Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-01-21

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat alleges that the Greek Cypriots must be threatened in order to accept a solution

[02] Statements by Talat on the existence of two separate states and the number of foreign workers in the occupied areas

[03] Cicek says that today Turkey is at the most powerful position, since the very first day when the Cyprus dispute came up

[04] Turkmen: The Cyprus problem is a problem for Turkey not because of the Turkish Cypriots, but because of the EU

[05] Avci returns from Ankara. Statements on Cyprus

[06] Avci met with the president of YOK

[07] Oztoprak leaves for Istanbul

[08] Businessman Ali Ozmen Safas plans for the occupied ares in 2008

[09] Two so-called parliamentarians invited to attend European conference in Brussels

[10] Information on the traffic through the occupied Cypriot ports and airports

[11] Data on the births in the occupied areas of Cyprus during 2007

[12] The drug problem among the Turkish Cypriot youth

[13] The Cyprus Peace Platform will be established in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[14] Denktas supporters clashed with demonstrators who were marching in memory of Hrant Dink in Istanbul

[15] Turkish Minister says five million Turks are living abroad and 1,5 million are EU citizens

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[16] Turkey starts mediation between Baku and Ashgabat over gas row

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat alleges that the Greek Cypriots must be threatened in order to accept a solution

They could affect the structure of the Cyprus problem. Who will win the elections is important, he noted. Mr Talat said: What kind of a negotiation process will there be in 2008 or is there going to be any? Of course I have a hope. I do have, but no one could give any guarantee. In fact Ban Ki-moon said: I will see the situation according to the elections in the south. He claimed that in order for the process which will begin after the elections to be successful, the Greek Cypriots should be threatened that if you run away from the solution I will not recognize you.

He said that this will be a decision which will be revising the UN Security Council resolution adopted in 1964 for Cyprus [Resolution No 186]. This decision will no longer be accepting that the Greek Cypriot side as the government representing Cyprus, he said.

Mr Talat alleged that with the referendums on the Annan Plan it has been registered that the Turkish Cypriots are a people and not a community. He claimed:

According to the UN, every people has the right of self-determination. This is why the Greek Cypriots never say Turkish Cypriot people. They say community. The referendum registered that the Turkish Cypriot community is a people. Recently we said this in Turkey as well. The political equality of the two peoples. I know that the founding states will not be pure. There will not be one population. It will be mixed. If two states, two independent and sovereign states are recognized, then what I said is not valid. But, if it is provided for a united state, a partnership state, the two people will be politically equal. This is the senate in the Annan Plan. If there is going to be a new Annan Plan, the political equality of the two peoples will be there as well. The new partnership state is not the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus. The Security Council has also accepted this.

Mr Talat said that there is a difference between Kosovo and the Turkish Cypriots. This difference, he argued, is that Kosovo established its civilian and military administration after an intervention by NATO and America and that this government acted together with America and the EU.

He added:

What have we done? We have tried to solve it by quarrelling with the world. We declared the TRNC in 1983. The Security Council took two very hurtful decisions: Do not strengthen the Turkish Cypriot state. By quarrelling we came to 2004. We secured harmony for the first time in 2004. We must become like Kosovo. We have to reverse the experience of the years of quarrel. It will take some time. They are still looking at us suspiciously. Do you agree with Guls statement regarding two states, they ask me. I agree because he said the realities. He did not point out the solution. He said this based on the realities. He referred to the current situation. .

(I/Ts.)

[02] Statements by Talat on the existence of two separate states and the number of foreign workers in the occupied areas

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that political equality is the Turkish Cypriot sides first and foremost condition to sit at the negotiating table.

The president was speaking at a debate meeting organized by the Cyprus Turkish Journalists Union last night.

Speaking at the meeting, the President said that it was out of the question for the Turkish Cypriot side to sit at the negotiating table if its political equality was not recognized.

He also said it was no longer possible to refer to the Turkish Cypriot people as a community.

Turkish Cypriots are no longer a community but a people. The whole world has slowly come to accept this. It is not communities but peoples who determine the destinies of states, he added.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people pursued a policy in harmony with the rest of the world, the President expressed the view that an alternative policy would never see acceptance.

