Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-08-06

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish ships are carrying out research in the Eastern Mediterranean

[02] The EU office in Cyprus has tasked its three experts to prepare a report as regards drawing electricity line to the occupied Karpass peninsula

[03] Delegation of the illegal Assembly is holding contacts in Germany

[04] Soyer stated that the occupation regime will improve its economy in cooperation with Turkey

[05] Students from the so-called Kyrenia American University took part in the European Hospitality Skills Competition held in London 11-17 July

[06] Appointments in the Turkish army after the regular August meeting of the Supreme Military Council

[07] Turkish commando units cross Iraqi border

[08] The new Turkish Parliament convened on Saturday. Erdogan to form the new government

[09] Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kamynin: Russia is planning new energy investments in the TRNC

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish ships are carrying out research in the Eastern Mediterranean

Scientific research ship "Yunus S" --which had arrived in the Turkish southern Iskenderun Port for researches on the coasts of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt-- completed its activities and left the port on Sunday.

Yunus S examined changing sea life conditions in the Mediterranean, and left for Latakia city of Syria.

Prof. Bayram Ozturk from Istanbul University told A.A that the Mediterranean has significantly changed in the last 20 years due to climate change, adding that 59 new species came from Red Sea to Mediterranean.

"We are trying to examine the exact changes in the ecosystem of the Mediterranean. We have to define the poisonous ones of new species and let Mediterranean littoral countries know about them," he added.

Ozturk said that they will also work together with Syrian scientists in Latakia for 3-4 days, and then proceed to Lebanon and Egypt.

Ankara ANATOLIA (05.08.07) reported the following also from Iskenderun:

Efforts to prospect natural gas continue 10 miles off Karatas town of Turkish Mediterranean city of Adana.

The vessel "Pehlivan 2" --belonging to a private company-- continues to prospect natural gas off Iskenderun port of Adana.

Italian Fugro Oceansismica, one of the world's most important drilling companies, pursues the activities for Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). Many Italian, Turkish, British and Indian experts are taking part in the efforts.

Following the scientific tests, experts will determine whether there is natural gas or not in the region. If the results emerge positive, TPAO will start drilling.

"Pehlivan 2" prospected oil in the region between Iskenderun Port and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) last month.

[02] The EU office in Cyprus has tasked its three experts to prepare a report as regards drawing electricity line to the occupied Karpass peninsula

In another report, the same paper writes that today is going to be made the ruling, regarding the injunction order filed by the environmentalist organizations in the so-called supreme administrative court in order to stop drawing energy lines to the Cape Apostolos Andreas area in the Turkish occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus. If the so-called court decides in favor of the injunction order then all the work in the area will be stopped and no tenders will be opened until a decision is made regarding the case.

(MHY)

[03] Delegation of the illegal Assembly is holding contacts in Germany

Parliament Speaker Fatma Ekenoglu of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) participated in a luncheon hosted in her honor by Turkey's Consul General in Munich Abdurrahman Bilgic.

Ekenoglu is actually paying a visit to German city of Waldkirchen upon an invitation of Mayor Josef Hoeppler.

During the luncheon, Ekenoglu welcomed German government's decision to end isolation of TRNC, and said, "I hope the EU will also adopt a similar decision."

Recalling that the EU has prepared three regulations, including Green Line Regulation, Financial Assistance Regulation and Direct Trade Regulation, Ekenoglu said, "direct trade and flights are of vital importance for us. Six universities in TRNC contribute to our economic development. The Greek Cypriots are trying to put obstacle before us in area of education. They are trying to prevent us from joining 2010 Bologna process and Erasmus program."

Members of TRNC Parliament will play a friendly soccer match with executives of Waldkirchen Municipality on Sunday.

Illegal Bayrak television (04.08.07) broadcast the following on the issue:

The TRNC parliamentary delegation headed by the Speaker of the Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu is continuing its contacts in the German town of Waldkirchen.The parliamentary delegation consist of 22 deputies is in the city to attend the Sports and Cultural Activities Festival organized by the Waldkirchen Municipality.The delegation first met with the Mayor of Waldkirchen and then attended a lunch given in their honor by the Turkish Ambassador to Munich Abdurrahman Bilgic.

