Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-07-25

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Soyer calls on the Turkish Cypriots not to sell their properties in the government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[02] Ercakica says that they do not have differences with the Turkish army on the fundamental principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem

[03] Usar announces that the illegal airport in Lefkoniko will open soon

[04] The Association of Turkish Cypriots Abroad demands the recognition of the breakaway regime

[05] A delegation from the Sustainable Environment Platform with Talat

[06] Ertugruloglu says that he is confident that the newly elected members of the TGNA will defend the national cause

[07] Six scenarios for the presidential elections

[08] DTP announces its readiness to work with AKP

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[09] The new AKP administration agenda

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Soyer calls on the Turkish Cypriots not to sell their properties in the government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Mr Soyer referred to the problems which the Turkish Cypriots who abandoned property in the free areas of the Republic face because of the fact that the breakaway regime could not give them property in the occupied areas according to the equivalent property point system, which is introduced by the regime for the distribution of the occupied Greek Cypriot properties.

Mr Soyer noted that while people who possess five billion points have not yet taken any property in the occupied areas, the breakaway regime possesses property the worth of which is only 562 million points. We are trying to take measures on this issue, he said.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (25.07.07) refers to the issue under the banner front-page title They have eaten up northern Cyprus. The paper reports that Mr Soyer informed the inhabitants of Piyi village about the so-called Property Compensation Commission and said that 202 Greek Cypriots applied until now to this commission. He argued that this commission is accepted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

This is an issue which will lead the Cyprus question to a solution, he alleged and claimed that this is one of the reasons for which President Papadopoulos asked the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat to meet him. He alleged that other reasons for this invitation is the pressure exerted by the world and the Greek Cypriot people because of the forthcoming presidential elections.

Mr Soyer referred also to the two Italian parliamentarians who asked for the citizenship of the breakaway regime and said that this is a result of the will shown by the Turkish Cypriots at the 24 April 2004 referendum.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ercakica says that they do not have differences with the Turkish army on the fundamental principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem

Replying to a question during his weekly briefing, Mr Ercakica said that they have no different views with the military authorities on the issue of the opening of the crossing point in the Ledra Street area. He referred to the recent announcement of Turkeys National Security Council and noted: Even if there are problems with the military authorities from time to time, I do not expect this to influence the foreign policy and the Cyprus problem.

He argued that the parameters for the solution of the Cyprus problem are known and that these parameters are in the Annan Plan. He alleged that the expectations of the Greek Cypriots which are outside of this plan increase the tension on the island. Mr Ercakica argued that it is wrong to relate Turkeys EU accession course with the Cyprus problem and noted that this will be in no ones interest.

He alleged that the Turkish side will continue the policy of being one step ahead in the Cyprus problem and added that the next step will be made in the direction of securing a result in the meeting of the two leaders.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Usar announces that the illegal airport in Lefkoniko will open soon

The paper notes that there are thoughts towards the direction of opening illegal Lefkoniko airport for charter flights. Mr Usar made the statements during a visit to the occupied Piyi village together with the self-styled prime minister, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Association of Turkish Cypriots Abroad demands the recognition of the breakaway regime

In statements to the paper, Kerem Hasan and Emcet Tas, chairmen of ATCA in Britain and the USA respectively, said, inter alia, the following:

We believe that in any solution plan for the Cyprus problem, the political equality should definitely be given to the Turkish Cypriots. As ATCA we support that the TRNC must be recognised and that we are a people as equal and sovereign as the Greek Cypriots.

The officials briefed the paper on their activities. They noted that they prepared a documentary film which was shown in Melbourne, they replied to many publications against the Turkish Cypriots and they sent three letters to the former British Prime Minster Blair, who replying to the third letter said that the problems of the Turkish Cypriots derive from the fact that northern Cyprus is not recognised.

The paper reports also that on Sunday 22nd of July, ACTA organized an activity in front of the embassy of Turkey to London in order to express its gratitude for the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. The participants in the activity asked for the lifting of the embargo, and held placards thanking the Turkish army for its invasion and demanding the recognition of the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the island.

Atalay Ersan and Serra Kaleli, permanent undersecretaries at the Turkish embassy to London were among the participants in the activity. In their statements they argued that in spite of their yes vote in the referendum, the Turkish Cypriots gained nothing.

