Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-05-21

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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 Turkish side is intensifying its efforts to legitimize the points of entry into the territories of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops. Statements by Pertev

[02] Ercakica on the planned mass exploitation of the occupied properties of the evicted by the Turkish armed forces European citizens of occupied Morfou

[03] British buyers of occupied Greek Cypriot properties to go ahead with protest despite arrest threats by the occupation authorities

[04] Avci says the decision to hold the symposium for tourism in the Moslem world in the occupied areas is a great success for the lifting of the so-called isolations

[05] The occupied areas have become a transit for drug smuggling

[06] Reports on the issue of the missing persons

[07] Chauvinistic circles organized a march in occupied Morfou; 500 thousand shouted in favour of the TRNC in the rally in Samsun

[08] Graham Watson met Mehmet Ali Talat in the occupied by Turkish troops part of Cyprus

[09] VOLKAN says its reports have been influential for the annulment of the ceremony for Tevkros Anthias

[10] Greek Cypriot houses are being demolished in occupied Rizokarpasso

[11] The self-styled ministry of foreign affairs says that it is the only authority in Pyla

[12] A national radar system was developed by the National Electronics and Cryptology Research Institute (UEKAE) of the Turkish Research Institute (TUBITAK)

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[13] The Turkish press on political developments in Turkey

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish side is intensifying its efforts to legitimize the points of entry into the territories of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops. Statements by Pertev

Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev has announced that the sub-committee of COREPER- the Committee of Permanent Representatives within the European Union- is going to discuss the issue of the Direct Trade Regulation at a meeting to be held on the 22nd of May.

The discussion was earlier scheduled to take place on the 15th, but was later postponed.

Speaking to the BRT, the Presidential Undersecretary stated that the EU term-president Germany is not expected to unveil a hidden card on the issue but that the discussion will only be based on providing information on the developments that have taken place on the Direct Trade Regulation.Mr. Pertev went on to say that it is difficult to predict the outcome of the meeting, as the Turkish Cypriot Side has been following the policies carried out by the EU officials from a distance.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot Side has done everything in its power for the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation, Rasit Pertev said if the meeting results in failure, the Regulation will be transferred onto Portugals agenda which will take over the next EU presidency in June.

However, Germany has a historic responsibility on the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation he added.

Responding to a question on the lobbying activities carried out by the Swedish permanent representative in Brussels, the Presidential Undersecretary referred to this as a positive development.

[02] Ercakica on the planned mass exploitation of the occupied properties of the evicted by the Turkish armed forces European citizens of occupied Morfou

The words by Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat regarding Guzelyurt have caused debates in the Greek Cypriot South. One could read about the debates in last week´s newspapers. As far as I am concerned the Greek Cypriots want two things:

[01] The Turkish Cypriots should take care of the plantations they (Greek Cypriots) left behind until the Cyprus problem is settled and wait for the Greek Cypriots to come back.

[02] The Cyprus problem should not be settled in the near future so the Turkish Cypriot children do not have a chance to get a proper education in proper contemporary schools and in the end will accept the ´Republic of Cyprus´ under the Greek Cypriot Administration.

Right for Development and Property

Every society has the right to develop. Legalists call this the right to live. As a matter of fact in order to be able to live in our world today one has to be in harmony with the contemporary world and in constant search for a better standard. Our capacity to make the most of the natural conditions under these circumstances is limited. Developed societies can better benefit from the natural riches that surround them.

In order for the Turkish Cypriots to continue to exist in Northern Cyprus they need to transform the natural resources that surround them to cover their contemporary needs. This is our basic right.

If the Greek Cypriot side wants to be effective in the process they will have to be ready to find a fast solution to the Cyprus problem. The only way for them to interfere in our affair is through an agreement that gives us the right to interfere in their affairs.

Greek Cypriot motivation

The angle that Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat´s words were taken by the Greek Cypriot Politicians was educational as to what kind of expectations the Greek Cypriot side has and what needs to be done to motivate the Greek Cypriot side to achieve a settlement. While they seem to reject any efforts toward reaching a settlement, they also seem to believe they had the ´right to prevent´ the Turkish Cypriot side from developing. In order to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, they need to be shown and made to understand that this is not the attitude to be taken.

The reaction of the Greek Cypriot politicians against Talat´s comments regarding Guzelyurt have once again proved the importance of the need for the economic and social development of the Turkish Cypriot community. The steps to be taken towards such development of the Turkish Cypriot community would be major influencing factors to get the Greek Cypriot side to take a step towards a comprehensive and fair settlement. The importance of the lifting of the isolations on Northern Cyprus during a settlement process and the role it could take has once again been confirmed.

