Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-01-10

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Interview by Talat to illegal Bayrak television on the Cyprus problem

[02] Statements by Soyer to TRT regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus problem

[03] Cakici: The UN parameters speak about a united Cyprus

[04] British envoy to Cyprus visits the Foreign Relations Committee at the Turkish Parliament

[05] Abdullah Gul meets UN S-G Ban Ki-moon and talks to an International think-tank

[06] Rauf Denktas says Turkish Cypriots not to Give up their Independence

[07] Turkish Cypriot claims that the ECHR approved the so-called Immovable Property Commission

[08] Problems in the tourism sector during 2008 according to the chairman of Union of the Turkish Cypriot Travel and Tourist Agents

[09] Historical grave rooms found in occupied Keryneia

[10] Erdogan receives American senators in Ankara

[11] Belgians descended from Oguz Turks, says Turk academic

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Interview by Talat to illegal Bayrak television on the Cyprus problem

In his interview, Mr. Talat said: Everything depends on the Greek Cypriots attitude in order for the year 2008 to be a year of solution. He went on and said that he is not that much optimistic if he considers the messages that he is receiving to this end. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side is after a troublesome Federation and this is not possible to realize. Stressing that the partnership, which will be established will not be the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus, he said: No one should have such an illusion. The Turkish Cypriot leader went on and said that during the Ban Ki-moon-Gul meeting, the Turkish President will ask the UN Secretary-General to undertake a new initiative in the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the forthcoming presidential elections in the free areas of Cyprus, Mr. Talat said: After the elections in the Greek Cypriot side if the president changes but the existing political stance continues then the division and difference existing between the sides will deepen further.

Saying that the solution that will be found should have the blessing of all the parties involved, Mr. Talat said that if the other side comes forward claiming that the solution should be the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus, that all the settlers will leave, that there will be no guarantee agreement and that there will be no power sharing, then it is not possible to reach an agreement. He said that since the Cyprus problem is an international problem and the Republic of Cyprus is established with an international agreement then the new state will be established with a new international agreement replacing the Republic of Cyprus. In the end, Turkey, Greece, Britain and the sides in Cyprus will be included in this international agreement. They have to agree, otherwise the international agreement will not be considered changed.

He went on and said that once the so-called isolations of the Turkish Cypriots are removed by the international community, the Greek Cypriot side will be obliged to sit around the negotiation table and start discussing power sharing with the Turkish Cypriots. He then listed the elements of the possible settlement which included power sharing and equal political partnership. Only this way it is possible to reach an agreement, Mr. Talat declared. He stressed that for the Turkish Cypriot side the issue of guarantees is a very important issue. An agreement that does not include guarantees is not accepted by our people, Mr. Talat stated. Referring to the 8 July agreement, Mr. Talat said that the Greek Cypriot side should give up hiding behind the 8 July agreement and stop using it as a delaying tactics for gaining time.

As for the Annan Plan, Mr. Talat had the following to say: Whatever happens, the Annan Plan is a framework in the negotiations. It is a basis. It is there. It did not come out of the blue; it is the outcome of the years of negotiations. It is a legal reality. The Turkish Cypriots went and exercised their right to self-determination. This had happened before the eyes of the whole world. The Turkish Cypriots expressed their self-determination and the right to be a separate entity in a very clear manner, so again the Turkish Cypriots will decide. There is no other way.

Mr. Talat further said that the Cyprus Problem should be settled before Turkeys full EU membership. When asked to explain the reasons why he is stressing that in a possible solution there will be two founding states with equal status, Mr. Talat said: Why we are stressing this? The Greek Cypriot side is not accepting this. It is not accepting the equal status. It is demanding federation but it wants a troublesome federation. This is not possible. As a result, we are forced to stress this; two founding states with equal status. The new partnership will not be the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus. No one should have such illusion. Continuation of the Republic of Cyprus is tantamount to nullifying all the Turkish Cypriot administrations starting from the Autonomous Turkish administration up to the TRNC. This is not possible. For this reason we are establishing a new partnership where we will be equal. We say Turkeys guarantorship. We stress that as well, because the Greek Cypriots oppose to it.

(MHY)

[02] Statements by Soyer to TRT regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus problem

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that the Greek Cypriot side will have to answer to the European Union if a deadlock arises in the new talksī process to be launched following the Presidential elections in south Cyprus next month.

The Prime Minister evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem to a television program on Turkish state television last night.

Stating that Turkeys and the Turkish Cypriot sides policy on the Cyprus Problem aimed at creating a bi-zonal partnership based on the political equality of the two peoples and two states, the Prime Minister said that this policy will be reiterated by the Turkish President Gul throughout his ongoing contacts in the United States.

Pointing out that the European Union shared the same expectation as the Turkish Cypriot side for a solution to be found to the Cyprus Problem on the basis of political equality following the elections on the Greek Cypriot Side, Soyer said that the Turkish Cypriot side will focus all its efforts in the new period on achieving a political settlement.

The Greek Cypriot side should be the one to answer to the European Union if a deadlock is experienced in efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus Problem after next months elections in South Cyprus, he added.

[03] Cakici: The UN parameters speak about a united Cyprus

Speaking to the reporters after the meeting Mr. Cakici said that the expression: Two states, two peoples, two religions and two democracies are todays tactics but not the reality and that the UN parameters speak about a united Cyprus.

He went on said: All the UN parameters speak about a federal and united Cyprus. The Annan plan as well envisages a bicommunal, bizonal federal Cyprus. There too are also constituent states; these are federal states, and not con-federal states nor the way the UBP and DP explain. It has not the meaning of two states, an expression which is in use recently.

