Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-08-21

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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 EU calls on the breakaway regime to avoid hasty actions on the issue of conveying electricity to the occupied Rizokarpasso area

[02] Soyer alleges that the main problem of the Turkish Cypriots is to establish contacts with the world

[03] Soyer meets with the occupation army commanders and says that they will continue the efforts of strengthening their economy and further institutionalizing their state; The handover ceremonies in the occupation army are completed

[04] Polands Solidarity trade union signed an agreement with KTOS and visited the occupied areas of Cyprus

[05] Turkish Cypriot newspaper wonders how one of the hijackers was able to exit from the occupied areas without having an entrance document

[06] Cyprus on the agenda of the meeting of the National Security Council

[07] AKP candidate receives 341 votes in the first round of presidential elections

[08] Russian billionaire invests in northern Cyprus

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[09] Columnist in Volkan assesses the EU expectations from the new Erdogan government

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The EU calls on the breakaway regime to avoid hasty actions on the issue of conveying electricity to the occupied Rizokarpasso area

According to the paper, the EU Commission announced that it is aware of the intention of the government to convey electricity to Karpass Peninsula and noted that hasty actions should be avoided. In a reply to a letter sent by the Sustainable Environment Platform, Mr Andrew Rasbash, head of the Work Branch for the Turkish Cypriot Community established by the EU Commissions Directorate for Enlargement, expressed the view of the EU that the environment should be respected during the conveying of electricity to Karpass and noted that this should be done in a really sustainable manner.

He said that the Commission has carried out studies on the issue of conveying electricity to Karpass and added:

The Commission hopes that the Turkish Cypriot authorities will wait until the results of the electricity evaluation reports are announced and a plan for the environment is prepared for taking a conscious decision from the point of view of securing the most appropriate energy type for the needs of the inhabitants of the Karpass Peninsula, while protecting the natural wealth of the area.

He noted that after the reunification of the island the Karpass Peninsula might be included in the Natura 2000 Areas under the Habitat and Bird Directives of the EU.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (21.08.07) refers to the issue under the banner front-page title EU interference in Karpass and reports that Mr Rasbash noted that the reports of the EU are expected to be ready within the next few days and that the Commission is intensifying the arrangements for financing the preparation of an administrative plan for Karpass so that this plan is ready in the spring of 2008.

Meanwhile, Kibris reports that the Sustainable Environment Platform continued yesterday its activities in occupied Nicosia and Famagusta protesting against the drawing of energy lines to convey electricity from occupied Rizokarpasso village to the Cape of Apostolos Andreas. The platform distributed brochures, lighted candles and launched a signature campaign.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Soyer alleges that the main problem of the Turkish Cypriots is to establish contacts with the world

He once again accused the Greek Cypriot side of aiming at the unification of the island with Greece and alleged that the Greek Cypriots try to put the Turkish Cypriots under their sovereignty, especially after the accession of Cyprus into the EU. He said that the island needs a realistic solution.

He referred to the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and said: This people, who has a high educational and cultural level, has the right to establish contacts with the world. This is our main problem.

Addressing the same meeting, Mongi Bousnia, director of ALESCO, expressed their satisfaction for the fact that the international meeting on the issue of the Youth Initiative for the Alliance between Civilizations took place in the occupied areas of Cyprus and said that they agree with the views of Mr Soyer expressed within the framework of the peace and civilizations dialogue.

Mr Bousnia noted that they invited Mr Soyer to participate in their summit which will take place in November in Baku.

Furthermore, the delegation visited also the self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Turgay Avci who said that such international meetings will contribute to the opening of the Turkish Cypriots to the world and to reach the place they have the right to be.

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.08.07) reports that the ICO delegation met also yesterday at a breakfast with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Soyer meets with the occupation army commanders and says that they will continue the efforts of strengthening their economy and further institutionalizing their state; The handover ceremonies in the occupation army are completed

This is our political attitude. It is clear, he said in statements during a meeting with the commander of Turkish occupation army in Cyprus, lieutenant general Hayri Kivrikoglu and the commanders of the units who took over their duties during the weekend.

Mr Soyer described as unacceptable the statement made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs Erato Kozakou Markoulli who said that the reason for the non-solution in Cyprus in the presence of the Turkish occupation army and the attitude of the chief of the General Staff, Yasar Buyukanit. He said that they could never accept the fact that the Turkish armed forces are shown as responsible for the non-solution by the Greek Cypriots in their effort to hide the policy (of the Greek Cypriot side) in favour of the non-solution and osmosis.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (21.08.07) refers to Mr Soyers statements under the title He proved his Turkishness.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (20.08.07) broadcast the following on the issue:

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has stated that the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus which continue its presence on the island as a result of 1960 Guaranty and Alliance treaties is carrying out its mission conveniently.

The newly appointed commanders of the 28th and 39th Mechanized Infantry Divisions and the 14th Armoured Brigade paid courtesy visits to the state and government officials today.

