Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-02-28

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

[01] Statements by Talat on the Cyprus problem; Comprehensive talks may start in April

[02] Statements by the British High Commission on the Cyprus problem

[03] Tahsin Ertugruloglu, said that the results of the election in the Republic of Cyprus will not bring any openings

[04] Yonluer stated that the policy of the recognition of the TRNC must be persuaded

[05] Honey and fish trade from the occupied areas to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[06] US Defense Secretary arrives in Ankara - It is expected to ask Turkeys support in the fight against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan

[07] US Vice President cancels his official visit in Turkey

[08] Istanbul to host energy meeting of Iraq, Turkey, US

[09] Iraqs Talabani accepts President Gulīs invitation to visit Turkey

[10] Turkey to host Third Iraqi International Fair

[11] Babacan to attend Southeast Europe Cooperation Process Meeting in Sofia

[12] Turkish president approves law which enables foreigners to establish new foundations in the country

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[13] Christofias does not give the chance to Talat to consult with Ankara

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Talat on the Cyprus problem; Comprehensive talks may start in April

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that comprehensive negotiations on the Cyprus Problem could start after April.

President Talat also underlined the need to solve the Cyprus Problem before the end of 2008.

The President was speaking with a group of reporters on the Akis program, broadcast on BRTs first channel last night.

Speaking on the program, the President said that it was possible for the UN Secretary-General to take on a new initiative on the Cyprus Problem in line with a report to be prepared by a UN mission expected to arrive on the island next month.

Stating that the new partnership state that would emerge after a possible solution would be a virgin birth, the President warned that a failure to establish a new partnership state would result in the assimilation of the Turkish Cypriot people into the Greek Cypriot State.

Explaining that he had not yet found a chance to exchange views with the newly elected Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and therefore had no knowledge of his policies on the Cyprus Issue, the President said that the best thing to do was to give Mr Christofias time to determine his policies.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot Sides polices on the Cyprus Issue were clear and that the Annan Plan would be a fundamental reference during the talks, President Talat said that the international isolations on the Turkish Cypriot people could only be completely removed following a comprehensive settlement on the island.

In any case it is our absolute desire for the isolations to be removed he said, adding that this was something the Turkish Cypriot Side wished independent of a solution.

The President pointed out that such a move would serve to build mutual trust between the two communities.

The President also added that it was out of the question for Turkey to open its ports to Greek Cypriot registered vessels before the removal of the international isolations on north Cyprus.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.02.08) reported from occupied Lefkosia:

President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Wednesday that comprehensive talks may start in April in Cyprus in case the United Nations (UN) takes the initiative.

Responding to the questions of reporters in a tv program, Talat said a UN preparation team would arrive in the island at the end of March. He said the team would give information to U.N. Secretary-General and U.N. Security Council after the visit.

Talat said Annan Plan would be fundamental reference during the talks, reiterating that division in the island would be permanent in case a solution can not be found.

Responding to another question, Talat said European Union (EU) was a cooperation mechanism and was not the guarantor of anybody. He underscored that the EU would not be the guarantor of them.

Talat said even if Turkish and Greek Cypriot parties agree to alter guarantee and alliance agreement, approval of Turkey, Greece and Britain was needed.

[02] Statements by the British High Commission on the Cyprus problem

The British High Commissioner Peter Millet has stressed that the new solution process in Cyprus creates the opportunity for a good progress towards the reunification of the island.

In a press conference today, Mr Millet underlined the need for the two leaders of the island to adopt an open-minded and flexible approach while working towards a solution.

Reminding that the newly-elected Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias has expressed his commitment towards establishing dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot side, Mr Millet said he believes that the Turkish Cypriot side will respond to this initiative positively.

Highlighting the importance of dialogue between the two sides, Millet said that the Cyprus problem is owned by Cypriots and it is up to Cypriots to solve the problem while the United Nations will be facilitating efforts aimed at a settlement.

He added that UK, as a guarantor power, is ready to provide support to all peaceful efforts on the island.

Speaking of benefits of a solution in Cyprus, the British High Commissioner stated that economic development, political stability and the full EU membership of Cyprus will be the big prizes of a solution.

Continuing division of the island is of no benefit to anyone, he added.Peter Millet went on to say that the 8th July Agreement is a very good framework and tool that can be used for a settlement as it underlines the need for establishing a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal state with two constituent states having one common external voice.

Also touching upon the pessimism among people, Mr Millet that said the opening of the Lokmaci Barricade (Ledra street) can play a significant role in developing trust between the two peoples of the island and expressed the hope that this can take place in March.

Stating that core issues of the Cyprus problem are still going to create some difficulties in the negotiations process, the Commissioner said without dialogue you dont have compromise, and without compromise you dont have agreement.

[03] Tahsin Ertugruloglu, said that the results of the election in the Republic of Cyprus will not bring any openings

He went on and said that he still have difficulties understanding why the Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan.

Evaluating the declaration of Kosovos independence, he said that it will be a very positive initiative for the TRNC and added that after this development the Cyprus problem will proceed rabidly to a solution.

