Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-08-29

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gul was elected as the 11th President of the Turkish Republic

[02] How the Turkish press covers the election of Abdullah Gul to the presidency of the Republic of Turkey

[03] MHP, DTP Leaders comment on Gul´s election

[04] The outgoing President Sezer sent a farewell message to Rauf Denktas stating that there are two equal and separate people in Cyprus and two separate states

[05] Statements by Hasan Ercakica during his weekly press conference

[06] Talat briefs the Turkish Cypriot political parties on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem

[07] Statements by Soyer on the Cyprus problem in occupied Vasilia

[08] A coast line planning master plan was signed at the illegal Near East University

[09] The occupation regime is preparing a draft law for the protection of geographical signs and traditional product names

[10] The former head of the Religious Affairs Ahmet Yonluer met with Turkish Cypriot businessman Asil Nadir

[11] A delegation of so-called MPs to visit London for contacts with the Turkish Cypriots

[12] The TRNC has taken its place in the Easykart World Championships internet site

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gul was elected as the 11th President of the Turkish Republic

The presidential election, which has been on Turkey's agenda for 124 days, finally concluded on Tuesday with the election of ruling Justice and Development Party nominee Abdullah Gul as Turkey's new president.

Gul is the second president whose wife wears a headscarf after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Gul was elected in the third round after receiving 339 votes out of 448 cast. The Nationalist Action Party (MHP) nominee, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, received 70 votes while Democratic Left Party (DSP) candidate Tayfun Icli received 13. Twenty-four deputies cast empty ballots, while two votes were considered invalid.

Following his election Gul was sworn in at Parliament, thereby assuming the presidential post from the 10th president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who had been acting president since May 10. In his acceptance speech President Gul offered his gratitude to members of Parliament who elected him and emphasized his commitment to the fundamental principles of the republic.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (28.08.07) reports the following from Ankara:

Abdullah Gul, the 11th President of Turkey, was sworn in as president at the Parliamentary General Assembly on Tuesday.

On assuming the office, President Gul took the following oath before the Turkish parliament: "In my capacity as President of the Republic I swear upon my honour and integrity before the Turkish Nation and before history to safeguard the existence and independence of the state, the indivisible integrity of the country and the Nation and the absolute sovereignty of the Nation, to abide by the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy, the principle of the secular Republic, not to deviate from the ideal according to which everyone is entitled to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms under conditions of national peace and prosperity and in a spirit of national solidarity and justice, and do my utmost to preserve and exalt the glory and honour of the Republic of Turkey and perform without bias the functions that I have assumed."

[02] How the Turkish press covers the election of Abdullah Gul to the presidency of the Republic of Turkey

Milliyet newspaper covers the issue in its first page with the head title Gul era at the Cankaya and centre page title Secular recipe in his first message.

The story is covered also with reportages in Milliyet´s inside pages about the departure of the outgoing President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and the swearing-in ceremony under the titles Last farewell to Ataturk, The name of the man at the top: Gul, The leader of the Nationalist Action Party opened the way to Gul for the Presidential Palace, Erdogan: Together we will proceed with openings and The generals did not attend the swearing-in ceremony.

All the columns of the paper also deal with Guls election.

Sabah newspapers front page title: 11th president Abdullah Gul and Guls first words as President: I will be unbiased. Lets not be afraid of the freedoms, lets do something about it. Disparity and diversity is our fortune. I will embrace all the citizens. In its inside pages the paper reports the story under the titles The businessmen too want to go to the Presidential Palace and Now is the turn of the council of ministers.

Hurriyet in its front page also reports on the election of the 11th president of Turkey, Abdullah Gul under the title The 11th President and the promise that he made and quotes Guls promise: The secular Republic will be devoted to the Ataturks principles and reforms. The paper reports that Gul is the youngest president of Turkey after Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Ismet Inonu. In its inside pages the paper uses titles like 1st president of the 2nd republic, Towards the 60th government with the velocity of a jet and Erdogan: We will go everywhere together.

Radikal reports the issue in its first page also calling on Mr Gul never to forget his oath as follows: Abdullah Gul, the 11th President of Turkey. Esteemed Gul, never forget this oath: In my capacity as President of the Republic I swear upon my honour and integrity before the Turkish nation

The inside titles of Radikal regarding the issue are: From Kayseri to Cankaya is a long road, The first Lady with a turban: My husband will change the destiny of this country, The marathon of the 126 days, Erdogan presents today to Gul the new list of the council of ministers and CHP (Republican Peoples Party) annoyed, MHP (Nationalist Action Party) and DTP (Democratic Turkey Party) thoughtful.

The election of Abdullah Gul in the presidency of the Republic of Turkey is covered in great length in the Turkish Cypriot press today (29.08.07) as well.

The columnist of Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper Arif Hasan Tahsin, comments about Guls election as follows:

There is a great possibility that while you are reading this article Abdullah Gul has been elected President of the Republic of Turkey, he went to Cankaya and took over the duties of Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

As it is known, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, was the President of Turkey but at the same time he was a great supporter of Denktas. A very big supporter of Denktas

Ahmet Necdet Sezer, behind whom Mr Denktas was hiding very often and was trying to sell his own views saying as the president of Turkey Ahmet Sezer said.