He said that the international community was now speaking about the existence of two separate states in Cyprus thanks to the efforts waged by the Turkish Cypriot people to find a solution in line with UN parameters.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.01.08) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat stated that unemployment is the biggest problem the TRNC citizens are facing today and pointed out that 50,000 foreign workers are enrolled in the TRNC, while 5,000 persons are working in the free territories of the Republic of Cyprus.

(ML)

[03] Cicek says that today Turkey is at the most powerful position, since the very first day when the Cyprus dispute came up

He argued: 2008 will be a year when a lot of pressure will be exerted on Turkey regarding the Cyprus problem. Today is the day when Turkey is at the most powerful position, since the very first day when the Cyprus dispute came up. He said that the TRNC has representations in 15 places and added that soon, as a result of the efforts they are exerting, this number will increase to 22. Mr Cicek said that until 1997 they were granting to the TRNC 80 million dollars from their budget and that they increased this number to 213 million dollars until 2002. At the moment 400 million dollars are being given, he added.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkmen: The Cyprus problem is a problem for Turkey not because of the Turkish Cypriots, but because of the EU

Turkmen argued that some of these demands were reasonable, but some of them are impossible to be implemented. For example, he said, the opening of the illegal Tymvou airport does not depend on the EU. Reminding that during 2004, the then EU term presidency assured Turkey that the opening of its sea and airports to the Greek Cypriots would not mean recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Turkmen said: When afterwards we made trouble about it, they hardened their stance.

Mr Turkmen noted that he does not expect a new initiative for a solution after the presidential elections in Cyprus in February and added that in case the Greek Cypriots accept the negotiations, they will come with demands that could not be accepted by Turkey. From this point of view, he said, I do not think that the situation will change. Mr Turkmen noted that the Turkish Cypriots are satisfied with their life, that their economy is rapidly growing and that from this point of view, the Cyprus problem is a problem for Turkey not because of the Turkish Cypriots, but because of the EU issue.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Avci returns from Ankara. Statements on Cyprus.

Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci returned to the Republic last night after completing his contacts in Ankara. Mr. Avci held a series of contacts in the Turkish capital where he also attended the staff training certificate ceremony of a group of junior diplomats from the TRNC Foreign Ministry. The Cyprus issue was the primary subject of discussion during Mr. Avcis contacts.

In an address in Ankara yesterday, Foreign Minister Turgay Avci underlined the need not to miss the opportunity for a solution to the Cyprus problem which is expected to arise following the presidential election in South Cyprus on 17th February.

He said a new solution process might be given a start right after the elections in south.

He stated that Greece and religious authorities will play a determining role in the outcome of the presidential election.

Avci reiterated the Turkish Cypriot sides readiness to sit at the negotiation table for a comprehensive settlement on the island.

Stressing that it is impossible to start from scratch on the solution of the Cyprus problem which has 40 years of history, Mr. Avci said the most comprehensive solution plan presented on the Cyprus issue so far is the Annan Plan.

As for ferry services between the TRNC and the Syrian city of Latakia which have currently been suspended, Mr Avci said ferry services will start again in the coming days by using the Turkish flag on ferries.

Also evaluating the relations between the TRNC and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Foreign Minister announced that the TRNC will be hosting the meetings of the OIC Forum of Tourism Development and the Inspection Committee of OIC and small medium-sized enterprises this year.

[06] Avci met with the president of YOK

Mr Avci told Mr Ozcan that there are many young people in Turkey who cannot enter into universities and that they will exert efforts towards the direction of these peoples studying in the illegal universities in the occupied areas of Cyprus. Thus, he said, they will increase the number of students in the universities.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Oztoprak leaves for Istanbul

The Minister of National Education and Culture Canan Oztoprak leaves the Republic for Istanbul tonight.

Mrs Oztoprak is going to attend a series of round table meetings entitled What kind of a university? which are organized by the Istanbul Technical University.

The Minister will deliver a speech there in which she will be expressing her views on the politics and international recognition in higher education in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

During the round table meetings, a visual presentation will be provided for participants showing available fields and buildings in the TRNC which are planned to be used for the Istanbul Technical Universitys campus.

Mrs Oztoprak is expected to return to the TRNC on Sunday evening.