As part of its contacts the delegation met with the Mayor of Waldkirchen Joseph Hoppler.

During the meeting, the Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenogluthanked German parliamentarians for their support in efforts to lift the international isolations on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and expressed her wish that this support will be extended within the European Union.For his part, the Mayor Waldkirchen Joseph Hoppler said he invited the TRNC delegation to Germany due to the great hospitality he was given during his visit to the TRNC.

The TRNC delegation also attended a lunch given in their honor by the Turkish Ambassador to Munich Abdurrahman Bilgic.

Speaking there, the Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu expressed her satisfaction over the decision taken by the German government in June to end the international isolations on the TRNC.

She also expressed the hope that the European Union will also take a similar decision.Reminding that the EU has prepared three separate regulations - the Green Line Regulation, Financial Aid Regulation and the Direct Trade Regulation- Mrs Ekenoglu said that foreign trade and direct flights are vital for the TRNC.Noting that there are 6 universities in the country which contribute to the economic development, she said accused the Greek Cypriot Side of trying to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from entering the Bologna process and the Erasmus program.

Also speaking, the second Mayor of Waldkirchen Franz Brunner expressed his wish for the removal of the international isolations on the Turkish Cypriot People and for the continuation of contacts between his city and the TRNC.

Tomorrow, the delegation will play a football match which was organized as part of the Sports and Cultural Activities Festival.

[04] Soyer stated that the occupation regime will improve its economy in cooperation with Turkey

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus remains committed to institutionalizing and improving its economy in cooperation with Turkey. He said that developing the tourism and education industries will be given priority within this framework. On the Cyprus problem, the Prime Minister said the issue was a national cause for both Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and was of great importance to the region as well.

The Prime Minister who is in Istanbul was speaking on ATV Channels morning news program where he evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem as well as relations with Turkey. The Premier said steps to further strengthen relations between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey will continue to be taken, adding that strengthening the TRNC institutions and economy, as well as achieving a lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus Problem under the UN umbrella were among the TRNCs top priorities.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot People was determined to continue its struggle in all fields to ensure that the international community fulfills its promises made prior to the Annan Plan referendum, Mr. Soyer said it was the Turkish Cypriot peoples right to have direct trade, direct flights and to be able to participate in international social and cultural activities.

The Prime Minister also stressed that new initiatives will be launched to remove the embargoes and international isolation on the Turkish Cypriot people. Pointing out that developing tourism was just as important as education for improving the TRNCs economy; he said the TRNC failed to attract the desired number of tourists because of lack of direct flights, which increase costs for them.

Referring to the recent campaigns organized abroad for the promotion of North Cyprus, the Prime Minister said various difficulties had been experienced due to counter-campaigns pursued by the Greek Cypriot Side. Underlining the importance of improving education and tourism sectors in the country, he said this was the only way to suppress the Greek Cypriot Sides preventative efforts.

Also touching upon the water shortages faced in the Republic, Prime Minister Soyer drew attention to the fact that water problems faced in the TRNC were chronic and that work was being carried out to create alternative supplies.

On the Cyprus Issue, the Prime Minister said that the Cyprus Issue was a national cause for both Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and was of great importance to the region as well. The Prime Minister said that both Turkey and the TRNC will remain committed to the goal of EU accession as the Turkish nation deserves European values and principles. Prime Minister Soyer is expected to return to the Republic tonight following the completion of his contacts in Istanbul.

[05] Students from the so-called Kyrenia American University took part in the European Hospitality Skills Competition held in London 11-17 July

(MHY)

[06] Appointments in the Turkish army after the regular August meeting of the Supreme Military Council

Admiral Muzaffer Metin Atac, who is currently the Fleet Commander, has been appointed as Naval Forces Commander, while Gen. Aydogan Babaoglu, the Commander of War Colleges, has been appointed as Air Forces Commander, according to decisions made at the regular August meeting of the Supreme Military Council (YAS).

