Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-09-06

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The leaders of the two communities met under the UN auspices. The Turkish Press on the meeting

[02] Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan and British Foreign Secretary Miliband´s news conference in Ankara

[03] Turkish Prime Minister met with the British Foreign Secretary

[04] The British High Commissioner Peter Millet visits the illegal Bayrak television director

[05] Soyer met with the High Commissioner Peter Millet

[06] A new Turkish bank is starting operations in occupied Cyprus

[07] Turkish-French relations after the visit of French FM Undersecretary Philipee Faure to Turkey

[08] Turkish Parliament gives its confidence vote to the new Turkish government

[09] The auction of Turkish daily Sabah newspaper will take place on November

[10] Missing Russian businessman reportedly seen in Turkey

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The leaders of the two communities met under the UN auspices. The Turkish Press on the meeting

President Mehmet Ali Talat and the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Tassos Papadopoulos have agreed on the need for the earliest start of a new process towards bringing about a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The agreement was announced tonight at the end of a three hour long meeting between the two leaders who met for the first time in a year.

The meeting between the two leaders started at around 04.00 oclock in the afternoon and lasted more than three hours.

It took place at the residence of the UN Chiefs Special Representative to Cyprus Michael Moller in the UN-controlled buffer zone in Lefkosia.

No agenda was set for the meeting, which was the first since the 8th July 2006, when the two leaders were brought together by the former UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari during a visit to the island.

Reading out a short statement at the end of the meeting, Mr. Moller said that the two leaders agreed on the need for the earliest start of a new process and discussed other issues leading to a comprehensive settlement.

Mr. Moller said that the meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere and that the two leaders agreed to continue their contacts through the United Nations and to meet again when appropriate.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.09.07) reports the following from occupied Lefkosia:

President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos have agreed to meet once again in the coming days to take a step towards a comprehensive negotiation process.

Talat and Papadopoulos held a nearly three-and-an-half hour meeting at the residence of UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Michael Moller in the buffer zone.

Following the meeting, Moller said that they held a constructive meeting, and that the leaders agreed to resume talks.

Moller added that Talat and Papadopoulos also agreed to meet once again in the coming days.

The Papadopoulos Talat meeting is covered by the Turkish Cypriot newspapers (06.09.07) as follows:

Under the title Tassos is running away, Kibris reports in its first page about yesterdays meeting between President Tassos Papadopoulos and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Speaking at a press conference after his meeting with President Papadopoulos, Mr Talat stated, inter alia, that Mr Papadopoulos did not accept his proposals of launching comprehensive talks at once and reaching a solution by the end of 2008. The paper writes that Mr Papadopoulos insisted in bringing to life, without conditions and without changes, the 8th of July agreement saying that this agreement is a good procedure which will lead to the launching of comprehensive talks.

Afrika under the title They beat the air (Verbatim they opened a hole in the water) reports in its first page that yesterdays meeting between Papadopoulos and Talat, which lasted for about three hours, led to no result. The paper writes that Mr Papadopoulos insisted on carrying on the 8th of July agreement, while Mr Talat suggested the launching of comprehensive negotiations after a few months preparations, with the aim of reaching a solution by the end of the year 2008. However, Mr Papadopoulos did not accept this proposal. Mr Talat also asked for changes to the 8th of July agreement and the reduction of the number of the technical committees, while Mr Papadopoulos stated that the process must not be speeded up because the deadlock will become even deeper.

Under the title Three hours summit, Yeni Duzen writes, inter alia, that during yesterdays meeting, which lasted longer than it was expected; the two leaders announced that they agree on the launching again of comprehensive negotiations.

Under the title Great cry and little wool Ortam reports that the decision to continue the dialogue came out of Papadopoulos-Talat meeting. The paper notes that apart from this no other important decision came out of the meeting.

Halkin Sesi, under the title The end of 8th of July, reports about the meeting and writes that Mr Talat said stop to the 8th of July process, which was used as delaying tactics, as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem and got a new process started. Mr Talat also stated that the fact that not even one committee which was envisaged by the 8th of July agreement was established until now, shows that this way is wrong. Mr Papadopoulos replied to this saying that Talat wants changes to the Gambari process, writes the paper.

