Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-05-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cypriot leaders reaffirm commitment to bi-zonal, bi-communal federation

[02] Turkey welcomes Talat-Christofias meeting

[03] Ercakica on Talat-Christofias meeting

[04] Ertugruloglu on the Christofias Talat meeting and the issue of the Turkish settlers

[05] Soyer on the Christofias Talat meeting and the issue of the Turkish settlers

[06] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered the Christofias Talat meeting

[07] Soyer held contacts in Ankara

[08] Avci says Greek Cypriot military exercise will harm talk process

[09] Talat is departing for Brussels

[10] The TDP protests against the self-styled governments inhuman behaviour

[11] The ODTU is concerned because the title deeds for the land of its campus in occupied Morfou have not yet been transferred to it

[12] Speeding fines to Greek Cypriots who visit the occupied areas

[13] Turkish Petroleum Corporation will drill for oil west of Cyprus

[14] Turkish Energy Minister outlines oil, gas pipeline projects

[15] The agreement was signed for desalination project in Famagusta

[16] Gary Robbs mother also on the run form UK police

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cypriot leaders reaffirm commitment to bi-zonal, bi-communal federation

Cypriot leaders on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality.

President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias met in the buffer zone today.

The two leaders agreed that the partnership should be a federal government that has one international identity formed by Turkish and Greek Cypriot founder states that are in equal status.

Speaking to press after the meeting, the two leaders said they would meet again in the second half of June to review further progress.

Christofias said they had a common position that international identity of Cyprus would be "United Federal Republic of Cyprus".

Responding to a question on opening of Yesilirmak Gate [Limnitis crossing point] to passages, Talat said they gave directives to representatives to assess works on Yesilirmak Gate, other passages as well as confidence building measures.

Asked when peace talks would start, Talat said, "This is a tough question. We will meet again in the second half of June and assess the matter again. We have different views on this issue and we continue to have those views."

Moreover, illegal Bayrak television (24.05.08) broadcast the following:

The two leaders in Cyprus have reaffirmed their commitment to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions.

President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias held a three hour long meeting on Friday at the residence of the UN Secretary Generals Special Representative for Cyprus Taye-Brook Zerihoun.

Reading out a joint statement at the end of the meeting, Mr Zerihoun said that the two leaders had genuine and fruitful discussions and reviewed the results achieved pursuant to the 21 March Agreement.

Mr Zerihoun said the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment for a federation on the basis of the political equality of the two sides, as defined by the UN Security Council resolutions.

He said `this partnership will have a Federal Government with a single international personality, as well as a Turkish Cypriot Constituent and a Greek Cypriot Constituent state which will be of equal status.

Mr Zerihoun went on to say that representatives of the two leaders will come together within 15 days to examine the results of the technical committees, which were establish to lay the groundwork for fully-fledged negotiations between the two sides.

The Representatives will consider civilian and military confidence-building measures. They will also pursue the opening of Limnitis-Yesilirmak gate as well as other crossing points.

[02] Turkey welcomes Talat-Christofias meeting

Turkey has welcomed the outcome of Fridays meeting between President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias.

In a written statement issued yesterday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said it expected full-fledged negotiations to establish a new partnership state in Cyprus to start as soon as possible.

"Turkey expects the two leaders in Cyprus to start direct talks under the UN secretary-general's good will mission to find a comprehensive and a fair settlement which will be based on bi-zonality and political equality of the two founding states" the statement said.

[03] Ercakica on Talat-Christofias meeting

A Turkish Cypriot spokesman said on Friday that the Greek Cypriot leader said during a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot president that he was not ready for extensive talks.

Presidential spokesman Hasan Ercakica of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) commented on the meeting between TRNC's President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias, held in the buffer zone in Lefkosia on Friday.

"Consequently, we are pleased with the meeting," said Ercakica, stating that the Greek Cypriot party's reaffirmation of its commitment to the process that started on March 21st was a pleasing development for TRNC.

"However, Christofias said that he was not ready to start talks under today's circumstances and added that he thought he would not be ready until the end of June," Ercakica said.

Upon a question, Ercakica said the Greek Cypriot leader's reason for "not being ready for talks" was his opinion regarding the "insufficiency of the results of the activities conducted by working groups to start extensive talks".

Noting that the Turkish and Greek Cypriot parties still had different stances, Ercakica also said TRNC was particularly pleased that the Greek Cypriot party did not hesitate to include in the joint statement a paragraph putting emphasis on the political equity of the Turkish community and the equal status of two founder states.