[08] Businessman Ali Ozmen Safas plans for the occupied ares in 2008

Mr Safa is planning also to bring electricity to the occupied areas of the island with underwater cables. At the moment he is constructing two Skyline hotels in occupied Lapithos and Trikomo. The five-star hotel in occupied Trikomo will have 17 storeys and it will be the highest building in the occupied areas of the island.

He said that a third hotel will be built in occupied Gastreia area. The paper reports that Safakoy, a tourism village built by Mr Safa in occupied Trikomo on an area of 250 donums [a land measure of 1000 square meters] is about to become a city.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Two so-called parliamentarians invited to attend European conference in Brussels

Two MPs from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) are invited to attend the scientific and political conference organized by the European Cervical Cancer Association (ECCA) in Brussels.

CTP Gazimagusa MP Dr. Arif Albayrak and CTP Guzelyurt MP Dr. Nazim Beratli will be attending the ECCA conference titled Prevention politics on uterine cancer in EU countries, which will take place at the European Parliaments building between 21st and 24th January.

At the end of the 4-day conference, participants will sign a manifesto under the title Stop the uterine cancer.

The manifesto will be considered by health ministries of the countries represented at the conference and necessary work will be started on the issue in line with the decisions taken during the conference.

[10] Information on the traffic through the occupied Cypriot ports and airports

(I/Ts.)

[11] Data on the births in the occupied areas of Cyprus during 2007

(I/Ts.)

[12] The drug problem among the Turkish Cypriot youth

According to the results, 3.6 % of the students of primary schools 5th grade said that at least once in their life tried to smoke cigarettes and 12.9 % said that at least once they used alcohol. The percentage of those who smoked at least once increased to 8.7 % in the 8th grade. Furthermore, 33.9 % of the students going to the 8th grade said that at least once in their life they used alcohol. The use of drugs is between 0.6 % and 1 % at the above-mentioned age.

(I/Ts.)

[13] The Cyprus Peace Platform will be established in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Organizations such as the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), the United Cyprus Party (BKP), the New Cyprus Party (YKP), the Turkish Cypriot Primary and Secondary School Teachers Trade Unions KTOS and KTOEOS respectively, the Cyprus EU Association, the Medical Workers Trade Union (TIP-IS) and others will be participating in the new formation, which will be counter-balancing the This country is Ours Platform.

(I/Ts.)

[14] Denktas supporters clashed with demonstrators who were marching in memory of Hrant Dink in Istanbul

The paper writes that the persons who participated in the demonstration for Dinks death anniversary, started their demonstration in Sisli area in Istanbul, where Agos paperīs offices are located, and then continued to march towards Istiklal Avenue. In this area some supporters of Rauf Denktas gathered, since the former Turkish Cypriot leader was participating in a panel under the title Solution proposals for Cyprus , which was taking place at the Istanbul provincial building of the Labour Party. After Mr Denktas entered the building, the two groups clashed. According to AFRIKA, the demonstrators found offending the slogans used by Denktas supporters who were also carrying flags of Turkey and of the TRNC. A policeman and some demonstrators were hurt during the clashes.

(CS)

[15] Turkish Minister says five million Turks are living abroad and 1,5 million are EU citizens

Turkish State Minister Mustafa Said Yazicioglu said Saturday Turkey wants Turkish citizens living abroad to integrate with the society in which they are living without being assimilated or losing their national, religious and ethnic values. "Our government will work seriously to solve problems of Turkish citizens living abroad," he said during a consultative meeting of the German Turkish Associations in Ankara.

Yazicioglu said 5 million Turkish citizens are living in foreign countries, and 1.5 million of them are also citizens of EU member states.

"Language, education and participation in politics are important for integration of our citizens with the societies they are living in," he told the meeting. Yazicioglu said the unemployment problem of youngsters will be solved if these youngsters are educated and are fluent in the language of the countries they are living in.

On the other hand, Yazicioglu said one of the most important problems Turks in foreign countries are facing is voting in Turkish elections.

"We have submitted a law regarding this matter, and I hope it will be legalized as soon as possible," he said.