In order for the Greek Cypriot side to be motivated towards a settlement, the international relations of the Turkish Cypriots need to be developed and the economic and social progress needs to be maintained.

Property Issue being exploited

The debates regarding Guzelyurt have revealed another reality. While the Greek Cypriot side is trying to prevent the Cyprus problem from being settled, they are trying to exploit issues rising from the continuation of the unsolved problem. The ´Property Issue´ of the Greek Cypriot side is the best example of the exploitation and they are trying to turn it into a daily political issue. This is what has been going on regarding the July 8 Process. The Greek Cypriot side is trying to make the Property Issue a matter of propaganda thus preventing the Process from progressing.

While the Cyprus Problem is on hold without a settlement and the Turkish Cypriots are made to pay for the lack of a settlement in several ways, it is surely impossible to settle the problems of only the Greek Cypriots that arise from this situation. The Property Issue is one of such problems.

As long as the Greek Cypriot side prevents a settlement from being achieved, it is impossible for the Turkish Cypriot side to sit in their corner without trying to take the necessary steps for both economic and social development.

[03] British buyers of occupied Greek Cypriot properties to go ahead with protest despite arrest threats by the occupation authorities

Angry British residents in North Cyprus say they are prepared to risk jail by mounting a banned demonstration on Monday to press their demands for a crackdown on rogue lawyers, developers, builders and estate agents.

An offer of talks with Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer about property-related issues on condition that the demonstration was cancelled was flatly rejected by protest organiser Marian Stokes of the Homebuyers´ Pressure Group (HBPG) on Thursday. I said I would be very pleased to meet Mr Soyer at any time to discuss the growing problems of people trying to buy homes here, but there was no way I would cancel the demonstrations, she said. We called off such a demonstration in December after receiving promises of meaningful talks, but nothing happened as a result. We won´t make the same mistake a second time.

Police have told Ms Stokes that demonstrators face arrest and possible imprisonment if the planned 10-hour demonstration, scheduled to begin at 10am on Monday outside Parliament in Lefkosia, goes ahead. They said foreigners and most HPBG members are British were not granted permits for demonstrations and we would therefore be breaking the law if we went ahead, said Ms Stokes.

It is quite possible, though, that one of the Turkish Cypriot groups supporting us will make a permit application and we will then join them.

If British protesters are arrested, so be it. It will be an infringement of human rights creating TV news and headlines that will expose the corrupt state of the TRNC´s construction industry to a worldwide audience. It would bring universal condemnation of the government.

When we had our initial HBPG meeting with the then prime minister in November 2005 he said he would be very interested to hear of any specific instances of discrimination against foreigners. Is the fact that we are not allowed a peaceful demonstration in the TRNC not official discrimination of the most blatant kind?

A SENIOR government official confirmed yesterday that, under TRNC law, non-citizens were not allowed to stage demonstrations and could be arrested if they did so.

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer´s spokesman, Ahmet Muratoglu, was asked whether he did not consider this a double-standard and undemocratic, emerging days after 200 Turkish Cypriots went all the way to Brussels and protested outside the European Union without hindrance. He commented: I´m not saying that the law is right or wrong. It was made years ago and we have to abide by it.

However, if people demand that this law be changed, the relevant departments will look into it and, if they judge it appropriate, they will amend it.

British High Commission spokesman Nigel Boud said yesterday: "We are well aware of the issues which are of concern to the Homebuyers´ Pressure Group. If any British nationals are arrested they will, of course, be offered consular support. We will be monitoring the situation.

On the problems the buyers are protesting for Turkish Cypriot Cyprus Times newspaper (19.05.07) reports the following:

Some of the problems faced by buyers, many retired, include:

1. Missing funds amounting to millions of pounds 2. Laws being ignored by lawyers and builders 3. Double and triple selling 4. Properties half built

5. Properties built with no electric and water 6. Properties sold off-plan and never built 7. Properties paid for in full nothing built 8. Stage payments paid no property 9. Property but no deeds 10. Property built on Government and disputed land 11. Misrepresentation 12. Buyers ignored when complaints made 13. Living conditions 3rd world and detrimental to health 14. Buyers living in fear because of threats and intimidation by builders 15. Life savings drained.

