Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-08-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Downer met with Talat

[02] Circles from Talats office confirm that they cooperate with the Independent Diplomat group

[03] The breakaway regime is preparing to speed up the process of granting White Card to settlers from Turkey

[04] Cakici described as wrong the population policy of the breakaway regime

[05] Turkish Cypriot teachers prevented Koran lessons in occupied Gypsou; The Koran lessons are assessed as a result of the change of the structure of the population in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[06] The Weilburg Municipality signed cooperation protocol in the occupied areas at the Republic of Cyrpus

[07] Talat met with a delegation of the Cyprus Turkish Coordination Council

[08] US embassy officials met with the self-styled minister of finance

[09] Besparmak group held a press conference

[10] Press conference by Rasmussen; reference to the Cyprus problem

[11] The election of the new speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly to be held today- Mehmet Ali Sahin AKPs candidate

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish press of 3 August 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Downer met with Talat

President Mehmet Ali Talat has received the United Nations Secretary Generals Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer.

The meeting at the Presidential Palace took place just days before Thursdays Leaders meeting which will mark the end of the first phase of direct talks launched in September with the aim of bringing about a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Downer said he had a good meeting with Mr Talat. Stating that they will have a break before the start of the second phase of the negotiations process, the UN envoy said the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is very satisfied with the negotiations process.

Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias postponed the meeting he was to hold with Mr Downer last Friday, by giving a meeting of the Greek Cypriot cabinet as an excuse. Its not known when the UN Envoy will meet with the Greek Cypriot leader.

This round of the talks will be completed on Thursday when the two leaders will meet to hold further discussions on aliens, immigration, asylum and citizenship and to determine the program and the method to be followed in the next phase of the talks.

The Turkish Side wanted the talks to be completed by the end of the year and to hold a referendum at the beginning of 2010, but the Greek Cypriot Side hasnt yet made its position clear.

On the method to be used in the second phase, the Turkish Side brought a proposal on the table suggesting that discussions on issues on which the sides failed to reach agreement in the first round, should be held at the leaders level.

The Greek Cypriot Side is expected to give a response to this proposal on Thursday. A break will be given to the talks after this weeks meeting and the talks will be resumed on the 3rd of September.

Meanwhile, its been reported that the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon is expected to visit the island after the launch of the second round of the talks. According to press reports, the UN Chief could visit the island either in September or in October with the aim of speeding up the negotiation process.

[02] Circles from Talats office confirm that they cooperate with the Independent Diplomat group

According to the paper, the circles confirmed that the group offers its services to the breakaway regime and added that the aim in this case is different than it was in the case of Kosovo. The circles said that the groups aim is to mediate for the TRNC presidency at the international level. The circles did not mention the remuneration paid to the group and contented with saying that the amount is not very high in comparison with the other companies which offer professional services in this field.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The breakaway regime is preparing to speed up the process of granting White Card to settlers from Turkey

The government is preparing to speed up a practice which could put an end to the debates which lasted for years on the issue of granting the citizenship to the refugees from Turkey, notes the paper adding that the breakaway regime intends to issue White Cards to the settlers from Turkey, which will provide to them all the rights except the right of voting and being elected.

Referring to this issue, Mr Tokel said that Turkey has not submitted any demand to the breakaway regime for granting citizenship to these persons and added: On the contrary we are saying to those who have been living here for 20 years but still are not citizens, that the negotiations are going on and we do not want to cause trouble to Turkey.

Mr Tokel noted that the self-styled ministry of interior started a study on this issue and added that it will not be possible for citizenship to be granted to everybody. Pointing out that those who ask for the citizenship of the breakaway regime are persons over the age of 15, Mr Tokel said that they have speeded up the issue of the White Card and added:

Approximately 100 persons come back from the ships every day. This is a serious social wound. Many families are broken up. During the CTP period, the applications for White Card were around two thousand, but it was given to fifty persons. We are saying let everybody come and submit an application. The criteria are known. Either a seal valid for full ten years [Tr. Note: Acquiring a residence permit in the occupied areas for ten years] or a seal for full twelve years or thirteen years on the condition that the period spent abroad does not exceed 90 days. This brings a relief. Either you will make them citizens or you will give them a White Card like the Green Card in the USA. Thus they will be able to benefit from all the rights of the normal TRNC citizens except the right of voting and being elected.

Moreover, Mr Tokel said that the number of the retired persons has reached 25.000 now and added that there should be 75.000 active persons paying social security premiums to complete this number. However, he noted, the active insured persons are only 55.000. This is a serious danger. Every month around 100 persons come to retirement, he said.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Cakici described as wrong the population policy of the breakaway regime

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots are experiencing a very difficult period, Mr Cakici said: The Turkish Cypriots are facing the danger of being annihilated, both with their demographic structure and their culture and social structure.