Under the title, Talat-Papadopoulos meeting lasted three hours! Vatan reports that after the meeting which took place in the house of Mr Michael Moller, the UN Secretary-Generals Special Representative to Cyprus, Mr Moller issued a short statement saying that the meeting was productive. However, writes the paper, Talats statements after the meeting, show that this was not the case. Talat stated that they made a proposal which would lead to an urgent solution, but this proposal was not accepted.

Kibrisli publishes a picture of the two leaders shaking hands under the UN flag and writes that under this flag is not a negotiation but a meeting. The paper goes on and writes that the main contradiction from yesterdays meeting was that the Turkish side is behaving with the thought of solution but the Greek Cypriot side is running after the sovereignty. The paper also writes that if this contradiction is not solved, it condemns them to stay at the deadlock. The most important victory of us at yesterdays meeting was that it took place under the UN flag, writes the paper.

Sozcu reports about the meeting as follows: According to president Talat: The head of the Greek Cypriots is not ready for solution. They will take this time: 14 months, 14 years, 140 years.

Star Kibris reports about the meeting under the title In the same table after 14 months and writes, inter alia, that the two sides have different opinion regarding the principles of the procedure, since Talat asked for the launching of comprehensive negotiations the sooner possible and Papadopoulos asked for the continuation of the 8th of July agreement.

Under the title Papadopoulos refused everything, Volkan writes in its first page that the leader of the Greek Cypriot side proved for one more time at yesterdays meeting that his main aim is to play with time and like he does every time he said meaningless words.

Gunes writes under the title They will meet at a suitable time that no progress was achieved at the meeting between Papadopoulos and Talat and the date for their next meeting is uncertain.

Bakis writes that Talat-Papadopoulos met.

Cyprus Times writes in English that Talat, Papadopoulos met amid hopes for progress.

The Turkish newspapers (06.09.07) also made a reference to the issue as follows:

Under the title Talat-Papadopoulos met after 14 months Milliyet newspaper in its internal pages publishes a report by Sefa Karahasan, the papers correspondent in occupied Cyprus.

Sefa Karahasan writes that the two leaders met yesterday for the first time after the 8th of July 2006 at the residence of the UN Secretary-Generals Special Representative in Cyprus, Michael Moller. The two leaders discussed on an open agenda, and they focused on the ways to overcome the bottleneck regarding the 8th July process.

According to political observers, the Papadopoulos Talat meeting was described as Papadopoulos forced meeting, since the President wishes to show to the Greek Cypriots and to the world his will for peace prior to the forthcoming Presidential elections of February 17th, 2008. I want peace. Look, I have met with the Turkish leader, is the message that President Papadopoulos wants to send, as Karahasan writes.

Yesterdays meeting is also reported in Radikal newspaper under the title After a year Papadopoulos met with Talat.

(CS/ML)

[02] Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan and British Foreign Secretary Miliband´s news conference in Ankara

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Wednesday that Turkey and England shared a strong determination to enhance existing cooperation between the two countries.

FM Babacan and his British counterpart David Miliband held a joint press conference after their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara on Wednesday.Babacan expressed the happiness he felt over hosting British FM Miliband and said, "It is very gladdening that the British FM visited our country only a few days after the new government had been formed."

Babacan said they discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual concern regarding the EU at their meeting. Babacan also noted they would assess regional matters at a working meal later.

Foreign Minister Babacan regarded the plan of action signed between the two countries in 2004 as a framework for strategic relations between the two countries and said, "we have happily observed that bilateral relations which have been progressing in a smooth and friendly course have improved in all fields and that we shared a common determination to further enhance the existing cooperation between our two countries."

Foreign Minister Babacan underlined that the most important topic on their agenda was Turkey-EU relations and said that he thanked the visiting FM for the realistic policies of England that has always supported Turkey's EU bid.