(I/Ts.)

[05] A delegation from the Sustainable Environment Platform with Talat

They said that they have about forty thousand members and asked from Mr Talat to show sensitivity for an issue on which so many people agree. Mr Talat reminded that when he was acting minister of agriculture in 1995 the area was declared protected site and argued that if the sensitivities were not taken into consideration, that area would not remain virgin until now.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ertugruloglu says that he is confident that the newly elected members of the TGNA will defend the national cause

In statements during his weekly press conference, Mr Ertugruloglu reiterated his position that they were not able to gain anything from the policy of the lifting of the isolations and that they should struggle for the recognition of the TRNC, breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, which should be a side with its status in a possible agreement of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the results of the elections in Turkey, he said that the UBP keeps equal distance between all the political parties in the mother land and noted that it is the party which defends more than any other political power that there should be strong and close relations with Turkey. He also reiterated his views for the necessity of the holding of early elections in the occupied areas.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Six scenarios for the presidential elections

Gul is still a candidate but at the Ankaras backstage very different scenarios are under discussion. These scenarios are:

Gul is a candidate again: Since the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) is against Guls candidacy, the key party for Guls election to the presidential post will be the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) of Devlet Bahceli. The paper writes that the general secretary of MHP Cihan Pacasi stated that the partys organs will decide whatever MHP will support Gul or some other candidate.

A candidate who has a wife that wears the turban: The paper writes that if Guls candidacy is withdrawn, Erdogan may suggest another AKP deputy for the presidents post whose wife of who covers her hair. The paper writes that the MHP does not put the condition that the wife of the next president should not cover her hair.

A candidate who has a wife that does not wears the turban: Erdogan will suggest a person that has a wife who does not cover her hair. In this case the names of AKP deputies, Mehmet Aydin, Besir Atalay, Koksal Toptan and Vecdi Gonul are taken under consideration.

Erdogan will be a candidate: There is a very small possibility that Erdogan will be a candidate for the post of the president, since neither CHP nor MHP will support his candidacy.

A woman candidate: The AKP believes that the probability that CHP and the MHP will support a woman candidate is very high. Even before the 22 of July this formula was under discussion and the name of the State Minister Nimet Cubukcu was suggested.

A candidate who will not be deputy of the Assembly: The paper writes that this is least favourable choice.

(CS)

[08] DTP announces its readiness to work with AKP

Selahattin Demirtas, the Democratic Society Party (DTP) backed independent parliamentary deputy for Diyarbakir said they were ready to talk with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) regarding the presidential elections.

Demirtas spoke to NTV about how the DTP-backed independents would act from now on.

Independent Parliamentary Deputy for Diyarbakir Selahattin Demirtas said that independent deputies would play a key role in parliamentary work.

Stating that the AKP did not have enough seats to choose the next president Demirtas said: 'We are going to be needed not just for the presidential elections but for all kinds of work in Parliament. We are open to all offers for talks during the process to choose the next president.'

Stating that the characteristics of the next president were also of importance to them Demirtas said: 'The next president's perspective on democracy, freedom and human rights is every important.'

When reminded that the number of DTP-backed independents at 23 was less than they had hoped for Demirtas said they were disputing the results from Adana and Mersin and that independents would win in those constituencies as well.

Furthermore, Turkish daily TURKISH DAILY NEWS newspaper (24.07.07) publishes the names of the DTP independent deputies and the provinces elected. These are as follows:

Sabahattin Sugvac1 (Hakkari), Hamit Geylani (Hakkari), Sebahat Tuncel (Istanbul third district), Ahmet Turk (Mardin), Emine Ayna (Mardin), Sirri Sakik (Mus), M. Nuri Yaman (Mus), 0brahim Binici (Sanliurfa), Fatma Kurtulan (Van), Ozdal Ucer (Van), Sevahir Bayindir (Sirnak), Hasip Kaplan (Sirnak), Mehmet Nezir Karabas (Bitlis), Gultan Kisanak, Akin Birdal (Diyarbakir), Selahattin Demirtas (Diyarbak1r), Aysel Tugluk (Diyarbakir), Orhan Miroglu (Mersin), Osman Ozcelik (Siirt), Serafettin Halis (Tunceli), Ayla Akat Ata (Batman), Bengi Yildiz (Batman), Pervin Buldan (Igdir).

