Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-09-17

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Information regarding a change in Ankaras policy on the Cyprus problem and a proposal by Turkish bureaucrats for a velvet separation is published in the Turkish Cypriot press in the eve of Guls visit

[02] Avci visited Damascus

[03] The Turkish Cypriot press sees threats against Turkey by the Greek Cypriots

[04] Cem Ozdemir alleges that no development should be expected regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem as long as President Papadopoulos is in power

[05] Erdil Nami met with the Portuguese ambassador in Cyprus

[06] The illegal airport of Trikomo to be open by the breakaway regime

[07] More reactions to President Papadopoulos statements about the Turkish occupation army

[08] The breakaway regime prepares to host two Pediatric Congresses in occupied Keryneia; Turkish Cypriot doctors attended international medical congress in Athens

[09] Erdogan to meet the UN Secretary-General during his stay in New York

[10] Turkish government to brief EU on constitutional reform

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Information regarding a change in Ankaras policy on the Cyprus problem and a proposal by Turkish bureaucrats for a velvet separation is published in the Turkish Cypriot press in the eve of Guls visit

Referring to the issue, Basaran Duzgun, editor-in-chief of Kibris points out to the importance of Guls visit and notes that the most important is what Mr Gul will say and not whether or not the opposition parties will attend the assembly during Guls speech. Even if officially it has been said that the reason of the visit is the fact that traditionally the first visit of the Turkish President is to the occupied areas of Cyprus, it is obvious that the visit will not be a traditional visit, notes Mr Duzgun and adds that in the diplomatic backstage there is the feeling that Ankara will head towards cyclical changes in the Cyprus problem. Mr Duzgun writes, inter alia, the following:

It has not been reflected to the media and therefore to the public opinion, but before the recent meeting of President Talat with the President of the Greek Cypriot Administration Papadopoulos, serious differences of opinion have been created between Talat and the bureaucrats in Ankara who deal with the Cyprus problem. The bureaucrats in Ankara wanted the 8 July process and the Gambari Agreement to be completely abandoned and the Cyprus problem to remain without agenda until the presidential election which will be held in February 2008 in the Greek Cypriot side. They argued that policies such as velvet separation should be put in front of the new Greek Cypriot President.

The velvet separation includes an agreement between the sides for separation and to go their way as two separate entities. The former Czechoslovakia, which has been turned into the Czech Republic and the Republic of Slovakia, is shown as the most powerful example for velvet separation.

Mr Duzgun argues that Mr Talat is not positive to such a development and wonders whether or not this change of policy contains the realities of the Cyprus problem in the conditions we are today. Mr Duzgun writes that the public opinion is expecting a serious statement on the issue of whether or not President Gul and the government in Ankara approve the policy of velvet separation, which has been set forward by the bureaucrats of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Meanwhile, referring to Mr Guls visit, Sami Ozuslu predicts in his regular column in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (17.09.07) that this visit and Guls address to the assembly might be the excuse for the opposition National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP) to shelve their decision for boycotting the works of the assembly.

Mr Ozuslu notes that on Saturday during a discussion regarding the environment that took place at the illegal Near East University (YDU) officials from the UBP and DP participated in the same meeting with an official from the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP).

Yeni Duzen publishes also statements by the MPs of the UBP and DP Mehmet Bayram and Mustafa Arabacioglu respectively, who said that their parties will decide today whether or not they will participate in the session of the assembly, during which Mr Gul will deliver a speech.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (17.09.07) refers also to the issue and reports that in statements to the paper, Dervis Eroglu, former chairman of the UBP, said that the MPs of the party should participate in the meeting which Mr Gul will address.

He said: Mr Gul is not representing any political authority. He is coming here representing the highest position of the Republic of Turkey. With the speech he will deliver at the general assembly, he will give a message to the world. Our boycott is an issue which is completely related to the internal politics. Therefore, in my view the UBPs participating in the meeting would be more appropriate. Of course, this is my personal view.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (17.09.07) refers to the issue under the banner front-page title The UBP will enter into the assembly and reports that according to information which the paper acquired, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, chairman of the UBP who has been visiting London during the last 12 days, said that the MPs of his party will be present at the assembly on Wednesday during the speech of Mr Gul. Our boycott is not to the motherland or to its President, he said.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Avci visited Damascus