Can an obstacle not be put in front of esteemed Abdullah Gul?

For example tanks cannot be taken out in the streets for balance?

Will the army digest Gul who has graduated from Erbakans school?

It seems that if Abdullah Gull does not face a big obstacle, he will sit at the Cankaya wooden house which is called the house of Ataturk.

Abdullah Gul and Recep Tayyip Erdogan had alleged that they could bring a solution to Cyprus.

Now what will they do?

The support of the people is there for them.

Will they resolve the Cyprus problem?

This is a group that embraces the Annan Plan.

Are they going to bring the Annan Plan to the agenda?

How many times have Abdullah Gul and Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: We know that the Greek Cypriots would say No. We said that and to Mr Denktas and he said Yes. Because it was certain that the Greek Cypriots would say No. But even if Mr Denktas was convinced, he had a phone call. After he talked on the phone Denktas said No?

While the Security Council was preparing to give the guarantee for the implementation of the Annan Plan, did not Russia use its veto right on Abdullah Guls request?

In other words, the Yes of Abdullah Gul and Recep Tayyip Erdogans to the Annan Plan and the pressure on North Cyprus to say Yes was nothing but tactic.

After reminding that the mentor of Gul and Erdogan, Mr Erbakan, was Deputy Prime Minister in the Ecevit government which ordered the Turkish troops to invade Cyprus in 1974, the columnist goes on:

You are waiting for a long time. You too, in the South as well.

Three questions to you...

When was the largest population from Turkey transferred to Cyprus?

At the period of Erdogan and Gul.

When was Cyprus plundered the most?

At the period of Erdogan and Gul.

When did the most Turkish capital come to Cyprus?

At the period of Erdogan and Gul.

...

Look at what I am telling to you!

Do not get excited in vain. The enthusiasm will be stacked in your throat. Because, unless Turkey faces serious difficulty, it will not make an agreement in Cyprus. And the army will not be withdrawn

And the chances of the Cypriot community to survive are below zero

If you know the cure, apply it now

As long as there is time!

(EA)

[03] MHP, DTP Leaders comment on Gul´s election

"Turkish parliament has elected Turkey's president. I hope it will be beneficial for everyone," said Nationalist Action Party (MHP) chairman Devlet Bahceli on Tuesday, commenting on Abdullah Gul's election as president.

Meanwhile, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, MHP's presidential candidate, stated that Gul was elected thanks to the votes of Justice and Development (AK) Party's MPs.

Cakmakoglu described Gul's election as a "numerical result".

Moreover, Democratic Society Party (DTP) Parliamentary Group Chairman Ahmet Turk said, "for the sake of democracy and for the formation of a democratic republic, we hope Gul would have a stance which represents 72 million people."

[04] The outgoing President Sezer sent a farewell message to Rauf Denktas stating that there are two equal and separate people in Cyprus and two separate states

The paper writes that Mr Sezer sent a farewell message to Rauf Denktas on the occasion of leaving his duties as the president of the Republic of Turkey yesterday. Mr Sezer stated that he felt happiness that in a part of his seven years duty he worked together with Rauf Denktas in order to promote the national cause of Cyprus. Stating that there are two equal and separate people in Cyprus and two separate states, Mr Sezer said that he believes that in the efforts towards reaching a solution in the island in the coming period, this reality will continue to be taken into consideration.

He also stated that there is not enough power to cut down the Turkish Cypriots from Turkey, and to leave them without protection and without safety. As he stated, Turkey will always protect the Turkish Cypriots.

(CS)

[05] Statements by Hasan Ercakica during his weekly press conference

Presidential spokesman Hasan Ercakica has called on the EU member states to keep an equal distance to the two sides in Cyprus in a way to contribute to a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at his regular weekly press conference this morning, Mr. Ercakica stressed the importance of the need for the member nations of the European Union to treat the two sides on the island equally when they hold contacts with them.

Referring to the forthcoming meeting on September the 5th between President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, the TRNC Presidential Spokesman said that the Turkish Cypriot side is continuing its preparations for the meeting.

As the preparations continue, our consultations are also ongoing with the government and the political parties, as well as with Turkey he added, announcing that there will be a consultation meeting with the main opposition National Unity and opposition Democrat parties tomorrow, followed by an evaluation of the current situation with the parties forming the government.

Mr. Ercakica expressed the wish that the September 5th meeting will help pave the way for comprehensive negotiations to bring an end to the Cyprus question.

Drawing the attention to the claims that the Greek Cypriot administration has been using the planned meeting for political ends in view of the approaching elections in South Cyprus, the TRNC Presidential spokesman said that this is why President Mehmet Ali Talat has made known his readiness and willingness to meet and discuss anything concerning the Cyprus question with any political figure, journalist or intellectual from South Cyprus.

The spokesman also referred to the big fire disaster in Greece and said that President Mehmet Ali Talat has been closely watching the efforts to bring the blaze under control.

He said the Presidents heart-felt sympathies go with the People of Greece as the country fights the devastating forest fires.

