Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-08-23

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mehmet Ali Talat evaluates his meeting with President Papadopoulos; Reactions on the decision for the realization of the meeting on 5 September

[02] Statements by the vice-president of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Football Federation on the invitation sent by FIFA

[03] The discussion of the issue of conveying electricity to the occupied Rizokarpasso was postponed for 27 August

[04] A British citizen who had been sentenced in 2002 by a British court was arrested in the occupied areas as a result of cooperation between the British police and the police of the breakaway regime

[05] The number of the students who come from Turkey to the illegal universities has been decreased

[06] Yonluer begins to register members for his new political movement

[07] The general secretary of KTAMS says that democracy in the occupied areas of Cyprus is only on paper

[08] Turkey and Pakistan hold joint military exercise

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[09] How the Turkish press reacted to Erdogans statements against columnist Bekir Coskun

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mehmet Ali Talat evaluates his meeting with President Papadopoulos; Reactions on the decision for the realization of the meeting on 5 September

He said that the biggest deficiency is the lack of activity on the issue of the solution of the Cyprus problem and alleged that the agreement of 8 July 2006, which aimed at preparing the ground for an overall solution, was not materialized because of the fact that the Greek Cypriot side did not need the solution.

He claimed that some changes began to happen in the perceptions (in the Greek Cypriot side) because of the fact that the presidential elections are approaching in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus and that is why a positive answer came to their call for a meeting.

Noting that the target of the 8 July agreement was to launch negotiations for reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and that this target was not achieved in spite of the fact that a year passed since the agreement, Mr Talat said: The duty now is to reach this target quickly and launch the negotiations for an overall solution as soon as possible.

Replying to a question, he said that there is no decision for a meeting between Mr Tasos Tzionis, chief of the Diplomatic Office of President Papadopoulos and his advisor Mr Rasit Pertev, before 5 September.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (23.08.07) reports that Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, referred to the issue and said that the meeting is an important step, but we should not exaggerate and attach much hope to it. He wished a negotiating process on the basis of the UN solution plan to begin as soon as possible. He argued that the Turkish Cypriots are a people politically equal to the Greek Cypriot people on the island and have the same rights as the Greek Cypriots for the destiny of Cyprus.

They should know this. The Turkish Cypriots are not going to wait until their wish is created, he alleged.

Meanwhile, Kibris reports also that referring to the issue, Abdullah Korkmazhan, member of the central executive committee of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), described the decision for a meeting between the two leaders as satisfactory and noted that the meeting should have results.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (23.08.07) newspaper describes the meeting as useless and argues that it will be useful only for turning the Turkish side into a material in the presidential elections in the free areas of the island. Invoking foreign observers and Greek Cypriot politicians, the paper writes that there is no hope from this meeting.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Statements by the vice-president of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Football Federation on the invitation sent by FIFA

In a written statement, Mr Seroydas noted that in the meeting, which will be hosted by FIFA, CFA and the KTFF will participate with a three-member delegation each.

The Turkish Cypriot Football Federation and therefore the football of the country are about to make a step in an important process, he argued and added, inter alia, the following:

We think that this long-lasting struggle which continues for years, the previous administrations and our administrative council have been influential for this invitation. We cannot ignore the reality that the developments after the invitation sent by the CFA to Cetinkaya recently and the match which was not played with Luton Town drew the attention of the whole world and therefore the attention of FIFA and UEFA to the situation of the football on the island of Cyprus ... Our only aim as federation is to open the way of football and secure to our youth the possibility that is recognized to all the youth of the world.

He noted that from the invitation sent by FIFA it is understood that the current situation in the football of the island cannot continue. He alleged:

The Turkish Cypriot Football Federation is the head of the football of the country. The invitation of FIFA was sent to the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation. Taking the issue to a political platform will be the biggest injustice against the youth of the country.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (23.08.07) reports that Zeki Ziya, chairman of Cetinkaya football club alleged that Marios Lefkaritis, deputy president of UEFA and honorary president of CFA, could not be unbiased and that he should not participate in the meeting.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The discussion of the issue of conveying electricity to the occupied Rizokarpasso was postponed for 27 August

According to the paper, taking into consideration that the company which won the tender is closely interested in the issue, the court postponed the discussion so that this company is able to be included in the case. The lawyer who represents the Platform, Boysan Boyra stated that stopping the works of placing pillars in the area until the court decides on the issue would be the fair thing to do. He noted: We should not think let us put the pillars quickly and finish this job before the court (decides). This is not ethical. During the discussion of the issue by the court, members of the Platform organized a protest outside the building.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (23.08.07) reports that in statements yesterday, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, referred to the issue and argued that if no electricity should be conveyed to the archaeological sites, then places such as the Ancient Theatre of Salamis, Saint Hilarion Castle and the Castle of Keryneia should not have electricity.

He said that the law regarding the Cape of Apostolos Andreas National Park will be conveyed to the assembly until 20 September. He argued that conflict should not be created on the issue of Karpass Peninsula and alleged that electricity and the development of a place are not the same and should not be confused.

(I/Ts.)

[04] A British citizen who had been sentenced in 2002 by a British court was arrested in the occupied areas as a result of cooperation between the British police and the police of the breakaway regime

According to a statement issued by the police, Roberts was taken to Britain and he was delivered to the British authorities the day before yesterday under the supervision of two policemen.

Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (23.08.07) refers to the issue and wonders why businessman Asil Nadir is not also handed over to the British police.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The number of the students who come from Turkey to the illegal universities has been decreased

He referred especially to the decrease of the students from Turkey and noted that the students from third countries cannot cover the shortage of the students who do not come from Turkey to study in the occupied areas of Cyprus. Guven said that there are 2.000 students from third countries studying in the illegal universities.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Yonluer begins to register members for his new political movement

(I/Ts.)

[07] The general secretary of KTAMS says that democracy in the occupied areas of Cyprus is only on paper

He noted that both the government and the assembly should discuss these allegations and issue a statement. Pointing out that this did not happen, he expressed the opinion that an investigation should be conducted on the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Turkey and Pakistan hold joint military exercise

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[09] How the Turkish press reacted to Erdogans statements against columnist Bekir Coskun

Writing in Istanbul Hurriyet (22.08.07), columnist Oktay Eksi asks whether he should thank journalist Ugur Dundar for exposing Prime Minister Erdogan's true approach, which he says conflicts with the speech he made when the unofficial results of the elections on 22 July were disclosed. Recalling that Erdogan promised to maintain an embracing approach in his speech, Eksi asserts in his column: What has Bekir Coskun done? He expressed dissatisfaction with the election results. Was he obliged to be satisfied? Eksi recalls Erdogan saying that he would support freedoms and democracy and adopt a tolerant approach and asks: "Has he not promised to embrace everyone? But, no one must be surprised. The statement he made to Ugur Dundar shows the prime minister's mentality, not the speech he made on 22 July." He concludes: "Someone must ask Prime Minister Erdogan: Do you think you are kicking out Bekir Coskun from his father's farm?"

In a column in Istanbul Hurriyet (22.08.07) Mehmet Yilmaz reacts to Prime Minister Erdogan's statement against columnist Bekir Coskun and argues that everyone is now aware that he is not a person who fulfills his promises. Creating the impression that Erdogan's warning against Coskun that he should leave the country if he does not wish to recognize Abdullah Gul as president applies to all the journalists, Yilmaz asserts: We will not leave the country, just as we have not left it in the past. A day will come when the officials in power at the present time will learn what democracy stands for.

In the first of his two columns in Istanbul Milliyet (22.08.07), Melih Asik criticizes Prime Minister Erdogan for asking journalist Bekir Coskun to leave Turkey if he fails to recognize Abdullah Gul as president. He recalls the promises Erdogan made after the elections on 22 July and notes: The promise to embrace everyone" did not last long. The new slogan is: You either like us or you give up your citizenship. Asik argues that Erdogan has never addressed Ahmet Necdet Sezer as "my president" and accuses him of criticizing Sezer round the clock. He concludes: According to Erdogan, those who do not address Gul as "my president" should give up their citizenship. Well, what is there to be said?

Sedat Ergin, in a column in Istanbul Milliyet (22.08.07) also criticizes Prime Minister Erdogan's statement that Bekir Coskun should leave the country if he will not recognize Abdullah Gul as president. He argues that the AKP has demonstrated an upsetting inclination even before it took up its duties in the second term of its administration. Asking whether the AKP will realize Turkey's participation in the EU with such a style in power, Ergin asserts: The indications are that maintaining the administration of the country will be the most important problem of the AKP in power in the new era. Thanks to God that Prime Minister Erdogan does not have the authority to send the opposition journalists into exile.

Although Hasan Cemal criticizes Bekir Coskun's style in his columns, he believes that Prime Minister Erdogan's statement that those who do not want to recognize Gul as president should give up their citizenship was an excessive and wrong reaction. Cemal says in a column in Istanbul Milliyet (22.08.07) that such an approach conflicts with democracy and cannot be a part of it and calls for tolerance instead of polarization for the sake of democracy in the country. He concludes by urging Erdogan to be careful with his reactions and statements and "mind his words."

In a report in Istanbul Milliyet (22.08.07), Mansur Celik, Onder Yilmaz, and Namik Durukan outline the reaction of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Nationalist Action Party (MHP), Democratic Left Party (DSP), and Democratic Society Party (DTP) to Prime Minister Erdogan's statement against Bekir Coskun. The leading representatives of the four parties describe Erdogan's approach as undemocratic and accuse him of trying to convert Turkey into an authoritarian Islamic state, asking how he finds the right to force citizens to leave the country.

Ergun Babahan faults Prime Minister Erdogan for saying that those who will not recognize Abdullah Gul as president should give up their citizenship. In a column in Istanbul Sabah (22.08.07), he argues that the prime minister must respect freedom of thought and expression. Babahan concludes by urging Erdogan, who, he says, claimed on election night that he would be the prime minister of the people, including those who did not vote for his party, to be careful with his statements.

In a column in the Istanbul Turkish Daily News (22.08.07), Mehmet Ali Birand says that Abdullah Gul believes that he has won in the first round of the voting that took place to elect the new president in Turkey, regardless of the fact that he was not elected. Birand argues that the CHP is very much upset with the behaviour of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) during the voting.

EG/

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