[04] British envoy to Cyprus visits the Foreign Relations Committee at the Turkish Parliament

On the same issue, Turkish daily Radikal newspaper (10.01.08) reports the following under the title Not in words, substantial pressure on the Greek Cypriots:

Yesterday Murat Mercan, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the TGNA who met with Rayan stated that they are not very excited from the British approach. Mr. Mercan said:

I do not believe that any attempt will be successful as long as it does not provide the political equality between the two communities and as long as it does not bare the approach of two founding states. An international pressure should be put to the Greek Cypriot side. This international pressure should not be in words, but needs to be substantial. Otherwise, the Greek Cypriot side is benefited more than any one by the non-solution and therefore, it wants the continuation of the non-solution.

(MHY/ITs)

[05] Abdullah Gul meets UN S-G Ban Ki-moon and talks to an International think-tank

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.01.08) also reports about President Guls speech at the Woodrow Wilson Center, which is an International think-tank. In his speech Mr. Gul referring to Turkeys EU accession process said that often the Cyprus problem is brought before them as an excuse in Turkeys EU relations, said: We are very sorry that the Cyprus problem is being used in our relations.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Bugun newspaper (10.01.08) under the front-page title, Double warning from Gul to the USA, reports that the Turkish President, Mr Abdullah Gul, answering a question at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington, said: In the same way that a political solution is not desired for the Al-Qaeda, the same is not desired for the PKK. You cannot implement on the TRNC the embargo you implemented on Saddam. The paper continues: Gul spoke clearly on the TRNC issue. He indicated that Cyprus is being used as an excuse in the relation with the EU.

The paper continues in its inside pages under the title, The Cyprus excuse creates regret, that Mr Gul replied to a question regarding how the Cyprus problem will affect Turkeys process to the EU. He reminded that the Annan plan was accepted by everyone in the world and in Turkey, but the Greek Cypriots did not support it. Gul stated that Turkeys EU full membership process will continue and said: The Cyprus problem is used as an excuse in the relations with the EU. We are sad that the Cyprus problem is being used. The embargo implemented on Saddam is wrong to be implemented on the TRNC.

(MHY/ EA)

[06] Rauf Denktas says Turkish Cypriots not to Give up their

Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.01.08) reports the following from Antalya:

Rauf Denktas, the first president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said Wednesday Turkish nation will not give up their independence whatever the USA or the EU want or do.

"If the island (Cyprus) is yielded to the Greek Cypriots or the Greeks, Turkey will no more be a country open to seas," Denktas told in Antalya.

Antalya's Muratpasa Municipality and Turkish Cypriot Cultural Association constructed "Cyprus Martyrs Park" in Dutlubahce district.

"Losing Cyprus means making concessions of Lausanne (Treaty)," Denktas also said.

[07] Turkish Cypriot claims that the ECHR approved the so-called Immovable Property Commission

(MHY)

[08] Problems in the tourism sector during 2008 according to the chairman of Union of the Turkish Cypriot Travel and Tourist Agents

Speaking at a dinner given to Turkish Cypriot media representatives, Mr. Ozbek Dedekorkut, said that because of the delays they have lost the 2008 and he accused the so-called Tourism Ministry of not taking the necessary measures at the right time.

(MHY)

[09] Historical grave rooms found in occupied Keryneia

Historical grave ruins have been discovered during the excavation work being carried out at the Girne American University to build the half-olympic swimming pool in front of the Millenium Park Building.

The ruins were discovered by a doser operator while doing the excavation work. The excavation work was suspended after discovering the historical grave ruins in the campus of the Girne American University.

Police Directorship of Girne (occupied Keryneia) and the Girne District Directorate of the Department of Ancient Monuments and Museums were immediately informed about the issue.

Archeologists from the Department started new excavation work for inspection and the region has been declared as the area of protection for the next 6 days.

BRT correspondent says during the excavation work, bone ruins were also found in the ruins which are said to be grave rooms.

Which period the ruins belong to will be determined after the completion of the excavation work in the area.

[10] Erdogan receives American senators in Ankara

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Martinez said they had a very productive talk during which they discussed topics of mutual interest like terrorism and enhanced friendly relations.

Martinez regarded the meeting between US President Bush and PM Erdogan on November 5th 2007 as an important step in that direction and said it consolidated the mutual understanding in counter terrorism.

Martinez noted that this mutual understanding would be further enhanced during the meeting between Turkish President Abdullah Gul and his American counterpart George W. Bush.

Martinez added that they had also discussed issues of energy supplies, increasing costs and scarcity of resources and ways to cope with these through cooperation.

[11] Belgians descended from Oguz Turks, says Turk academic

In a move that is destined to bring Belgians and Turks together as brothers, Professor Ahmet Arslan said that when the Selcuk part of the Oguz tribe formed a state in Central Asia, their capital was called Genk, having the same name as the city of Genk in Belgium.

He also said the symbol of Genk Municipality was a double headed eagle, and added as his conclusive proof, In the Selcuk tribe, the same symbol was used. One head symbolized Interior Oguz while the other Exterior Oguz.

Referring to the city of Genk in Belgium, Arslan said: There are many dark haired, light skinned people there. This is the basic characteristic of the Oguz tribe.

Arslan said Kurds were also a branch of the Oguz Tribe. I think the Kazikurtlari seen as part of the Oguz tribe are linked to Kurds. Kurds appear to be from the Exterior Oguz, said the academic. The molecular genetic studies the department had conducted showed the main migration route from Central Asia followed the north west and west of the Caucasus Mountains, Arslan said. He said there were close blood ties between Europeans and Turks as a result of these tribal migrations.

EG/

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