[04] Avci says the decision to hold the symposium for tourism in the Moslem world in the occupied areas is a great success for the lifting of the so-called isolations

Mr Avci said: The final conclusion of the Islamic Conference Organization stressed that a possible solution in Cyprus should be based on the political equality of the sides and a bi-zonal, bi-communal structure which will be composed of two founding states. The final conclusion is a very important document and point of reference in that it stresses the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots on the basis of two states.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (21.05.07) covers Avcis statements under the title The successes achieved by our openings will be seen soon.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (21.05.07) covers the issue under the title The Tourism Symposium in the Moslem World will be held in the TRNC. The paper reports that Avci said: The decision for the conduction of the symposium for tourism in the Moslem world in our country must be accepted as a great success from the point of view of the breaking of the unjust isolations.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The occupied areas have become a transit for drug smuggling

Some kinds of narcotics are also taken from the free to the occupied areas of the island, but the ratio is 90 % to 10 % (that is, 90 % of the drugs are transferred from the occupied to the free areas).

(I/Ts.)

[06] Reports on the issue of the missing persons

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (21.05.07) reports that the remains of 260 out of about 2.000 missing persons have been found. It is established that 60 of them are Turkish Cypriots. It is expected that the excavations will be completed within five years, according to the paper which invokes information by the illegal TAK news agency.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily STAR KIBRIS newspaper (21.05.07) refers to the issue under the title The remains of 260 missing persons have been found.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Chauvinistic circles organized a march in occupied Morfou; 500 thousand shouted in favour of the TRNC in the rally in Samsun

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (21.05.07) reports that in the rally which took place yesterday in Samsun with the participation of 500 thousand persons, a 50-meter-long TRNC flag was carried. According to the paper, slogans such as TRNC you are not alone, The TRNC is our pride and The TRNC cannot be sold were shouted in the rally in Samsun.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Graham Watson met Mehmet Ali Talat in the occupied by Turkish troops part of Cyprus

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Grouping in the European Parliament Graham Watson is in Cyprus for contacts on both sides of the island was received by President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday evening.

Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Watson expressed his pleasure to host President Mehmet Ali Talat at the conference which was organized by the Liberal Democrat Group the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament.

He said the conference was very fruitful for understanding better the Cyprus issue, as to how both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriots can benefit from EU as well as for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. Watson also reiterated his political groupings support towards helping find a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

For his part President Talat once more underlined the need for the removal of the unjust international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people. Explaining that the conference he attended at the European Parliament allowed the Turkish Cypriots voice to be heard, the President noted that Mr. Watsons visit to Cyprus was important as it created an opportunity for him to witness the realities and the division on the island for himself.

We are working for a solution to the Cyprus Problem. Both peoples on the island feel the negative impact of the ongoing division on the island," said Mr. Talat, pointing out that a great opportunity for a solution was missed 3 years ago when the Greek Cypriot Side rejected the Annan Plan during April 2004 referendum.

The President added that despite everything, the Turkish Cypriot peoples will towards achieving a settlement continued but underlined the urgent need for the removal of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

[09] VOLKAN says its reports have been influential for the annulment of the ceremony for Tevkros Anthias

(I/Ts.)

[10] Greek Cypriot houses are being demolished in occupied Rizokarpasso

The YKP noted that a new process is taking place during which the Greek Cypriot houses in Rizokarpasso are being demolished under the name of restoration in an operation which started with the aid of the Turkish army. The party stressed that this should stop immediately.

(I/Ts.)

[11] The self-styled ministry of foreign affairs says that it is the only authority in Pyla

He said that there are two heads of the village in Pyla and that the one of them is bound to the Larnaka District officer and the other to the occupied Famagusta district officer.

Nejdet Ermetal, the Turkish Cypriot head of Pyla, said that he was elected with the vote of the 480 Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of the village and that he is recognized by everybody except for the authorities of the TRNC.

(I/Ts)

[12] A national radar system was developed by the National Electronics and Cryptology Research Institute (UEKAE) of the Turkish Research Institute (TUBITAK)

The paper reports that the UEKAE has developed three radars for the Coast Guard Command. It claims that two of the radars will be used for the security of Turkey. The new radars can identify low flying objects, and they are designed in such a way that enemy radars cannot identify their location. HURRIYET reports that the radars will be deployed first along the Aegean Coast and for the first time thanks to these radars Turkey will have domination of the surface in the Aegean. The paper reports that the national radar can identify a ten- meter object 45 kilometres away.

The next project is to deploy these radars on ships, and thus giving the chance to the ships to follow the other sides movements without being noticed.