Babacan emphasized that Turkey's EU membership perspective and the reforms that have been implemented to date would continue with determination and said that he had expressed the importance of friendly European countries, especially that of England.

Babacan also noted that he seized the opportunity to express Turkey's views and expectations to the visiting FM and said, "We have expressed our expectation that England, one of the guarantor states in Cyprus, should continue to support for an extensive solution to the Cyprus issue under the auspices of the UN."

David Miliband, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, said that they condemned terrorist acts of PKK, stating that they also welcomed Turkish government's efforts to fight against it by working together with Iraq.

When he was reminded of his statement in an article published in British "Daily Telegraph" that "in the Middle East, Turkey can add a new dimension to our efforts to bring security and prosperity to the region" and asked what this new dimension is, Miliband stated that it was the important role that Turkey would play in the meeting of neighbouring countries to Iraq.Miliband noted that he also touched on great economic transformation in Turkey and how this great transformation could contribute to prosperity of Europe in his article.

Asked whether Turkey is ready to assume this important role, FM Babacan said, "Turkey has resolved its internal problems during the last five years. It attached more interest in international and regional matters. Turkey will be more effective in the region during the following period."EU PROCESS AND CYPRUS: British Secretary of State David Miliband stated that Turkey's full membership to the EU would be beneficial for both Turkey and Europe and underlined the importance they attached to close cooperation in the fields of security, energy and cultural exchange with this perspective.When a reporter said that Britain made commitments on direct flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the direct trade regulation when Tony Blair was British PM, Miliband recalled the meeting to be held between TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, stating that he considered this meeting an important one on the Cyprus issue.

Miliband indicated that they were eager to fulfil those commitments, but they should act in accordance with some international rules and legal duties.Asked whether his visit can be considered a support of Britain and EU to Turkish democracy, Miliband remarked that they appreciated the democratic process in Turkey.

FIGHT AGAINST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION PKK: Noting that they condemned terrorist acts of PKK, Miliband stressed that they also welcomed Turkish government's efforts to fight against it by working together with Iraq. He added that Britain would extend great support to both governments.

[03] Turkish Prime Minister met with the British Foreign Secretary

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received David Miliband, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on Wednesday.

Miliband is currently paying a formal visit to Turkey to maintain the perfect Turkish-British relations of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's political power during the era of new Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The bilateral relations, Turkey's EU membership process, efforts to further develop cooperation in fight against terrorism and recent developments in Iraq were high on agenda of the meeting.

Miliband informed Prime Minister Erdogan on security situation and latest developments in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Erdogan and Miliband stressed that mutual visits by the prime ministers of the two countries will further improve the bilateral relations.

[04] The British High Commissioner Peter Millet visits the illegal Bayrak television director

The British High Commissioner Peter Millet paid a visit to the new Director of Bayrak Radio Television Corporation today.

During the visit, Mr Millet wished success to Mr Okan in his new position.

Welcoming the British High Commissioner, BRT Director Ahmet Okan said that determining what kind of a broadcast the BRT will follow, is more important than taking the responsibility as the BRT Director.

We are living in a world of communication and our aim is to move forward towards creating a new understanding of communication. By doing so, it is among our duties to cooperate with all institutions in Cyprus he said.

For his part, the British High Commissioner Peter Millet pointed to the importance of communication services in providing information about social and political developments to the public.

Mr Millet said he is closely interested in the work being carried out by the BRT, adding that its television broadcast owns the primary role in that.

[05] Soyer met with the High Commissioner Peter Millet

(CS)

[06] A new Turkish bank is starting operations in occupied Cyprus

The name of the new bank is Turkish Economic Bank (Turkiye Ekonomi Bankasi) and is one of the oldest banks of Turkey. Cenk Mutluyakali criticises the Turkish banks which operate in occupied Cyprus saying that their only aim is to take the bank deposits and take them to Turkey. They do invest and they do not help the Turkish Cypriot community, he writes.