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Sozcu newspaper (17.09.07) reports that Mr Avci, who returned to the occupied areas of Cyprus, made a short statement to the paper when he was is Damascus and said: We are exerting efforts to do what has not been done until today. We are working continuously, without resting.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The Turkish Cypriot press sees threats against Turkey by the Greek Cypriots

The paper notes that the issue will be discussed during the Cyprus 10th Maritime Conference which will take place in Limassol between 23 and 26 September. Jacques Barrot, EU Commissions Vice President responsible for Transport will participate in the Conference.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Cem Ozdemir alleges that no development should be expected regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem as long as President Papadopoulos is in power

In statements to ABHaber website, Mr Ozdemir said that nothing is happening now in the EU regarding Cyprus because everybody is waiting for the elections in Turkey, Greece and in the free areas of the island. He alleged that no development should be expected regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem as long as President Papadopoulos is in power.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Erdil Nami met with the Portuguese ambassador in Cyprus

The President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Erdil Nami has expressed the hope that EU member country Portugal will make effort for the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation, as it did for the implementation of the Financial Aid Regulation during its term presidency.

Mr Nami yesterday, received Portugals Ambassador to Lefkosia, Antonio Jorge Jacob Carvalho.

During the reception, Erdil Nami accused the Greek Cypriot side of using its EU membership to isolate the Turkish Cypriot people as in the Bologna process and direct flights.

Noting that any possible solution to the Cyprus problem should only be based on bi-zonal, bi-communal and political equality between the two peoples, Mr Nami said that the Turkish Cypriot side will never give concessions from these parameters and will not accept to be second class citizens in Cyprus.

Also speaking, Portugals Ambassador to Lefkosia Antonio Jorge Jacob Carvalho said that the Cyprus issue was very complex and it is hard to reach a conclusion, but added that his country is continuing to work on the issue.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (15.09.07) reports that Erdil Nami stated during his meeting with the Portuguese ambassador that the Islamic countries and the agreements made with them are seeing as alternatives for the development of the economy and of the trade in occupied Cyprus.

(ML)

[06] The illegal airport of Trikomo to be open by the breakaway regime

The paper reports that some time now there were a lot of allegations about the occupied Trikomo airport. There were allegations that the USA would use the airport in case of a probable crisis in the region of the Middle East. In particular people alleged that the Trikomo airport would become an air base for the USA and US troops would deploy in the region.

Mr Talat though, put an end to these speculations, reports the paper. Talat stated to the paper that the airport will be opened and used by the TRNC and that the works will end soon.

Moreover, the self-styled minister of public works and transportation, Salih Usar, stated that the tender offer process for the illegal Trikomo airport will be launched next week.

Mr Usar said that the passenger transportations will be carried out entirely by the illegal Tympou airport and that the Trikomo airport will be used only for cargo shipping.

According to Mr Usar, first the necessary installations for handling and packing will be built for the shipping of fruits and vegetables at occupied Trikomo airport.

Mr Salih Usar, in an earlier statement announced that many investors from Italy, England, Scotland, Kazakhstan and Turkey expressesed interest to lease the airport of occupied Trikomo.

(E/A)

[07] More reactions to President Papadopoulos statements about the Turkish occupation army

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper reports on the issue under the title Papadopoulos does not want solution, he wants The Hague and writes that the Greek Cypriot side challenges Ankara to solve the issue of the Turkish army in The Hague International Court of Justice.

Afrika newspaper reports on the same issue under the title Invitation for duel in The Hague, and writes that after the reactions from Turkey on President Papadopoulos statements that Our only enemy is the Turkish occupation army, the Greek Cypriot side challenged Ankara and invited it for a legal settlement in The Hague.

Under the title Lets go to The Hague, Ortam writes that the Greek Cypriot side calls on Turkey to go to Hague in order to settle their accounts at The Hague International Court of Justice.

Under the title The Greek Cypriots went mad for good Volkan newspaper reports on the issue and writes that the attacks of the Greek Cypriots against the Turkish army have been increased.

Halkin Sesi newspaper reports on the issue in its inside pages under the title The Greek Cypriot side calls on Turkey to The Hague.

Vatan newspaper writes in its first page that commenting on the issue, the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Turgay Avci criticised strongly the impolite and worthless attacks of the Greek Cypriot Administration as it called the Republic of Cyprus, against the Turkish army which are the guardians for the keeping of peace at the island and the safety of the Turkish Cypriots.