Accompanied by the Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus Lieutenant General Hayri Kivrikoglu, the Commander of the 28 Mechanized Infantry Division Major General Ismail Serdar Savas, the Commander of the 39th Mechanized Infantry Division Major General Mehmet Tas, the Commander of the 14th Armoured Brigade Brigadier General Mehmet Faruk Sengun and the Chief of Staff of the Peace Forces Staff Colonel Yildirim Alel visited President Mehmet Ali Talat, the Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and the former President Rauf Denktas.

Speaking during their visit to prime minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus Lieutenant General Hayri Kivrikoglu said that Turkish Peace Forces will continue its mission in Cyprus in the same way.

For his part, prime minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the military units under the command of Lieutenant general Hayri Kivrikoglu are conducting their mission in Cyprus conveniently and it will continue until a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem is found.

Referring to the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Markoullis statement in which she accused the Turkish Armed Forces for being responsible for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, Mr Soyer said this kind of approach which aims to conceal the Greek Cypriot Administrations non-solution and osmosis policies is unacceptable. He noted that Turkish Cypriot Side and Turkey have always made initiatives towards finding a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem.

Turkish National Security Council, in its latest statement, has once again put forward its insistence on equality and a federal solution in Cyprus. This is the common objective the Prime Minister added.

Meanwhile, the handover ceremonies of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces were completed yesterday.

The 14th Armoured Brigade Commander- Brigadier General Namik Kemal Caliskan handed over his duty to the Brigadier General Mehmet Faruk Sengun.

And, at the 28th Infantry Division Commandership, Major General Ismail Serdar Savas handed over his duty to Major General Sabri Demirezen.

President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces- Lieutenant General Hayri Kivrikoglu delivered speeches during the last two handover ceremonies and this was then followed with a military parade.

[04] Polands Solidarity trade union signed an agreement with KTOS and visited the occupied areas of Cyprus

In statements after the meeting, the chairman of SKOIW NSZZ, Stefan Kubowicz said that they came to the island for the implementation of the agreement they signed with KTOS and expressed their wish for the strengthening of the cooperation between the two trade unions.

He said that together with the program for the exchange of teachers, students could also be exchanged. Kubowicz noted that the delegation met with the self-styled minister of education, Canan Oztoprak and the rector of the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University, Halil Guven, who promised that they will support the cooperation programs.

Mr Sener Elcil, KTOS general secretary, said that their trade union is registered in the Republic of Cyprus and therefore it is internationally recognized. He noted that the isolations will not be lifted only by saying that they should be lifted. We could explain to the world that we are right by using our rights within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, argued Mr Elcil.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish Cypriot newspaper wonders how one of the hijackers was able to exit from the occupied areas without having an entrance document

The paper notes that it is not known how Talikh, who is Palestinian born in Cairo, entered into the occupied areas and how he was able to exit from the occupied areas without having an entrance document.

The paper reports that the officials cannot find out how a person who was trained in a camp of terrorist Al Qaida organization could enter into the occupied area so easily. He left the occupied areas on 26 March 2007 and returned three months later, notes Star Kibris.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Cyprus on the agenda of the meeting of the National Security Council

The activities for oil researches conducted in the Mediterranean by the Republic of Cyprus, in the framework of the bilateral agreements, and the measures to be taken against these activities will be discussed in the meeting.

The paper writes that it will be the last time that the outgoing Turkish President Ahmet Sezer will participate in a meeting of the MGK. In addition two commanding officers who will retire and two ministers who will not participate in the new government will say farewell to the MGK, since today they will participate for the last time in a meeting of the body.

(CS)

[07] AKP candidate receives 341 votes in the first round of presidential elections

"Abdullah Gul received 341 votes in the first round of presidential election. Sabahattin Cakmakoglu received 69 votes. Tayfun Icli from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) received 13 votes. It was reported that there were 21 empty ballots. As it was predicted, Abdullah Gul did not receive the necessary 367 votes in the first round. He received 341 votes. Since all the 340 Justice and Development Party deputies voted for Gul, this means that Gul also received the vote of an independent deputy. Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, the candidate from Nationalist Action Party (MHP) received 69 votes. This, in turn, means there is one less vote from the MHP, which has 70 deputies in the Assembly. Tayfun Icli received all the votes of the DSP. Accordingly, Abdullah Gul did not achieve the majority needed to be elected president. The second round of election will be held on Friday, 24 August".

On the same issue, Turkish daily Today´s Zaman newspaper (21.08.07) reports the following:

With all parties other than the Republican People´s Party (CHP) attending, 448 deputies were present. The CHP said yesterday that it would stick to its boycott of the ballot even after its partner in the general elections, the DSP, had agreed to name a candidate. The MHP and DSP deputies were present to support their candidates, while the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) attended the vote but apparently declined to support Gul.

[08] Russian billionaire invests in northern Cyprus

Roman Abramovich, one of the world's richest businessmen, has added northern Cyprus to his investment portfolio. Abramovich is about to finish his $30 million real estate investment in the Arapkoy (Klepini) region. The investment, named Chelsey Village, imitating the name of the British football team Abramovich owns, aims to attract Russian property investors to northern Cyprus.