(CS)

[07] Turkish-French relations after the visit of French FM Undersecretary Philipee Faure to Turkey

Turkish officials told The New Anatolian on Tuesday that the visit of French Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Philipee Faure is a continuation of a new process to improve the chilly ties between the two countries.

Turkey has been angered after France vocally opposed Turkey's accession into the European Union as a full member and the French Parliament moved to accept Armenian claims that Turks committed an act of genocide against them at the turn of the last century.

Turkish officials said the visit was a part of the positive process that started when President Nicholas Sarkozy's special advisor visited Ankara earlier in the summer.

Diplomatic sources told The New Anatolian the United States had a role in the fence mending process. President George W. Bush hosted his French counterpart Nicholas Sarkozy in the United States and urged him to ease his opposition to Turkish membership in the EU. Sources said Sarkozy agreed to make an effort and kept his promise.

Faure held "political consultations" with Turkish Foreign Ministry officials led by his Turkish counterpart Ertugrul Apakan.

Faure was also received by Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator Ali Babacan. During the meeting, Faure conveyed French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's congratulatory message to Babacan. Turkish sources said Kouchner may visit Turkey in the near future.

He visit came at a time when French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a staunch opponent of Turkish membership, softened his stance last Monday, saying France would not block Turkey's accession talks with the EU.

Turkey began accession negotiations with the EU in 2005, but Brussels froze the talks last year in eight of the 35 policy areas candidates must complete. The move was a response to Ankara's refusal to grant trade privileges to EU-member Cyprus, which it does not recognize.

However, in June France blocked talks in one chapter on monetary issues saying this would amount to allowing more Turkish integration into the EU economic system giving Ankara hope that the negotiations would lead to full membership.Faure's meetings in Ankara focused on relations between Turkey and France, Turkey's membership negotiations with the EU and regional matters led by Iraq. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit France and meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the upcoming months, diplomatic sources told The New Anatolian.

Meanwhile, the President of the EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said: "the EU must fulfill its responsibilities vis-a-vis Turkey. We welcome Sarkozy's new stance on Turkey".

However, not all was bright and beautiful. Last week France also spelled out five areas of Turkey's accession talks with the EU that it wants to hold up because they assume the large, poor, mainly Muslim nation will eventually join the 27-nation bloc.

They include agricultural subsidies and regional aid - the EU's two biggest spending programs - as well as the euro and Turkey's place in institutions such as the European Parliament, and European citizenship rights for Turks.The EU agreed unanimously in 2004 to open negotiations with Turkey with the aim of membership, and the executive European Commission rejects the distinction made by France between chapters that imply membership and others that do not.

However, the Commission welcomed Sarkozy's willingness to allow talks with Ankara to go forward, and officials said there was a tacit understanding that the EU executive would not recommend opening talks on chapters it knew Paris opposed.

In June, France blocked the opening of talks between Ankara and Brussels on economic and monetary policy - the groundwork for Turkey to eventually adopt the euro - underlining Sarkozy's oft-repeated opposition to Turkey joining the EU.

Government spokesman Laurent Wauquiez said the five problem areas should be discussed after the 30 other chapters.

Asked when that was, Martinon said:"When we will have settled the 30 others."Sarkozy made clear last Monday that he would allow talks go ahead on other policy areas provided a group of "wise people" is set up to discuss the longer-term future of Europe, including how far its borders should stretch.He said the panel should report back before European Parliament elections in 2009.

[08] Turkish Parliament gives its confidence vote to the new Turkish government

Turkey's new government, formed under Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whos Justice and Development Party (AK Party) swept 47 percent of the votes in the July 22 election, won a vote of confidence in Parliament yesterday, with 337 deputies voting in favor and 197 against.

After the session where Parliament passed the vote of confidence, PM Erdogan made a speech thanking the members of Parliament. He said his government would work with utmost zeal and effort, adding that his party would be open to criticism. Afterwards, Erdogan and his cabinet members visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and observed a minute of silence in his memory.

Parliament convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Parliament Speaker Nevzat Pakdil yesterday to seek a vote of confidence for the new government. The vote of confidence for the new government of Prime Minister Erdogan was carried out shortly after the election of members to parliamentary committees.