In addition, reporting on the same issue Illegal Bayrak television (16.09.07) broadcast the following:

The main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) has said that the Greek Cypriot Administrations request to carry the Cyprus issue to the International Court of Justice at The Hague is not a coincidence at a time when the South continues to attack on Turkey and Turkish Armed Forces.

In statement issued yesterday, the General Secretary of the UBP Nazim Cavusoglu said that Greek Cypriot Sides tactics were part of a strategy to assimilate the Turkish Cypriot people into a minority within a Greek Cypriot State through using the European Union.

Pointing out that time lost in solving the Cyprus Question serves only to demoralize the public, Mr Cavusoglu called on all parties to come together, to take joint decisions on the Cyprus issue and to stand united against the Greek Cypriot Side.

Mr Cavusoglu also stated that President Mehmet Ali Talat and the government were pursuing wrong policies on the Cyprus issue, which was why he added was the main source of the Greek Cypriot Administrations false expectations and hopes of the Turkish Cypriot Side.

(CS)

[08] The breakaway regime prepares to host two Pediatric Congresses in occupied Keryneia; Turkish Cypriot doctors attended international medical congress in Athens

A delegation from The Cyprus Turkish Pediatrics Association attended the 25th International Congress of Pediatrics in Athens.

The association represented by a delegation consists of six Turkish Cypriot pediatricians.

Speaking to the TAK news agency, the Head of the Cyprus Turkish Pediatrics Association Dr. Cemal Mert said they had the opportunity to learn the latest developments in pediatrics in the world.

Mr Mert also announced that the TRNC will be hosting the 51st National Pediatric Congress and the 7th Turkish World Pediatrics Congress in November.

He said that the congress will be organized jointly with the Turkish National Pediatrics Association and will be under the auspices of his Excellency President Mehmet Ali Talat.

Dr Cemal Mert stated that the congress will be the biggest ever organized in Cyprus where nearly 2 thousand doctors and 200 speakers will be attending.

(ML)

[09] Erdogan to meet the UN Secretary-General during his stay in New York

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will depart from Turkey for the United States on September 20th, it was reported on Saturday.

Erdogan will represent Turkey, together with Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, at the 62nd General Assembly of the United Nations between September 24th and October 3rd, 2007 in New York City.

Erdogan will deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly on September 28th.

Erdogan will hold meetings with dignitaries of over 25 countries while in New York. Erdogan will meet the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon and Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in New York.

Premier Erdogan will participate in the opening session of the New York Stock Exchange.On September 29th, Erdogan is scheduled to meet representatives of American-Turkish associations.

[10] Turkish government to brief EU on constitutional reform

The government will this week take two scheduled meetings as an opportunity to brief European Union officials about ongoing efforts to reform Turkey's Constitution, which was drafted after a military coup in 1980.

Turkish officials attending a meeting of Turkey and the EU Troika in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, will provide up-to-date information about Turkey's reform efforts on Tuesday. In Ankara on the same day, Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat, the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) deputy chairman, will offer an extensive briefing to ambassadors of EU countries in Ankara on the ongoing reform preparations at a meeting hosted by the Portuguese Embassy.

Plans to rewrite the constitution were part of the AK Party's manifesto for the July 22 parliamentary election, which it won with 47 percent of the national vote. The party says the new draft will focus on individual freedom and improving democracy. It is also expected to weaken the powers of the army, which has removed four governments from power since 1960. The draft charter is likely to be presented to the public in early October and go to Parliament early next year.

The EU side is expected to raise expectations for a swift amendment of the infamous Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which critics say restricts freedom of expression, and entry into force of a law that will extend freedoms for minority foundations. EU officials have recently said amendments to Article 301 should not be tied to the comprehensive and time-consuming efforts to reform the constitution, saying the amendment of the article should be a short-term priority.

The European Commission is expected to release a regular progress report assessing Turkey's membership efforts in November. Lack of steps to meet the bloc's short-term expectations could lead to a negative assessment, analysts say. The Turkish delegation going to Portugal will be led by Ambassador Ahmet Acet, deputy undersecretary for the Foreign Ministry. The EU side will comprise senior envoys from term president Portugal, the next term president Slovenia and the commission.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan will meet senior representatives of all ministries and state institutions involved in Turkish EU reform efforts. Babacan and the participating bureaucrats will review the process and assess the steps to be taken.

EG/

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