"Thus, Turkish citizens living abroad can cast their votes by mail, e-mail, at customs gates or ballot boxes," he also said.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[16] Turkey starts mediation between Baku and Ashgabat over gas row

Iran's systematic natural gas cuts to Turkey, taking place in particular when temperatures plummeted, have triggered a renewal of US-backed efforts by Ankara to diversify its gas supplies.

Today's Zaman has learnt that as part of this policy Turkey has recently launched a mediation effort -- or what some Turkish diplomats call its "good offices" -- to help solve a deep-seated dispute between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on the status of the Caspian Sea, aimed at clearing the way for Turkmen gas to arrive in Turkey via the same route used in the transfer of gas from the Azeri Shah Deniz field.

Both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan welcomed Turkish mediation efforts, said Turkish Energy Ministry sources.

Taking into consideration the ongoing sovereignty dispute among the five littoral states (Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Russia and Kazakhstan) over the oil and gas-rich Caspian Sea, Turkish mediation efforts between the two countries may become much more difficult, noted Turkish energy experts speaking to Today's Zaman.

However the same experts recalled that there are some oil and gas fields near the shores of both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan that both countries claim, and that this is not necessarily linked to the overall Caspian Sea legal dispute, but rather a bilateral dispute in which Turkish mediation efforts could hold some sway.

Iran halted its gas supply to Turkey earlier this month, citing unusual weather conditions and a pricing dispute with Turkmenistan. This coincided with a visit paid by Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler to Washington on January 8, accompanying Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

However, as Hacer Gemici from Sabah revealed in her column published on January 19, Iran had already begun reducing gas exports to Turkey in December. According to figures in her column, Iran's exports of gas to Turkey in December was some 230 million cubic meters lower than usual, prompting Ankara to take the issue to an international court of arbitration.

Meanwhile, returning from Washington after talks with US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, Guler told CNN Turk on January 11 that Turkey and the US had decided to work jointly on exploring Iraqi oil and gas potential.

But as the recent row between Iraqi Kurdish officials and the central Iraqi government in Baghdad has shown, an oil and gas law -- still pending approval by the Iraqi parliament -- that would open the way to petroleum exploration in Iraq is not likely to see implementation in the near future.

The Iraqi government recently announced that earlier oil deals reached between the regional Kurdish administration in northern Iraq and foreign oil companies are invalid.

Turkey's dance with Iran

Renewed Turkish efforts to bring Turkmen gas to Turkey while planning to explore Iraqi energy resources are not expected to remedy Turkey's energy crisis in the medium term, as Turkey is reliant on foreign sources for almost 80 percent of its gas needs. Iran is Turkey's second-biggest gas supplier after Russia.

In July 2007 Turkey signed new deals with Iran, estimated at around $3.5 billion, which included the exploration of Iran's Southern Pars gas fields. But as a senior Turkish bureaucrat asserted recently, behind Iran's decision to stop supplying Turkey with gas lay its frustration over the Turkish delay in making the Pars agreement effective.

Yusuf Gunay, then-president of the Energy Market Regulatory Agency (EPDK), also stated during an interview with Zaman on January 9 that the United States lay behind the Turkish delay. The US has on one hand been warning its close ally Turkey not to engage in investments in Iran, noting that it could fall afoul of the US 1996 sanctions act. On the other hand, the US is pushing Turkey to be active in the resolution of disputes between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan over their energy resources.

It has been estimated that Turkey's investment and exploration of gas alone in the Southern Pars field will cost around $7-8 billion, while this process will last around five years. Turkish energy experts who oppose fresh Turkish energy deals with Iran stress that the Pars gas deal would therefore not remedy Turkey's immediate energy crisis.

However, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on January 14 during a visit to Madrid that Turkey would go ahead with new deals with Iran. When reminded of opposition from both the US and Israel over Turkey's new energy deals with the Iranians, Erdogan stated that it was not the US and Israel who would supply Turkey with gas.

But Turkey is understood to have been engaged in a political dance over future deals with Iran, in an attempt to force the US to take swift moves in making both Iraqi and the Caspian energy resources available before it can use extra Iranian gas resources.

The US has been a staunch supporter of Turkey's becoming a major corridor for carrying Caspian oil and gas resources to world markets.

EG/

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