Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-10-12

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] More on the ferryboat services to Syria

[02] Avci denies direct flight plans to Kyrgyzstan

[03] Israeli bank to establish a branch in occupied Cyprus

[04] Turkey reacts to Nikiforos military exercise at the time it maintains 40.000 occupation troops in Cyprus

[05] Sheep and goats in occupied Cyprus are infected with the virus disease scrapie

[06] The former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder accept Soyers invitation to visit occupied Cyprus

[07] The so-called minister of Transportation due to Germany for holding contacts with German MPs

[08] Turkish Finance Minister arrived in occupied Cyprus; economic projects between Turkey and occupied Cyprus on his agenda

[09] More on the environment disaster in occupied Cyprus

[10] The USA to use the Cyprus card in order to stop Turkey from entering into Northern Iraq

[11] The US Committee of Foreign Affairs approves bill on the recognition of the Armenian genocide

[12] Hrant Dink´s son and editor of Agos newspaper sentenced for insulting Turkishness

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] More on the ferryboat services to Syria

Speaking to reporters, the so-called Foreign Minister Turgay Avci said that they will continue to establish and develop bilateral contacts. We are implementing the proactive policy. Now we are leading and the Greek Cypriot administration follows us, Mr. Avci said.

Replying to a question whether the Cyprus government missed the Latakia ship, Mr. Avci replied: The Greek Cypriot administration will miss a lot of ships, that is: the Greek Cypriot intransigence and the mentality that I do whatever I want and I could strangle the Turkish Cypriots will gradually end. He said that the Greek Cypriot administration continues to exert heavy pressure on Syria in order to stop the ferry services to Latakia.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (11.10.07) broadcast the following statements of the self-styled prime minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer during his meeting with the co-Chairperson of the German Green Party Claudi Roht the other day:

Touching upon the issue of ferry services launched between Latakia and Gazimagusa (occupied Famagusta port), the Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that it would be wrong to interpret this as Syrias diplomatic recognition of the TRNC but added that it was an important step in the way of removing the international isolation imposed on North Cyprus.

The issue of the ferry boat services is also reported in Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (12.10.07) under the title Special Bayram holiday trips from the TRNC to Syria

(MHY)

[02] Avci denies direct flight plans to Kyrgyzstan

The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) on Thursday denied recent news reports that the KKTC is preparing to initiate direct flights to the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan.

Recent reports in Greek Cypriot newspapers had claimed that the reason for a visit from Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis to Kyrgyzstan was Turkish Cypriots plans to launch direct flights to that country. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, KKTC Foreign Affairs Minister Turgay Avc1 said the Turkish Cypriot government had no such plans. "The Greek Cypriot administration came up with that [the direct flight story] itself to cover up for the unsuccessful Kyrgyzstan visit of Marcouillis. They said she went there 'to stop direct flights.' No such decision has been taken," said Avc1.

[03] Israeli bank to establish a branch in occupied Cyprus

The newly appointed Israeli ambassador to Turkey Gabby Levy noted that an Israeli bank would establish a branch in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC). Israel's largest bank, Hapoalim, which bought Turkish C Bank, operated as Bank Pozitif, is planning to open a branch in Lefkosia (Nicosia) in the KKTC. Bank Pozitif has a 53 percent stake in Hapoalim. Officials gave no date for the opening, but a branch will be operational soon, they said. Stressing the two countries strategic relations, Levy confirmed that an energy project started last year and comprising oil, natural gas, water and electricity pipelines would be realized with Turkey.

[04] Turkey reacts to Nikiforos military exercise at the time it maintains 40.000 occupation troops in Cyprus

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that Greek Cypriot administration escalates tension in the island and threatens stability in East Mediterranean, and underlined the importance of Turkey's role in the island to preserve peace as the guarantor country.

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded that the Greek Cypriot National Guard has been performing "Nikiforos" military exercise from October 9th to 14th this year.

It said that the Greek Cypriot National Guard practiced violence against Turkish Cypriots after the partnership in the island was terminated by the Greek Cypriots in 1963.

The ministry said that this exercise coincides with efforts by the Turkish side --for a fair, comprehensive solution on political equity basis-- which came to naught because of Greek Cypriots' uncompromising attitude.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (11.10.07) broadcast the following:

Deputy Prime Minister- Foreign Minister Turgay Avci has made a strong reaction to the Nikiforos Military Exercise 2007 held by the Greek Cypriot National Guard in the South.

Being in such a need for providing support for the solution of the Cyprus problem, the Greek Cypriot side is holding exercises which encourages distrust and tension both on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This proves the Greek Cypriot point of view on the Cyprus issue, he said.

In a written statement, Foreign Minister Turgay Avci stressed that the Nikiforos Military Exercise held in the South proves the fact that the Greek Cypriot side owns an insincere manner towards the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot Administration of acting in violation of the agreement which envisaged putting an end to such military exercises, Mr. Avci pointed to the fact that the Greek Cypriot side has been holding such exercises for the last three years.

During this years exercise, the Greek Cypriot Side has displayed its weapon systems worth of hundreds of millions of Cyprus liras, the Foreign Minister said.

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side supported the agreement on ending such military exercises with the belief that such an action would contribute to the creation of mutual trust on the island, Mr. Avci said it is unacceptable that the Greek Cypriot side continues to violate the agreement unilaterally.

[05] Sheep and goats in occupied Cyprus are infected with the virus disease scrapie

The paper reports that the existence of the disease was also confirmed by the chairman of the Union of the Veterinary Doctors Huda Hudaoglu.

The sheep and goat breeders from the occupied villages of Afania and Kalopsida blamed the so-called state farm being responsible for the spread of the disease. They stressed that for the last four years, animals infected with scrapie were known in the occupied area and no measures were taken against it.