The newly formed government announced its program for the next five years in Parliament last Friday. Deputies discussed the new program on Monday this week, thus the votes coming within 24 hours of the discussions over the program demonstrates that the majority of deputies had no reservations regarding the new government.

A total of 276 votes of the 550 in Parliament are enough to get a vote of confidence, so it was already expected that the AK Party, which has 341 seats, would get the vote. Prime Minister Erdogan initially formed his government on August 16, 2007 and presented his list of ministers to former President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on that date. However Sezer asked the prime minister to hand in his Cabinet list to the next president and extended the process of forming the government. Erdogan presented his list to President Abdullah Gul on July 29, who formally approved it the same day.

Following the vote of confidence, Parliament has gone into recess until Oct. 1.

Meanwhile about 20 protestors from a group calling themselves the Platform against Coups gathered in front of Parliament at the time the vote of confidence was taking place. The protestors demanded bringing before justice the members of the National Security Committee that staged the September 12, 1980 military coup. Members of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) Serafettin Halis, Nezir Karabas and Ibrahim Binci also joined the protestors, who sent a petition to the European Court of Human Rights, asking to put the coup generals on trial, from Ankaras central post office after their demonstration.

[09] The auction of Turkish daily Sabah newspaper will take place on November

The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) fund said on Tuesday that the auction regarding seized media assets including daily Sabah will take place on November 7.

Including ATV station, daily Takvim and magazines, the deal which is estimated to be $1.1 billion, will reshape the media sector with a foreign player as TMSF already announced the media mogul Dogan will not be allowed to enter the auction.

It is said that bidders will present their bids in closed envelopes and then raise them in open bidding. TMSF set a deadline for bids of November 6 and a final date for pre qualification on October 15.

TMSF seized the assets from one of Turkey's leading businessmen, Turgay Ciner, in April as it said secret agreements between Ciner and the former owner had come to light.

Last week speaking to a private news channel TMSF Chairman Ahmet Erturk explained that "We want to reach an agreement prior to the actual sale itself. Cash and non-cash investments have been made by Turgay Ciner or by other resources within his group. In accordance with equity, we would like to come to an agreement prior to the sale to ensure a smooth transition, and we are close to our goal. The process to arrive at a conclusive agreement can take a few days. However, simply being unable to agree remains another possibility.""There are two critical factors in our specifications. In order to prevent monopolization within the tender, we will collect names of persons and institutions that should not be allowed to participate in the bidding, as the Competition Authority has compelled us. Should we determine these names prior to the tender, we will exclude them from the bidding process. Should they be determined after its conclusion, we will cancel the tender."That is why TMSF didn't allow Dogan Yayin Holding to enter auction as the media sector is dominated by Dogan Yayin Holding.

Analysts expect foreign players to bid, but a law limits foreign ownership of broadcasters to 25 percent -- meaning foreign investors need Turkish partners -- while there is no limit for ownership of newspapers. Foreigners already in the market include Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Axel Springer. Deutsche Bank also bought a minority stake in Dogan's newspaper arm this year.

[10] Missing Russian businessman reportedly seen in Turkey

Russian billionaire Mikhail Gutseriyev, former head of Russian oil company Russneft, was reportedly last seen in Turkey.

An arrest warrant has been issued against Gutseriyev on charges of tax evasion.

Prosecutors who believe Gutseriyev is outside Russia, said he was last seen in Turkey according to registrations of the prosecutor's office.

As it is not yet clear whether Gutseriyev is in Turkey, some of Russian media organs claim that Gutseriyev is in London while some say he is in Azerbaijan.

Gutseriyev's lawyer Alla Yaminskaya defended that there is not any evidence proving that her client left Russia, and the customs police may have been mistaken. She said Gutseriyev was getting treatment, but did not clarify the kind of the treatment.

Russian billionaire earlier agreed to sell Russneft to Kremlin-friendly Russian magnate Oleg Deripaska for 6 billion USD before he went missing.

EG/

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