(MHY)

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[13] The Turkish press on political developments in Turkey

Istanbul VATAN newspaper (19.05.07) reports that in its latest report on Turkey, Citi Group cautioned international investors to be ready for a four-party parliament in Turkey in the wake of the 22 July elections. According to the report, the AKP, the CHP-DSP [Republican People's Party-Democratic Left Party] alliance, the Democratic Party, and the MHP [Nationalist Action Party]" are expected to overcome the 10-percent election threshold, while the next government will be a coalition. The report also predicts that the undecided, who currently make up 16.9 percent of the voters, will determine the outcome of the elections.

Commenting on the possible political tableau in the wake of the 22 July elections, Ilter Turkmen expresses concern that Turkey will "once again face a political impasse and societal polarization, whether the president is elected by the parliament or through popular vote." If the constitutional amendment is not effected in time, Turkmen explains in his column in Istanbul HURRIYET (19.05.07) any compromise that might be reached in the parliament is likely to produce an ineffectual and passive president. On the one hand, Turkmen suggests, "individual symbols and behaviour that are perceived as challenges to secularism lie at the root of the problem in Turkey," while, on the other, some of the slogans chanted at the Republic Rallies were "surprising." Turkmen criticizes, in particular, the slogan 'Neither the United States, nor the EU; we want an independent Turkey.' He questions why independence is shown as an alternative to relations with the United States or EU accession, both of which are the preferences of a sovereign Turkey, unless, he adds, "we view independence as total isolation and defiance of the entire world."

In his column in MILLIYET (20.05.07), Fikret Bila assesses the legal obstacles to Republican People's Party leader Deniz Baykal and Democratic Left Party Zeki Sezer participating in election campaign activities together. According to Article 90 of the Political Parties Law, political parties are banned from supporting another party in the elections. Based on this law, DSP leader Sezer is still considering whether to attend the Republic Rallies together with Baykal. Some believe that there are drawbacks to their appearing together in these gatherings, whereas others express the view that since the DSP is not participating in the elections, it will be Baykal and not Sezer who will be conducting the election propaganda activities and that, therefore, their appearance together cannot constitute a problem.

In an article in HURRIYET (20.05.07) Emil Colasan, commenting on Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks regarding the CHP-DSP alliance as "forty rotten eggs do not add up to a single good one," writes that the issue of rotten and good eggs will only be apparent after the elections. The writer criticizes the government for its blitz constitutional amendments saying that this AKP claim of resorting to the people is actually not sincere because even the candidates are actually not elected by the AKP members. Noting that the candidates are chosen by Erdogan and a few of his colleagues behind closed doors, Colasan questions why the AKP did not propose these constitutional amendments soon after it came to power instead of resorting to them in the aftermath of its failure to have its presidential candidate elected.

Assessing the economic conditions in Turkey in an article in ORTADOGU (20.05.07), Mehmet Celebi questions how the AKP has the audacity to ask for another term in power. Criticizing what the government calls stability as the exploitation of the people, the writer says that 80 percent of the stock market is in the hands of Jews, the British, and the Greeks. Accusing the government of selling Cyprus, the Turkomans, and the motherland, the writer condemns the government for co-chairing projects with what it calls "murderer USA."

In an article entitled "Neutral observations by a common citizen" in daily, ZAMAN (20.05.07) columnist A. Turan Alkan criticizes Prime Minister Erdogan for his "not-at-all graceful" reference to the opposition parties that have established election alliances as "rotten eggs" and cites Erdogan's remarks as an illustration of the way politicians tend to lose self-control when addressing large crowds. Alkan argues that the onus is on Erdogan to issue reassuring messages to public sections that believe "rightly or wrongly" that their [secular] lifestyles are in danger of being changed, adding that adopting an "offensive" attitude towards the opposition like this might serve to decrease public sympathy for the Government that has "soared" thanks to the "painstaking efforts of Mr Baykal and his bureaucratic allies."

In a commentary in ZAMAN (20.05.07) entitled "A guide for protecting democracy from the military", Umit Kardas, a retired military justice, accuses the releasers of the recent military "memorandum" of "committing the crime of obstructing the TBMM [Turkish Grand National Assembly] from carrying out its duties in part or in whole by threatening to use force" and argues that this crime entails a severe life sentence under Article 311 of the Turkish Penal Code.

In an article in MILLI GAZETE (20.05.07) under the title: "Mr Tayyip cannot use the term 'rotten eggs'" as long as he does not repent" columnist Suleyman Arif Emre claims that "rotten eggs" is a metaphor used by the National View community to refer to "materialistic parties that idolize money" and that if Erdogan is sincere in using this term, he should "repent of what he did and rejoin the National View ranks." He goes on to explain in what sense the ruling AKP's economic, social, and foreign policies deserve to be classified as "rotten."

EG/

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