Admiral Atac and General Babaoglu will replace Admiral Yener Karahanoglu and General Faruk Comert, who will retire on August 30th, 2007. General Yasar Buyukanit, the Chief of General Staff; Land Forces Commander General Ilker Basbug and Gendarme General Commander General Isik Kosaner will continue to be in these positions for one more year, according to YAS decisions.

On the other hand, thirteen members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) were expelled from the TSK for their undisciplined behaviors that harm TSK's prestige, and 10 others were expelled for their "fundamentalist stance and behaviors".

[07] Turkish commando units cross Iraqi border

A Turkish commando unit crossed the Iraqi border and was deployed in the Kurdish-controlled region, a Kurdish media report said yesterday. Army commandos are seen at the Eirdir commando training center in the southern city of Isparta in June. An Iraqi Kurdish report said yesterday a 350-strong commando unit crossed into Iraq.

The 350-strong commando unit was deployed in the Sere Seve region of northern Iraq and is now in control of several strategic points, a report in PUK media said. The Internet portal is affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. There has been no confirmation of the report by Turkish officials. According to PUK media, the commando unit's move across the border came following intense shelling of the border area by Turkish forces. It said the shelling began on Saturday night, hours after the new Turkish Parliament was sworn in during a marathon session. The report said the move appeared to be a first step in a cross-border operation into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq by Turkish forces.

Turkey has long threatened to launch a cross-border operation to hit bases of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq. Speculation mounts that such an operation might take place soon given that parliamentary elections have been completed. Last week, analysts and officials said plans to launch a joint Turkish-US operation against the PKK camps in northern Iraq had collapsed after they were leaked to the press by certain senators that have reservations about such a move. Tens of thousands of troops have recently been deployed in a border region, but the military said it was a routine measure to prevent the infiltration of PKK terrorists across the Iraqi border.

PUK media said the regions of Zaho and Diyana near the border were subject to Turkish bombardment and claimed a Christian village in the area had been hit by at least 30 mortars. There was no report of casualties; however, and local residents were reported to be fleeing the region. Another mountainous region near the Iran-Iraq-Turkey border was also under bombardment, according to the report.

Meanwhile, a separate report in the US media claims that Rahman Haj-Ahmadi, head of the anti-Iranian Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PEJAK), who is believed to be linked to the PKK, has appealed for US political and military support for PEJAK's campaign to topple Iran's Islamic regime. In his first visit to Washington, Haj-Ahmadi, said that the Iranian regime faced a growing internal challenge to its power from the Kurds, Azerbaijanis and other restive minority groups, according to the article in The Washington Times. "We certainly would not take to the mountains and live such a difficult existence if the regime allowed us to pursue our struggle politically," Haj-Ahmadi, who spoke through an interpreter, was quoted as saying.

He also said that PEJAK has only limited contact with the US government, but he appealed to Washington to push Iran harder on its human rights record and said his party would welcome American military and financial aid to carry on its fight, according to the article, re-cycled at http://wpherald.com. "We obviously cannot topple the government with the ammunition and the weapons we have now. Any financial or military help that would speed the path to a true Iranian democracy, we would very much welcome, particularly from the United States," he was quoted as adding.

Noting that the PKK is officially designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department, the article also gave place to remarks by Chris Zambelis, a terrorism analyst with the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation, who said there are multiple reports of operational and logistical links between the PKK and PEJAK. Last month, in remarks to Today's Zaman, US Embassy Press Attaché Kathryn Schalow stressed that Washington considered both the PKK and its offshoot PEJAK to be terrorist organizations, saying the US would not become involved in any kind of contact or relationship with terrorists.

[08] The new Turkish Parliament convened on Saturday. Erdogan to form the new government

13 Democratic Left Party (DSP) MPs who ran on Republican People's Party (CHP) ticket in the July 22nd parliamentary elections, left CHP on Friday.

Thus, the number of CHP seats in the parliament dropped to 99.