Mr Cakici described as wrong the population policy of the breakaway regime and argued that this is the source of the problems experienced in the occupied areas, especially in the fields of health and education. He expressed the opinion that there is also a link between the economic crisis and the population policy.

Mr Cakici accused the self-styled government of the regime on various issues such as the monument of Kemal Ataturk built at Kermia ring and the Koran lessons. He said that they do not believe that real effort for the solution of the Cyprus problem is exerted and alleged that the sides are following the policy of appearing as if they are solving the problem.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish Cypriot teachers prevented Koran lessons in occupied Gypsou; The Koran lessons are assessed as a result of the change of the structure of the population in the occupied areas of Cyprus

The lessons were given by the imam of the mosque of occupied Arnadi village, Mustafa Goren. Officials from KTOS and KTOEOS prevented the lesson and sent the students home, describing the course illegal.

Meanwhile, referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (04.08.09) reports that it was established that the permission for the course was given by the Head of the Religious Affairs Department, Yusuf Suicmez, and not by the self-styled ministry of education. The paper commends on this issue in its Letter from Afrika column under the title It is difficult to overcome this danger without the population issue being solved. Afrika writes, inter alia, the following:

It seems that the storm which started with the Koran lessons will be turned into a tornado. This is actually a population matter. The social structure of the Turkish Cypriots has changed. And it seems that the demand has also changed. In any case, those who demand these lessons are not the Turkish Cypriots. They are those who come from abroad. That is, the population form the Republic of Turkey. There were sixteen students in the school of Gypsou where the teachers raided. Let us see. How many of them were Cypriots? Or were there Cypriots among them?

The population transferred from abroad have started to dictate their way of life here since a long time. And they put their seal everywhere, from our kitchen to our entertainment. And in our politics as well, they have become say-owners of first degree as holders of the majority of the political will. You also are certainly aware of this. If a referendum is held on the Cyprus issue, they will play the decisive role there as well. The hospitals, the schools, the kindergartens. In whose hands are all these? In their hands! ....

(I/Ts.)

[06] The Weilburg Municipality signed cooperation protocol in the occupied areas at the Republic of Cyrpus

The Girne [occupied Keryneia] Municipality and Weilburg Municipality at the German state of Hessen have signed a cooperation protocol.

The protocol which is envisaging cooperation on tourism, education, energy echology, economical initiatives and city centre improvement was signed with a special ceremony in Dome Hotel in Gine today.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Mayor of Girne Sumer Aygin said the protocol is one of the serious works carried out for making Girne as a European city.

He also said that personnel exchange and training programs will be put into practice after the protocol is put into effect.

For his part, Hans Peter Schick, the Mayor of German city of Weilburg said that Girne and Weilburg cities have many historical, tourist and educational similarities.

He also noted that 20 students studying tourism at the Weilburg Tourism College will soon be arriving in North Cyprus within the framework of a protocol signed between the College and the Girne American University.

[07] Talat met with a delegation of the Cyprus Turkish Coordination Council

(I/Ts.)

[08] US embassy officials met with the self-styled minister of finance

Mr Tatar told the American embassy officials that the decision of the Financial Action Task Force (FAFT) regarding the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus on the money laundering caused satisfaction to the Turkish Cypriot side. He said that this is a gain for the breakaway regime. The US officials expressed their satisfaction for the procedure practiced by the breakaway regime on this issue and told Mr Tatar that the Turkish Cypriots should continue their efforts on preventing money laundering.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Besparmak group held a press conference

A group of former diplomats, politicians and statesmen, calling themselves `Besparmak [occupied Pentadaktylos] Group, have held a press conference to provide information about their contacts with Turkish officials in Ankara.

A founding member of the group - former Presidential Undersecretary Ergun Olgun listed `the establishment of a new state, bi-zonality, protection of the Treaties of Guarantee and Alliance, political equality and the accommodation of an agreement to the EU Law`, as their red lines for a solution in Cyprus.

He said that the group briefed the Turkish Foreign Ministry officials on their red lines, adding that they shared the same position on the issue.

He added that Ankara is disappointed by the negative attitude of the Greek Cypriot Administration which has been pursuing threatening policies and continuing to arm.

Underlining the fact that the Greek Cypriot Administration which is occupying the title of the so-called Republic of Cyprus has no legal basis, Mr Olgun said that the Greek Cypriots are trying to camouflage this illegal situation by claiming that Ankara is pressuring the TRNC people.

Explaining that members of the group met with President Mehmet Ali Talat before their contacts in Ankara, he said they informed the President of their concerns on the Cyprus issue, especially on single sovereignty. Stressing that the Turkish Side is not helpless, Mr Olgun said that alternative ways could be found in cooperation with Turkey.

Earlier, the Group held discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and officials from the Association of Diplomacy Correspondents in Ankara.

