Movement 1 seat in the 50-seat TRNC Parliament.

Last week, Ergun Serdaroglu withdrew the support he was providing to the Republican Turkish Party-Freedom and Reform Party coalition and announced that he would not be attending the meetings of the Republics Assembly.

[15] Black wreath was left in front of the illegal BRT

The Cyprus Turkish Platform has left a black wreath in front of the Bayrak Radio Television Corporation to protest it for broadcasting the documentary movie `Duvarimiz` (Our Wall).

Criticizing the BRT for its broadcasting policies, the Platform called on the BRT Director Huseyin Gursan to resign.

In a statement earlier, Mr. Gursan said the documentary was broadcast to explain all the bitter experiences of the past to prevent the repetition of those days in the future. Members of the Platforms Action Committee gathered in front of the BRT premises in Lefkosia this morning to protest the Corporation for broadcasting the documentary movie, `Duvarimiz`. During the protests, the group observed a minutes silence and sung the National Anthem.

The group which also carried placards and chanted slogans against the BRT broadcasting policies, left a black wreath at the entrance of the BRT premises.

In a statement read out, the Action Committee said the Bayrak Radio Television Corporation is the voice of the Turkish Cypriot People and the `National Voice` of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The Committee claimed that the BRT degraded the honorable struggle waged by the Turkish Cypriot people by broadcasting the documentary and that the Corporation has been violating the BRT law with its broadcasts.

In a statement last week, the BRT Director Huseyin Gursan said the `Duvarimiz` documentary was broadcast with the aim of pointing to the fact that the Cyprus issue and the difficulties being experienced today had started with the establishment of EOKA and to underline the fact that the hardships that had been faced during those years had disturbed some of the people living on the island.

Reminding that the documentary was shown during various festivals in foreign countries and that it won the Abdi Ipekci Peace and Friendship Award, Mr Gursan said `it is wrong to perceive a sentence voiced by Greek Cypriots in the documentary as being voiced by Turkish Cypriots`.

Referring to criticisms that `Duvarimiz` was a pro-Greek Cypriot documentary, Mr Gursan pointed out that Greek Cypriots have not yet been able to show the courage to broadcast the documentary. Stressing that the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people is still in force because of the continuation of the Cyprus problem, Mr Gursan said `we broadcast the documentary as we believe that everyone should learn the bitter experiences of the past to prevent the repetition of those days in the future`.

Noting that the criticisms being voiced against the documentary was the result of misunderstanding, he said it was wrong to use specific words in the documentary for political purposes.

Referring to calls on him to resign, Mr Gursan said `the fact that the documentary has not yet been broadcast in South Cyprus is a reflection of the fact that our country is more democratic than the administration in the South`, adding that he doesnt intend to resign.

[16] Critical week for Turkey because of the forthcoming presidential elections

This will be the last meeting of the Turkish President, Ahmet Sezer whose term is ending this month. Mr Sezer will make a farewell speech at the War Academy after the todays NSC meeting.

The paper also writes that the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is continuing to take soundings on the issue of his candidacy for the presidential elections and tomorrow he will have a meeting with the chairmen of the local organisations of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). After this, he will visit Germany between the 14-16 of April. Mr Erdogan is expected to announce on the 18th of April, whether he will be a candidate or not for the elections.

(CS)

[17] More DTP officials were arrested by Turkish police

DTP Bursa head taken into custody with 18 others:

Democratic Society Party (DTP) Bursa Chairman Hüseyin Diken and 18 others were taken into custody for shouting slogans praising Abdullah Öcalan, imprisoned head of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), during Nevruz celebrations in Bursa last month.

According to information obtained from the Bursa Police Department, 18 demonstrators including Diken were proved -- with the help of a police camera -- to have shouted slogans praising Öcalan on March 21 in Gökdere Square, where the Nevruz celebrations took place. They were taken into custody on the instructions of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Bursa.

During house raids in the city center carried out by teams from the police's counterterrorism branch, DTP Bursa head Diken, director Nee Y1ld1rak, head of the DTP in the Nilüfer district Harun Y1ld1z and six other members of the party were taken into custody.

Diken, Y1ld1rak, Y1ld1z and the six members caught in the first raid were taken to court for "praising crimes and criminals, shouting slogans praising a terrorist leader and displaying placards.´ The members taken into custody in Yeniehir are still being questioned. A group of DTP members gathered outside the court building after the arrests. Security forces took measures to prevent any incidents.

[18] Gunden newspaper closed down by Istanbul Court

Gündem newspaper censored again:

The leftist Gündem newspaper has been banned again, just one day after restarting publication after a previous ban -- dated March 6, 2007 and issued by the 13th High Criminal Court of Istanbul.

The news stories about the ´Kurdish problem´ published in the paper on April 7 and 8, some ads and some columns caused the paper's 15-day ban, according to the court.

Advertisements published on April 7, marking outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan's birthday, about a hike to Amara village, where he was born, and a commemoration ceremony to be held to celebrate his birthday were among the court's legal justifications to stop the paper's activities for 15 days.

The news published in the paper on the date in question about Öcalan's meetings with his lawyers on the 0mral1 Island, where he is held in solitary detention, was assessed to be propaganda for the PKK/Kongra Gel (an organization related to the PKK).

[19] The breakaway regime launches a tourism campaign in Birmingham

Within the framework of the campaign, placards will be placed in the streets of Birmingham and buses, radios and television stations will be used. Furthermore, brochures about the occupied areas of Cyprus will be sent by mail to 40.000 houses which have been selected beforehand.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot tour operators will meet with people at a stand which will be established in front of Dagenhams in Birmingham and Burling Shopping Mall. Four couples from Birmingham, who will participate in these activities, will be given the opportunity to spend free of charge vacations for a week in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

EG/

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