Responding to a question, Denizli MP Hasan Ercelebi said they would take oath as DSP MPs, stating that their resignation was not a surprise.

Below is a table showing the distribution of seats in the parliament after 13 MPs resigned from Republican People's Party (CHP) on Friday.

Justice and Development (AK) Party: 341

Republican People's Party (CHP): 99

Nationalist Action Party (MHP): 70

Democratic Society Party (DTP): 20

Democratic Left Party (DSP): 13

Independent: 6

Vacant: 1

Total: 550

On the same issue, Ankara ANATOLIA news agency (05.08.07) reports the following from Ankara:

The oath taking ceremony of the new MPs lasted more than ten hours.

The General Assembly meeting began at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and ended at 1.20 a.m. on Sunday.

548 deputies took their oath in the ceremony chaired by Sukru Elekdag, an MP from the Republican People's Party.

Elekdag presided the meeting as he was the oldest member of the parliament.

One MP from the Justice and Development (AK) Party, Hayati Yazici, could not attend the ceremony due to some personal issues, and he will take his oath in the first session he attends.

Now, MPs are expected to declare their candidacies for the parliament speaker's office. They can apply till midnight on August 8th (Wednesday).

The parliament will convene at 3:00 p.m. [1200 GMT] on August 9th (Thursday) for the first round of parliament speaker election.

Furthermore, HURRIYET newspaper (06.08.07) reports in one of its front page news that the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will go today to Cankaya Presidential Palace in order to receive by the Turkish President Ahmed Necdet Sezer the mandate for forming the new government. According to the Turkish Constitution, the procedure must be completed within 45 days, while within this period of time the new government should also start its duties.

The paper also notes that the election procedure for the new Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) has started, after the deputies oath taking ceremony. The deputies who are interested in the post of the Speaker should submit their applications by the 8th of August. The first round for the election of the 23rd Speaker of the TGNA will take place on the 9th of August. It is expected that the election procedure for the Speaker of the Parliament will last four rounds and the person that will be elected in the post will be the one who will receive absolute majority in the forth round. The duty of the new parliament Speaker will last for two years.

(ML)

[09] Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kamynin: Russia is planning new energy investments in the TRNC

He went on and said that they want to make economic investments in the TRNC, starting with energy.

Making a statement to Cumhuriyet regarding Russia´s stance on Cyprus, Kamynin said that until now they have tried to keep equal distance between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots in the island. Stating that they have always been loyal to the UN resolution 1758, Kamynin said that they closely follow the developments in the island, and that they will support any kind of solution provided that it is within the UN framework.

Kamynin said: We do not see any other power, than the UN which will be capable of securing a solution outside of the UN. And I do not think that this will be welcomed also in Cyprus.

Saying that Cyprus is first, as regards strategic importance in the East Mediterranean, the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman said: We do believe that the world public opinion will not reject a solution mechanism proposed by the UN which will include a timetable as well.

The proposal negotiations on all issues made by the UN Deputy Secretary General Ibrahim Gambari should start as soon as possible.

According to our contacts with the representatives of both communities the start of these negotiations for the time being is very difficult. But one has to try. We see light to this end. These proposals recently came from the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides again. We think that soon both sides will take steps.

Kamynin said that the most important step to be taken in the island regarding the solution is the economic integration. Kamynin said: This economic partnership could be realized in the near future, which will secure the integration of the communities. This will greatly contribute to doing away with the problem.

Subtitle: TRNC favors settlement

Pointing out that at this moment, the side which favors a settlement on the island is the Turkish side, Kamynin said: As far as we are concerned, the Northern Cyprus Turkish Community is sending very important and right messages.

These messages clearly and openly demonstrate that the Turkish side wants solution.

And, in our turn, in line with this firm effort, we want to develop, with the Turkish Cypriot community, the economic relations within the level permitted by the UN and the International laws.

We want to develop in the near future, the relation established between the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Turkish Cypriot Community because of the so many steps taken by the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the settlement issue.

We want to develop our relations especially in tourism, energy and in some specific areas. Our contacts on these issues continue.

EG/

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