[04] Ertugruloglu on the Christofias Talat meeting and the issue of the Turkish settlers

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Ertugruloglu referred to the Christofias-Talat meeting on Friday and alleged that Mr Talat is putting in danger the state, the gains and the security of the Turkish Cypriots for the sake of the image and the power. He argued that Mr Talat is still making concessions and loses the necessary ground for the protection of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

It is not possible for an agreement which is not based on our sovereign equality to carry the Turkish Cypriots to the future in safety, he claimed and added that Mr Talat, who in the beginning was opposing an open-ended procedure, afterwards abandoned this position and succumbed to president Christofias demand for postponement.

Mr Ertugruloglu alleged that discussing confidence building measures with the Greek Cypriot side which keeps the Turkish Cypriot people under embargoes could be nothing else than a comedy.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Soyer on the Christofias Talat meeting and the issue of the Turkish settlers

Mr Soyer said the following on the issue of the Turkish settlers who were brought to the island after the 1974 Turkish invasion:

The unity and togetherness on these lands of the TRNC citizens, who came to the TRNC after 1974 and share the same fate and future with the Turkish Cypriots will continue in such a manner that no one will be able to prevent after an agreement.

Mr Soyer alleged that in case of a solution it is everybodys duty to continue the same unity with the people who came to the island after 1974, became TRNC citizens and for 30 years share the same fate on these lands with the Turkish Cypriots. He alleged that all the so-called TRNC citizens will continue to live free on the constitutional basis of the TRNC.

Referring to the statement after the Talat-Christofias meeting on Friday, Mr Soyer noted:

In this sense I believe that it is important that most recently president Talat reaffirmed with the Greek Cypriot leader the policy which the Turkish Cypriots established jointly with Turkey for the creation of a partnership republic on the basis of political equality at the arrangement which will be made on the basis of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriots constituent states, which will have equal status.

Mr Soyer said that the fact that a partnership republic in which the constituent states will have equal status came onto the agenda is very important.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (26.05.08) refers to Soyers statements under the title Soyer: The population from Turkey will stay. Above the title the paper refers to the expression used by the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas and the nationalist Turks, who commenting on the illegal settlers and the fact that Turkish Cypriots abandoned the island, argued that Turk goes Turk comes.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (26.05.08) refers to the same statements under the title Guarantee for citizenship!

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Volkan newspaper (26.05.08) refers to a statement made by Mr Soyer during a joint activity between the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and AKEL in occupied Famagusta last Friday and reports that Mr Soyer said that we should get rid of the laps of the motherlands.

The paper writes that addressing the Greek Cypriots, Mr Soyer said that we should work together to overcome the difficulties and added that we should get rid of the laps of the motherlands and work intensively for the achievement of a peaceful solution.

(I/Ts.)

[06] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered the Christofias Talat meeting

Kibris: They began well. The paper reports that the two leaders agreed to meet again in the second half of June and in the joint statement made after their meeting reaffirmed their commitment to the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on the political equality. The paper notes that the advisors of the two leaders, Mr George Iacovou and Mr Ozdil Nami will work on the issue of the opening of Limnitis and other crossing points.

Afrika: They put the name of the child: United Federal Republic of Cyprus. The paper notes that the two leaders agreed on the two equal constituent states and the single international identity.

Halkin Sesi: An open-ended time table came out of the summit. The paper claims that President Christofias is not ready for negotiations.

Yeni Duzen: Federal Cyprus. The paper notes that the leaders reaffirmed the position for a federation based on the political equality and two constituent states with a single international identity. They have also agreed on confidence building measures and new crossing points. The paper reports that asked when the comprehensive negotiations will begin, the Turkish Cypriot leader said: It is a difficult questions. We shall meet again in the second half of June and make a new evaluation.

Star Kibris: Two equal states. The paper reports that after the summit the UN Secretary -Generals representative, Mr Zerihoun stated that the leaders agreed that a federal government will be established where two equal states will be constituent.

Kibrisli: Proposal for postponement for September. The paper claims that president Christofias said that he wanted the postponement of the negotiations for September. Political observers have doubts that Christofias tries to gain time, writes the paper.

Bakis: Unwillingness prevails on the negotiations!

Gunes: They met and talked!