Abramovich, who last week vacationed in Turkey's Bodrum, Marmaris and Istanbul aboard his luxurious yacht, Le Grand Blue, reportedly became interested in northern Cyprus three years ago. The Russian billionaire bought a piece of land in the Arapkoy region, a popular area for villa construction, for $5 million through intermediaries from a Turkish Cypriot company. The Chelsey Village project was launched last year. As the project is near to complete, villas are being sold mainly to wealthy Russians, most of whom buy the property before the finishing touches have been made.

Subtitle: Potential for tourism:

Abramovich, who most recently visited northern Cyprus two weeks ago, has seen the tourism potential of the northern part of the island. A businessman, who observes the Russian billionaire's investments, said on the condition of anonymity that Abramovich had explored the possibility of building a 38-storey hotel in Keryneia (Girne), but gave up on the plan.

The Russian billionaire also plans to invest extensively in Turkey. His first yacht visit to the country took place in 2005. Abramovich started investing in Turkey by acquiring Istanbul Safisa Hotel in Antalya's Kundu region. The luxurious hotel, which targets Russian clientele in Antalya, is expected to open this year. According to the building plan, the hotel will have 572 rooms and capacity for 1,258 beds. Turkish press reports have indicated that Abramovich has also purchased Keyland Hotel in Marmaris. But the hotel is practically a frozen investment, because its construction has been halted for the past 15 years.

Abramovich, who had bought the London mansion of Turkish businessman Halis Toprak for $93 million, is reportedly also interested in the 21-acre land of Toprak in Kuadas1, another popular Turkish resort. Allegedly, Abramovich is ready to pay $350 million for the piece of land.

The billionaire is also claimed to be interested in acquiring a mansion for himself on the Bosporus.

In northern Cyprus, the news of Abramovich' plans got a mixed response. Mehmet Atakan of CMG property development in Keryneia said the plan to build and sell villas for Russian property investors could have negative implications for the local economy. "In investments where a foreigner constructs property and sells it to another foreigner, keeping the profit himself, the impact on local economy can hardly be positive," he said.

Huseyin Aka, branch manager at Century 21 Mediterra in Keryneia, on the other hand pointed out that the investment may also increase the understanding of the situation of northern Cyprus abroad. "Any investment in northern Cyprus is good. I believe that this project will keep the local economy going, especially if the project employs local labour force and tradesmen to sell the villas. I believe that it will also increase understanding of the situation of northern Cyprus," he said.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[09] Columnist in Volkan assesses the EU expectations from the new Erdogan government

Column by Gunay Yorgancioglu under the title: "EU Expectations From the New Erdogan Government":

The EU insists that the second Erdogan administration must definitely realize the reforms its predecessor failed to carry out for one reason or another. What the EU wants is not legal, social, and political reforms. According to the organization, those can be realized later. It wants Prime Minister Erdogan to take the first steps to mend the disrupted relations between the organization and Turkey in order to avoid a veto by Southern Cyprus. What kind of steps are they?

Withdrawal of troops from Cyprus as a good-will gesture.

Opening of the [Orthodox] religious school on Heybeliada in Istanbul.

Opening of Turkey's ports to South Cyprus.

Normalization of relations with Armenia.

Solution of the Kurdish problem.

According to the EU, Erdogan has not been able to make these radical changes because of the rejection front headed by the Cankaya Mansion [presidential palace], Turkish General Staff, and former Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas. Erdogan returned to power after emerging stronger from the elections on 22 July. Cankaya will not be a problem for him anymore. As for the national forces, they will keep quiet because of the election results. What about Denktas? The election results will silence him as well. He will not be able to travel to Turkey without Erdogan's approval.

Yes, that is what the EU thinks. And, that is why it expects significant reforms (!) from Erdogan.

According to the information I have received from a reliable source, the new Erdogan administration will adopt a favourable approach on the EU demands. The first step it will take will be aimed at weakening the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP) to obstruct any unfavourable development that might take place if the government changes in the TRNC. Recep Tayyip Erdogan is well-aware of the fact that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) administration will fall if early elections are held in Northern Cyprus. He will do everything he can to obstruct that.

It seems that the officials have not learned a lesson from the failure of the EU to fulfil its promises thus far. Consequently, the Turkish Cypriots have started to believe that the problem can be solved only if they agree to be patched to the Greek Cypriot side. Taking that as an opportunity, the pro-Greek Cypriot media organs and their columnists began to call for cooperation with the Greek Cypriots.

But, we will wait and see whether the national forces will remain silent. We will wait and see whether troops will be withdrawn from Cyprus.

The spouses of nearly half of the deputies in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (GNA) use headscarves to cover their heads. They refuse to shake hands with men. They do not talk to men. Nor do they look into the eyes of men. The wife of Prime Minister Erdogan behaves in a similar way. That also applies to the wife of Abdullah Gul, who seeks to be elected as president. So, would it not be naïve to expect the GNA deputies, who obediently comply with the instructions of Erdogan and Gul, to safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriots?

God, what kind of an evil time is this?

EG/

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