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[09] The new AKP administration agenda

After a resounding victory in the general elections, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) will face the vast spectrum of domestic and foreign policy issues in its upcoming reign.

Subtitle: Fight against terrorism:

The government will be forced to take additional measures in the fight against terrorism especially after the two marginal parties, namely the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), secured seats in the new Parliament.

In the pre-election period, the government intensified efforts to fight terrorism: A number of committees were set up after the deadly attacks by outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in southeastern Anatolia. The AKP is expected to implement a new roadmap based upon committee studies in order to tackle the terror problem as its number one item on the agenda.

Defying an increasing campaign at home for a cross-border offensive into northern Iraq to crack down on the PKK bases, the government is very likely to place priority on diplomacy, instead of a military operation.

"Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's planned visit to Turkey will be a visible sign in the direction of the government's willingness to eradicate terrorism through dialogue and without harming bilateral ties with both the Iraqi government and its NATO ally, the United States," said Sedat Laciner, an eminent Turkish expert on terrorism.

Subtitle: AKP-military ties:

Barring any extreme conflicts of interest, like the escalated tension in the undecided presidential election when the government insisted on a candidate whose wife wears a headscarf without seeking a compromise nominee, ties between the government and military look to be bright.

The relations between the government and military froze in April when the latter posted a terse midnight memorandum after Parliament's failure to elect a president. 'In order to secure friendly ties with the military, the government and the prime minister should never see the overwhelming election victory as a response to the military's e-memorandum,' according to Laciner.

But former Parliament speaker Bulent Arinc, in his first speech immediately following the AKP's triumph, said the election results were a reflection of the populace's reaction to the military's meddling. 'This is the answer of the public,' he said. Such announcements are not expected to have a positive impact on bilateral relations.

Subtitle: Progress in EU ties:

Turkey's bid to join the European Union is expected to gain momentum under the reign of the AKP following one year stagnation in ties, overshadowed by the elections. The recently elected government promised to be more aggressive in their EU aspirations and take charge of the negotiations. The prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stuck with his trademark "No stopping, stay the course" in his enthusiastic outlook toward EU membership.

'The government, with its newly gained majority in Parliament, will work toward getting the EU ascension talks back on track,' said Ilter Turan, a political scientist. He said the government could consider appointing a single name for the position of chief negotiator after seen the taxing effects on Ali Babacan who held both the post of economy minister and EU negotiator.

In order to overcome the French-German axis, the government will need to be patient, according to Turan. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, an outspoken opponent of Turkish membership, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, proposing privileged partnership for Ankara, are expected to define Europe's borders at the December summit, dashing Turkey's hopes for full membership.

'Turkey needs to do its share and press ahead with EU-inspired reforms,' Turan said.

On the other hand, as the pre- election excitement dies down among the Turkish and EU public, communication between the two sides becomes the primary concern. The government understands that for EU talks to go through smoothly the public on both sides must be won over.

"The AKP will have to revise communication strategies both at home and in Europe to win over the public of the two sides," according to Can Baydarol, an EU specialist.

Subtitle: Armenian claims:

The allegations of Armenian genocide will be another sore point for the Turkish government. According to Omer Luthem, a retired ambassador, Turkey needs to organize seminars abroad to introduce foreign populations with their side of the argument. The administration should also take a hard stance against countries that pass genocide resolutions and actively involve themselves in efforts for a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Subtitle: EU-backed reforms:

The government is expected to take symbolic steps to abolish the infamous Article 301 of the Turkish penal code and pass a full-fledged foundations law. AKP officials plan to do this ahead of the release of the European Commission's progress report in the fall to see its positive reflections amid increasing calls from Brussels urging Ankara to make a new push on the reforms required for membership.

Subtitle: Civilian Constitution:

In its election manifesto, the AKP promised a brief and civilian Constitution, removing all undemocratic elements imposed by the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup. The new Constitution will be democratic, based upon full consensus and give room to freedoms. With a new presidential model, the AKP is planning to restrict the presidential authority, while broadening the authority of the prime minister.

/ES

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