Yeni Volkan: Christofias settled Talat. The paper alleges that President Christofias, who says to the EU and to every country which he visits you settle Turkey and I will settle Talat, did what he said.

Ortam: There is no parthenogenesis!

Vatan: Reaffirmation.

Sozcu: The Christofias Talat meeting has been completed.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Soyer held contacts in Ankara

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and his accompanying delegation which consisted of Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci and the Minister of Finance Ahmet Uzun completed their contacts in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Speaking to reporters at the Ercan airport [occupied airport of Tymbou] on his return to the TRNC on Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Soyer stressed that Turkish Cypriot and Turkish officials are likeminded at all points in the way towards achieving progress in the new solution process in Cyprus.

Noting that he had the opportunity to evaluate the common policies pursued by the TRNC and Turkey on the solution of the Cyprus problem with Turkish high level officials, the Premier said economic issues were also on the agenda, adding that Turkeys support to the TRNC on this will continue.

Before leaving Turkey on Friday, Prime Minister had a meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul during which the Cyprus issue and relations between the two countries were discussed.

On Thursday, Soyer met with Minister of State also responsible for Cyprus Affairs Cemil Cicek.

[08] Avci says Greek Cypriot military exercise will harm talk process

Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci has stated that the Greek Cypriot side's military exercises which will be jointly held with France and Greece between 2-6 June will bruise the new solution process in Cyprus that started with the 21st March agreement reached between the two leaders.

In his written statement, Mr Avci noted that the 21st March agreement and the opening of the Lokmaci [occupied Limnitis] gate have helped the formation of a positive atmosphere on the island, but warned that such military exercises held by the Greek Cypriot side will no doubt affect the solution process negatively.

Foreign Minister said France's participation in these military exercises with the South will dampen its neutral position when it becomes the EU term-president.

`In such a period where heavy efforts are being taken in order to establish a partnership in Cyprus on a just and comprehensive basis with political equality and the UN parameters, the Greek Cypriot side's military exercises- which harm mutual trust- show how genuine the Greek Cypriot side is in terms of providing a solution to the Cyprus problem` Avci said.

Turgay Avci criticized the Greek Cypriot side for showing its real policy on the Cyprus issue by holding such military exercises irresponsibly on one hand, and for making criticisms of the Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces on the other- which he said is the protector of peace on the island.

`The Greek Cypriot side's insistence on taking such initiatives, which harm stability in the Mediterranean region and help mounting the tensions, clearly proves the fact that the Turkish Armed Forces which has been deployed in Cyprus since 1974 is the real guard of peace and freedom` the Foreign Minister added.

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot Side had presented a package of confidence-building measures to the UN Secretary-General last October, which envisaged the simultaneous removal of military exercises in Cyprus, Avci said the Turkish Cypriot side has proved its peaceful stance while the Greek Cypriot side continues to prove its intransigent attitude by insisting on such military activities.

The Foreign Minister called on the international community, especially the countries which approved the unilateral EU membership of South Cyprus, to come to realize the facts and take an immediate step to prevent the Greek Cypriot side from causing further tension.

[09] Talat is departing for Brussels

(I/Ts.)

[10] The TDP protests against the self-styled governments inhuman behaviour

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.05.08) reports that addressing the First Regular General Assembly of the Womens Organization of the Social Democrat Party (TDP) in occupied Nicosia, the leader of the party, Mehmet Cakici said yesterday that chaos exists in all sectors of the country, that many organizations are on strike, that the government is carrying out scandalous actions and that only the TDP is really opposing these developments.

Mr Cakici said: The tender for the [Gecitkale] Lefkoniko airport, the allocation of the Dome Hotel to a CTP MP, the firing of scientists from their jobs at the Lefka European University (LAU), the creation of an MP stock market and many similar scandals took place.

(I/Ts.)

[11] The ODTU is concerned because the title deeds for the land of its campus in occupied Morfou have not yet been transferred to it

Mr Akbulut made this statement at a ceremony for the celebrations on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary from the establishment of ODTU in Turkey. The self-styled minister of education, Mrs Canan Oztoprak attended the ceremony. She stated that the decision for establishing a campus of ODTU in occupied Morfou area was a very appropriate decision.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Speeding fines to Greek Cypriots who visit the occupied areas

More than 6.630 Greek Cypriot motorists have been caught by speeding cameras in the TRNC, according to new figures released by police. Details of licence plates of speeding cars were passed to police at crossing points. A total of 3,439 speeding tickets have been handed out, while there are another 3,193 waiting to be served.