Asked, if the TRNC would consider providing any kind of help to the ongoing fire-fighting in Greece, Mr Ercakica reminded that the TRNC has no diplomatic relations with this country, and warned that any attempt to provide assistance would be labelled by others as manipulation and exploitation of the fires by the TRNC.

[06] Talat briefs the Turkish Cypriot political parties on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem

President Mehmet Ali Talat started receiving representatives of political parties with seats in the Assembly today, as part of an effort to exchange views and brief leading political parties in the country on the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem as well as his meeting scheduled to take place with the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos on the 5th of September.

Representatives from the Democrat Party were the first to be received by the President today.

He is expected to hold similar meetings with representatives of the main opposition national unity party and the Communal Democracy Party tomorrow.

President Talat will be receiving the Republican Turkish Party and the Freedom and Reform Party respectively on Friday.

[07] Statements by Soyer on the Cyprus problem in occupied Vasilia

The Prime Minister and leader of the Republican Turkish Party- United Forces (CTP) Ferdi Sabit Soyer, has reacted to the latest statements by the Greek Cypriot Side on the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The United Nations Resolution in 1977 highlighted the need for providing a solution to the Cyprus problem which envisages a bi-communal and bi-zonal system based on the political equality of the two sides. And, this is the only way of solving the Cyprus problem the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Soyer touched upon the economic development in the country and the latest political developments during a public gathering of CTP held in the Karsiyaka Village (occupied Vasilia) last night.

He stressed that reaching a political settlement in Cyprus is not only in favour of the Turkish Cypriot people, but also of the Greek Cypriot People, as well as Turkey and Greece; and he reiterated that the Cyprus problem can only be solved under the UN umbrella.

Underlining the need for the Turkish Cypriot people to act willingly towards providing a solution to the Cyprus problem based on political equality, bi-zonality and security, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that people should also work to achieve further economic development and institutionalization.

Mr. Soyer warned that if the Turkish Cypriot people fail to do so, its communal existence will be interrupted.

We have reached some economic development but thats not enough, we need to go further, he said.

Referring to the recent statements made by the Greek Cypriot Archbishop Chrysostomos on the eve of the meeting between the two leaders of the island, CTP leader criticized the Archbishop for saying that a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution is unacceptable.

Mr. Soyer pointed out that the statements by the Archbishop include some contradictions.

On the one hand, how come a religious leader owns a dominant role in the politics of a government which is a member of the European Union? This is against democracy, secularism and the democratic institutionalization of the EU. On the other hand, the Greek Cypriot Side continues its argument on what kind of a solution must be provided to the Cyprus problem, despite of the fact that the UN has been underlining the need for a bi-zonal and bi-communal solution based on political equality, since 1977. This shows the fact that the Greek Cypriot Side is finding it difficult to adopt such a solution, he said.

[08] A coast line planning master plan was signed at the illegal Near East University

The Ministry of Public Works and Communications and the Near East University have signed a protocol to prepare a coast line planning master plan in the TRNC.

The Minister of Public Works and Communications Salih Usar and the Rector of the Near East University Dr. Suat Gunsel put their signatures to the protocol at the Near East University Conference Hall today.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Minister of Public Works and Communications Salih Usar said that the coast line planning master plan is a project which will cast light into the future.

He also noted that arrangements will be made for the next 20 and 30 years with the project which is scheduled to be completed until the end of 2009. The aim of the project which will be put into practice in line with the European Union standards is to protect and put in order the usage of the 283 kilometers coast line in the country.

[09] The occupation regime is preparing a draft law for the protection of geographical signs and traditional product names

According to the statement the draft law has been prepared aiming to secure the registration of names which are characteristic of the country, such as halloumi cheese, trahanas, sucuk and kofter (traditional sweets made by grapes) and hand made laces.

(CS)

[10] The former head of the Religious Affairs Ahmet Yonluer met with Turkish Cypriot businessman Asil Nadir

[11] A delegation of so-called MPs to visit London for contacts with the Turkish Cypriots

A TRNC parliamentary delegation is set to leave for the British Capital London this Thursday for a series of contacts with Turkish Cypriots living there.

During its stay in London, the TRNC delegation made up of Republican Turkish Party Deputies Kadri Fellahoglu, Ahmet Barcin and Teberruken Ulucay is expected to hold talks with high level British officials and representatives of Turkish Cypriot Associations as well as visit the London Cyprus Turkish Football Federation.

The parliamentary delegation is scheduled to return to the Republic on the 6th of September.

[12] The TRNC has taken its place in the Easykart World Championships internet site

The paper adds that the flag of the TRNC is in the official website of the Sixth Easykart World Championship which will take place at the Italian city of Cervia on 21 October.

On the same issue Turkish Cypriot Halkin Sesi newspaper (29.08.07) reports that ZET karting, which is the vendor of easykart in Turkey and the TRNC, sold 60 easykart last year and became the favourite of the organizers of the World Championship.

HALKIN SESI notes that the occupied areas were invited to this years championship as North Cyprus and that the TRNC Easykart Team will leave for Italy on 17 October.

EG/

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