[10] Press conference by Rasmussen; reference to the Cyprus problem

NATO's new Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Monday that he hoped to fulfill the commitments which he had made to Turkey before he was appointed to the post.

When reporters recalled the agreement he reached with Turkey in Strasbourg/Kehl Summit in April, Rasmussen said that they had reached a common understanding with Turkey, and he had full confidence that the agreement would be fulfilled. Noting that he would do his best to fulfill the commitments, Rasmussen said that he also believed the support of NATO members.

Rasmussen also said that elimination of obstacles before EU-NATO cooperation would be one of his priorities, adding that this would be the main issue he would discuss during his visits to Turkey and Greece.

Rasmussen said that one of the other priorities of NATO Secretariat General was to develop relations with Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait) and Mediterranean Dialogue (Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania, Jordan, Israel) countries. He added that he would hold bilateral talks with the ambassadors of these countries.

Rasmussen said that he would convey his views to the ambassadors to develop the relations with Islamic countries.

In Strasbourg/Kehl Summit in April, Rasmussen said that he would closely cooperate with Turkey during his term in office, and Turkey was an important NATO member acting as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East.

Rasmussen had also said that Danish police and prosecutors were carrying out an investigation whether Roj TV (broadcasting from Denmark) had an economic connection with PKK terrorist organization and whether its broadcasts provoked terrorism. He said Danish authorities would do their best to close down the TV channel if necessary proof was obtained.

Rasmussen had also promised to assign a Turkish official as one of the highest-level assistants of the NATO secretary-general.

Moreover, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (04.08.09) reports that the new Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who started his duties yesterday, stated during a press conference that he will visit Turkey and Greece so that the solution of the Cyprus problem is speeded up.

(CS)

[11] The election of the new speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly to be held today- Mehmet Ali Sahin AKPs candidate

Under the title AKPs candidate is Sahin, Milliyet reports that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) nominated the former Minister of Justice, Mehmet Ali Sahin, and AKPs Antalya MP as a candidate for the post of the speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The election is taking place today.

The paper also writes that the parties of the opposition, the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are against Sahins candidacy and they will have their own candidates. CHPs candidate will be the partys Istanbul MP, Ilhan Kesici and MHPs candidate will be Sakarya MP, Munir Kutluata.

Koksal Toptan has been the parliament speaker for the past two years. His duties will end on August 9.

Sabah also writes that Mehmet Ali Sahin will be AKPs candidate for the post of the parliament speaker and writes that the first two rounds of the vote for the new parliament speaker will be held today, on August 4. Two thirds (367) of the total number of MPs will be required in these rounds. In the third round simple majority is required (276 votes) and in the fourth round the candidate who will get the most votes is elected. According to the paper, AKP has 338 MPs and if it did not receive support from the other parties it will be difficult for the new speaker to be elected in the two first rounds. The paper writes that independent MP Kamer Genc will also be a candidate for the post.

Reporting on the same issue, Cumhurriyet writes that during the meetings he held with party members all day long yesterday, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has finalized his search for "compromise within the Justice and Development Party" regarding the nomination of a candidate for parliament speaker.

(CS)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish press of 3 August 2009

a) Putin Visit

Ferai Tinc views the agenda of President Putin's upcoming one-day visit to Turkey in Hurriyet. Accordingly, the Turkish and Russian teams will discuss the tender issued for Turkey's nuclear stations, Blue Stream-2 that will increase the amount of Russian natural gas that will pass through the Blue Stream, and the pipeline project that will deliver Russian oil from Samsun to Ceyhan. "Willingly or unwillingly," Tinc says, "Turkey is one of the strategic centers of the energy rivalry. It is in a position to determine the balance of power." Other items on the agenda concern the hitches in Turkish-Russian trade, the customs issue, security issues concerning the Caucasus, and so on. Tinc argues that the tougher the problems, the greater the opportunities may be for Turkey.

Writing in Milliyet, Semih Idiz argues that Nabucco will be one of the main topics on Putin's agenda in Turkey. In a commentary, Idiz maintains that the United States wants Russia and Iran kept out of Nabucco. Furthermore, "the United States wants the Nabucco's supply deficit to be met by Iraqi gas since Azerbaijan's resources will not be enough to feed this line," he says. There are many variables in the future of the energy issue, Idiz affirms, and lists some of them as follows: "An inflow of Iranian gas as a result of an agreement between Washington and Tehran; an upgrading of the warm relations between Baku and Moscow to a strategic level and a resulting negative impact on Nabucco; Russia's participation in Nabucco to serve its economic interests even if it cannot control the project, and so on." The columnist calls on Turkey to think big on these issues, be open-minded, and look after its own interests. "It looks like Putin's visit will heat up the 'energy chess game," he concludes.

EG/

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