[13] Turkish Petroleum Corporation will drill for oil west of Cyprus

The Turkish Petroleum Corporation is planning to drill for oil in the Mediterranean west of Cyprus. The state-owned company has done extensive exploration work and is looking at deepwater areas in the Mediterranean to add to the 45-plus oilfields it currently operates. TPC director general Osman Saim Dinc said the corporation would carry out seismic studies west of Cyprus over the summer. 'We have achieved serious progress in the Black Sea and this year we start work in the Mediterranean,' he said. Observers say the move is likely to anger the Greek Cypriot government.'

[14] Turkish Energy Minister outlines oil, gas pipeline projects

Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said on Saturday that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline earned Turkey 2 billion USD.

"Now, the next projects are Samsun-Ceyhan and Nabucco pipelines," Guler told reporters in Ceyhan, Turkey's energy hub.

Guler said 378 million barrels of Azerbaijani oil was sent to global markets so far.

'We are proud to realize a project which was seen as a dream. Now, the next projects are the Samsun-Ceyhan and Nabucco pipelines. We had talks with Austrian President two days ago. Next month, we will make clear several matters, such as the amount and the rates (regarding Nabucco project),' he said.

The Nabucco project is a planned 3,300 kilometres natural gas pipeline that will carry gas from Turkey to Austria, via Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary.

The Nabucco pipeline will run from Erzurum in Turkey to Baumgarten an der March, a major natural gas hub in Austria. This pipeline is an alternative to the current projects developed to import natural gas from Russia. It will be connected with the Tabriz-Erzurum pipeline, and with the South Caucasus Pipeline, linking Nabucco Pipeline with the planned Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline.

The project is developed by the Nabucco Gas Pipeline International GmbH, established in 2004 in Vienna. The shareholders of the company are OMV (Austria), MOL (Hungary), Transgaz (Romania), Bulgargaz (Bulgaria), BOTAS (Turkey) and RWE (Germany).

[15] The agreement was signed for the Famagusta-Salamina Seawater Desalination Installation

[16] Gary Robbs mother also on the run form UK police

The mother of Gary Robb, who fled the UK while facing serious drugs charges, is also on the run from British police.

Mavis Robb, 73, skipped bail and followed one son to North Cyprus while the other was jailed after admitting major drug offences. Cleveland police said there was still an outstanding warrant for her arrest, but Mr Robb said his mother would never return to the UK. 'She is now an elderly lady and she loves Cyprus. She deserves to continue to live here in peace,' he said. 'She did what any mother would do for a son and I believe she is innocent of any wrong-doing,' said Mr Robb, speaking for the first time publicly about events leading Mrs Robb to flee justice and join him as a fugitive in North Cyprus.

'I was owed money which was completely clean and nothing to do with drugs and it was handed to my mother to pass on to me after I skipped bail and was living and working in North Cyprus. She simply sent it to me and then she found herself on a charge of aiding and abetting me.'

Mr Robb and his older brother James ran a series of nightclubs across the north-east of England, but were both arrested on serious drugs charges in the mid-1990s. Gary Robb fled to North Cyprus in 1997 and has continued to maintain his innocence, while James admitted the charges and was jailed for 12 years. In April, Cyprus Today revealed that the British High Commission had issued Gary Robb with a new passport in 2001 in error. He is the subject of an international arrest warrant which would apply in any country with a formal extradition treaty with the UK.

Mr Robb has said he will return to the UK to clear his name, but now says that the British High Commission has refused to discuss his two demands: that a trial date is agreed in advance and that £1.5 million in assets frozen by the British government is returned to him. The controversial developer, who owes about £1.7 million to people who bought properties on his Amaranta Valley site added: 'My mother is not criminal and neither am I as I have never dealt in drugs, yet I would have gone to prison for that if I had not jumped bail.'

Michelle Robson, of Cleveland police said: 'The warrants for the arrest of his mother for aiding and abetting a criminal are still active. We will arrest them should they return to the UK.' 'Action will also be taken if they are known to have come into the jurisdiction of a country with an extradition treaty with the UK.' 'The fact is Gary Robb and his mother are currently resident in a jurisdiction where there are no formal extradition treaty arrangements with the UK and unless he returns voluntarily, or moves to another country, either voluntarily or otherwise, the UK authorities are unable to move the cases forward any further.

ES/

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