A breeder from the occupied Afania said that he had bought nine animals from the so-called State Breeding Farm which were affected with the disease.

(MHY)

[06] The former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder accept Soyers invitation to visit occupied Cyprus

During the meeting Mr. Schroeder accepted an invitation by Soyer to visit the occupied areas. Speaking to reporters after the meeting which lasted one hour, Mr. Schroeder said that he had told Mr. Soyer that demanding the removal of the isolations is a moral and just demand and that the EU had a moral responsibility on this issue as well.

(MHY)

[07] The so-called minister of Transportation due to Germany for holding contacts with German MPs

(MHY)

[08] Turkish Finance Minister arrived in occupied Cyprus; economic projects between Turkey and occupied Cyprus on his agenda

The Turkish Minister of Finance Kemal Unakitan arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus this afternoon.

Shortly after his arrival, Mr Unakitan was received by President Mehmet Ali Talat and acting Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Turgay Avci. Turkish Minister of Finance Kemal Unakitan, who is being accompanied by his wife, was greeted at Ercan (occupied Tymbou) airport by the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosia Turkekul Kurttekin and other officials.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, Mr Unakitan expressed his desire to see a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus free of international isolation and integrated with the rest of the world.

Mr. Unakitan was later received by President Mehmet Ali Talat and acting Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci.

Meanwhile, the TRNC Finance Minister Ahmet Uzun who was in Ankara for contacts returned to the republic together with Mr Unakitan.

Earlier, Mr Uzun and his Turkish counterpart exchanged their views on the TRNC economy, including the economic projects scheduled for next year during a meeting in Ankara.

[09] More on the environment disaster in occupied Cyprus

One thousand tones of untreated sewage poured into the sea yesterday following the collapse of one of the walls housing the Girne (occupied Keryneia) Water Purification Installation.

The incident took place in the area between the Girne Officers Compound and Kasgar Court.

The government has set up a crisis desk to deal with the local environmental disaster. The area is in a mess as 42 tones of untreated sewage water and some liquid wastes continue leaking into the sea per hour.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Asim Vehbi, announced some of the immediate measures taken by the Crisis Desk.

He said that immediate work has been started by experts to transfer the rest of the non-purified water into two tanks which are being built next to the collapsed part of the Girne Water Purification Installation. He informed that the tanks will be ready for use by tomorrow.

The Minister stated that after disinfecting the non-purified water stored in the two depots within 24 hours, the water will be pumped into open sea where the current is dominant. Fortunately, a new purification installation is being built next to the collapsed one and it will be ready for use within 3 or 4 months. This is a big chance, the Minister added.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources also warned citizens not to go swimming or fishing in the area.

Adding that there is nothing that can be done about the pollution covering the sea, Asim Vehbi said that the only thing to do is to wait for the sea to clean out the pollution itself.

[10] The USA to use the Cyprus card in order to stop Turkey from entering into northern Iraq

(MHY)

[11] The US Committee of Foreign Affairs approved bill on the recognition of the Armenian genocide

The Turkish President Abdullah Gul has strongly reacted to the vote by the US Committee on Foreign Affairs in the US House of Representatives recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide.

He said that the resolution backed by the US Congressional committee was unacceptable and not binding.

As in the past, the decision has no validity and respectability for the Turkish people, the President said.

Twenty seven members of the committee voted in favor of the resolution, while twenty one members voted "against".

Turkey has denounced the vote by the US congressional committee recognizing the so-called genocide.

Evaluating the decision to the Anadolu News Agency, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that the attitude adopted at the US Committee on Foreign Affairs did not befit representatives of such a great power like the United States.

He said that this unacceptable decision, like the similar ones in the past, has no validity and respectability for the Turkish people.

Unfortunately, some politicians in the United States have once again closed their ears to calls and sacrificed important matters to petty domestic politics in spite of calls to common sense, he added.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State expressed its sorrow over the approval of a resolution regarding Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915 by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sean McCormack, spokesman for the U.S. Department of States, said in a statement that they regretted that the resolution was passed by the committee and sent to the House of Representatives.

The U.S. administration maintains its strong opposition to this resolution, passage of which may do grave harm to U.S.-Turkish relations and to U.S. interests in Europe and the Middle East, he said.

McCormack also added that the bill will not improve relations between Turkey and Armenia, and will not serve efforts aimed at achieving progress between Turks and Armenians to reach a compromise over the 1915 incidents.

President Bush had argued against a vote in favor of the bill, saying "its passage would do great harm to our relations with a key ally in NATO and in the global war on terror".

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.10.07) reports the following:

Turkish Ambassador to the United States Nabi Sensoy was recalled to Ankara for consultations after the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Relations passed the resolution regarding Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915.

Sources said that Sensoy will hold a series of talks in Ankara on the decision of the committee and on the process to prevent passage of the resolution by the full House.

[12] Hrant Dink´s son and editor of Agos newspaper sentenced for insulting Turkishness

An Istanbul Court on Thursday found the son of assassinated journalist Hrant Dink guilty of insulting Turkish identity but spared him a jail term.

Arat Dink and a colleague, Serkis Seropyan, were given a one-year suspended prison term after reproducing an interview in their newspaper with Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who was killed in January. The judges at the court ruled that Dink and Seropyan, the chief editor and head writer for bilingual newspaper Agos, should not go to prison because they had no criminal record. The two journalists were charged under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which calls for the punishment of those who insult Turkishness.

The interview with Hrant Dink was published in July 2006, when he was editor-in-chief of Agos. The late Dinks comments often outraged Turkish nationalists, and he was also found guilty of insulting Turkish identity and given a six month suspended jail term. He was gunned down outside the Agos offices at the beginning of this year. The trial of his teenage self-confessed murderer and a number of alleged accomplices began in July.

EG/

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