(CS)

[04] Yonluer stated that the policy of the recognition of the TRNC must be persuaded

(CS)

[05] Honey and fish trade from the occupied areas to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus

(CS)

[06] US Defense Secretary arrives in Ankara. It is expected to ask Turkeys support in the fight against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan

Hours before his scheduled talks with Turkish officials in Ankara today, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates cautioned that Turkey must limit its military operations against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq to days or a couple of weeks rather than months.

Gates said yesterday that Turkey should not rely on military action alone in dealing with PKK members, but also employ initiatives that address economic and social conditions.

In addition to Turkeys ongoing operation inside Iraq, Afghanistan is expected to be one of the priority topics to be discussed Gates talks here. There has been speculation that the US, which has been supplying real-time intelligence to Turkey -- key in accurately determining the PKK targets -- may now press Ankara to send combat troops to Afghanistan to fight al-Qaeda terrorists. However, Turkey had previously pledged to contribute with around 24 officers to train Afghan military personnel, refusing to send additional troops for combat missions.

[07] US Vice President cancels his official visit in Turkey

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney cancelled his official visit to Turkey, which was due in March. Sources told hurriyet.com.tr. Cheney didn't specify any reason for canceling his visit.

[08] Istanbul to host energy meeting of Iraq, Turkey, US

While the United States will be represented by Matt Bryza, US deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, at the meeting, Turkey is likely to be represented by Murat Ozcelik of the Foreign Ministry, the deputy of Turkey's special envoy for Iraq, US and Turkish officials told Today's Zaman on Wednesday. Iraqi officials could not be reached for information on the issue. Officials will focus on ways of transporting Iraqi natural gas to the European market through Turkey. The Saturday meeting is being arranged within the context of an expanded platform of Iraq's neighbors. In November, Istanbul hosted a foreign ministerial level meeting of this platform consisting of Iraq's neighbors, permanent members of the UN Security Council and the G8 group of countries.

At the time the participants agreed to "reaffirm working groups" functions to provide essential input and recommendations for political-level meetings of neighbors to enable them to take concrete decisions and contribute to Iraq's ongoing process, as well as regional stability, and in this context, endorse the recommendations proposed by the three working groups already formed and decide to maintain as long as required these working groups on energy, security and refugees created at the first expanded neighbors conference held in Sharm el-Sheikh.

[09] Iraqs Talabani accepts President Gulīs invitation to visit Turkey

A Turkish diplomatic delegation --led by Prime Ministry Chief Adviser Prof. Ahmet Davutoglu-- met with the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in Baghdad on Wednesday. Bilateral relations between Turkey and Iraq as well as PKK terrorist organization issue were discussed in the meeting.

The delegation conveyed a formal letter of Turkish President Abdullah Gul who invited Talabani to visit Turkey. Talabani accepted the invitation, and said he would visit Turkey in an appropriate time.

Iraqi FM Hoshyar Zebari also attended the meeting.

[10] Turkey to host Third Iraqi International Fair

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) will promote the "Third Iraqi International Fair" which will take place in Turkish southeastern province of Gaziantep.

TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, Iraqi Ambassador in Ankara Sabah Omran as well as many Iraqi officials will attend the introductory press conference in Ankara on Thursday.

The fair --which will be held between May 22nd and 25th, 2008-- is the only fair which Iraqi Trade Ministry supports abroad.

The trade volume between Turkey and Iraq has reached 2.5 billion USD in 2007. Iraq is considered as one of the biggest commercial partners of Turkey. More than 900 companies from 30 countries participated in last year's fair.

[11] Babacan to attend Southeast Europe Cooperation Process Meeting in Sofia

Turkish FM and Chief Negotiator for the EU talks Ali Babacan will represent Turkey at an informal meeting of foreign ministers of the Southeast Europe Cooperation Process in Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

According to a MFA statement, the foreign ministers will discuss developments regarding Kosovo, the entire region, as well as matters related to transformation of Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe to Regional Cooperation Council.

[12] Turkish president approves law which enables foreigners to establish new foundations in the country

New foundations will also be able to open branches and representations by making declaration to Foundations Directorate. Foundations will obtain property and manage them without taking any permission. They will also be able to pursue international activities and cooperation, and open branches and representations in foreign countries.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[13] Christofias does not give the chance to Talat to consult with Ankara,

The paper writes that no one knows what kind of contacts Mehmet Ali Talat had with Ankara for the meeting he is going to have next week with Christofias, which is going to take place under the latters pressure and notes that if Talat does not take Ankaras approval, he cannot take any initiative here, even for the opening of the Lokmaci (Ledra Street) crossing point. Talat did not verify or deny the news about the opening of Lokmaci, writes the paper which adds that if Christofias telephones Talat and tells him Come on, lets open the Lokmaci, Talat may say, This cannot be done, I will ask Turkey first. Afrika writes that Christofias, contrary to what Papadopoulos did, is moving fast and does not leave to Talat space to consult with Ankara.

(CS)

EG/

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