Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-09-21

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talats and Erdogans offensive in New York

[02] Davutoglu rejects the possibility of Turkey taking a step on Cyprus and accuses the government of the Republic of Cyprus of not showing good will

[03] Statements by Talat after his meeting with the lawyers representing the Orams couple

[04] The UBP government is in favour of providing the right to vote to the Turkish Cypriots living in London

[05] Eroglu repeats that Turkeys occupation forces will always maintain their presence in Cyprus

[06] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the ECHR ruling on the Varnava case

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily on the EU Commissions Progress Report for Turkey

[08] Hurriyet paper reports that Israel made record investments in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[09] The number of tourists who visited the occupied areas of Cyprus this year increased by 15%

[10] A decrease of 13% is observed during the first eight months of 2009 in the sales of vehicles in the occupied areas

[11] Turkish Cypriot businessman argues that the breakaway regime does not want the Green Line Regulation to operate

[12] Abkhazian Minister said that they are ready to recognize the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talats and Erdogans offensive in New York

Mr Erdogan will also participate in the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. He will be accompanied by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance, Ahmet Davutoglu and Mehmet Simsek respectively as well as by the State Minister Ali Babacan and the Turkish Chief Negotiator with the EU, Egemen Bagis. Mr Erdogan will meet with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 25 September. He is also expected to hold meetings with 20 heads of state and government. It was announced that Mr Erdogan will attend and address the Summit of the Friends of Pakistan Group, an event organized by the Clinton Global Initiative and the opening of the Conference of the Balkan-American Associations. He will also give a lecture at Pinceton University and the Levin Institute of New York University in cooperation with the secretariat of the Alliance of Civilizations.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Davutoglu rejects the possibility of Turkey taking a step on Cyprus and accuses the government of the Republic of Cyprus of not showing good will

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday that Turkey could not be expected to take a step that would affect the nature of the talks as comprehensive talks were underway in Cyprus.

Turkey assumes a constructive stance on the Cyprus issue. Turkey does its best for the talks to reach a comprehensive solution. It is the EU, not Turkey which is on the eve of a critical decision, Davutoglu told the private CNN Turk channel.

It was Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) that wanted peace in 2004, so nobody has the right to say that Turkey and TRNC hindered peace, Davutoglu said.

The Turkish Foreign Minister said it was again the Turkish party, led by TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat that was willing for peace in the period that started with Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias.

42 meetings were held so far. It is the Turkish party that wants to boost the talks. Mr. Talat will talk to UN Secretary-General during UN General Assembly. Turkish party insists on this meeting to be tripartite. Greek Cypriots oppose this. Accusing Turkey and trying to push Turkish-EU relations into a new crisis can not be explained with good will, he said.

Davutoglu underlined that clashes in the Caucasus were not in the benefit of anybody, noting that Turkey-Armenia border was closed, Azerbaijan's territories were under occupation and there was ethnical tension among the groups in Georgia.

Davutoglu said Turkey took a step for a comprehensive normalization in the region, while responding to a question when Turkey-Armenian border would be opened.

I hope this will happen soon. If the related parties, including the Minsk group, unite all their energies, not only Turkey-Armenian border but also the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan can also be opened, Davutoglu said.

[03] Statements by Talat after his meeting with the lawyers representing the Orams couple

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat who was in London for a series of contacts will be moving on later today to the US Capital Washington D.C for more contacts.

Yesterday, the President met with lawyers representing the Linda and David Orams couple in a London court case about their property in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, President Mehmet Ali Talat made it clear that they were only extending support to the Orams legal battle and that the TRNC was not a direct party to the case. We believe this case to be of great importance. Thats why I came to London to exchange views with the lawyers representing the Orams, he added.

Reminding that an earlier legal challenge launched by Cyprus Turkish Airlines (CTA) for direct flights to the TRNC had failed, the President said that the direct flights case was not only the problem of the CTA which had filed the case but the case of everyone living and travelling to the TRNC.

Also commenting on the ongoing negotiations process, President Talat repeated his hope that a settlement will be reached by the end of this year.

On Mr Talats contacts, illegal Bayrak television (20.09.09) broadcast the following:

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat who was in London for a series of contacts is now in the US Capital Washington D.C for more contacts. The President is expected to meet with think tanks organisations and explain his views regarding the Cyprus issue.

Upon the completion of his contacts in Washington the President is expected to move on to New York where he is expected to meet with foreign ministers of countries who are showing interest in the Cyprus issue.

President Talat is also expected to meet with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser for Cyprus, Alexander Downer, has said that the UN Secretary-General is very interested in the Cyprus issue and is impatiently waiting to meet with the two leaders in New York on the issue.

Also commenting on the ongoing negotiations process, President Talat repeated his hope that a settlement will be reached by the end of this year.

He concluded by saying that he was absolutely certain that the Turks of Cyprus will vote yes at the referendum that will be held at the end of the Cyprus talks.

[04] The UBP government is in favour of providing the right to vote to the Turkish Cypriots living in London

Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Huseyin Ozgurgun is continuing with his contacts in London.

Last night he met with representatives of the Turks of Cyprus community in London. Speaking during the meeting the Foreign Minister referred to the ongoing Cyprus negotiations process and said that it was their aim to find a solution that would safeguard their sovereignty, political equality and security. Noting that up until now a lot of progress hadnt been achieved due to the Greek Cypriot sides stance at the talks and underlined the fact that the Orams case had also dealt a blow to the negotiations process. The Foreign Minister also said that the Greek Cypriot sides stance on the issued of guarantees and alliances were unacceptable.

Ozgurgun said that the Greek Cypriot side is putting forward its EU membership and claiming that there is no need for the system of guarantees in the new partnership that will emerge at the end of the negotiations process. If a signature is put on the agreement plan which does not contain Turkeys active and effective guarantees the Turks of Cyprus the Turks of Cyprus will never accept this, said Ozgurgun.

During his meeting the Foreign Minister said the National Unity Party (UBP) gives great importance to the Cyprus Turks who live abroad and added that they were determined to do all they could to solve the problems that they are experiencing. Mr. Ozgurgun also announced that the TRNC Foreign Ministry has established the Foreign Coordination Directorship which will serve TRNC nationals abroad and allow them to strengthen their ties with the country.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.09.09) reported the following from occupied Lefkosia:

Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister said on Saturday that the proposals the Greek Cypriot party submitted during negotiation process undermined the good-will atmosphere.Huseyin Ozgurgun, foreign minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said proposals of the Greek Cypriot side did not comply with the U.N. parameters.

Ozgurgun, currently in London, talked to journalists on Cyprus question.

Turkish Cypriot FM said the international community should help removal of isolations imposed on Turkish Cypriot people, and noted that, removal of the isolations is also under the responsibility of EU member countries.

Ozgurgun said the Turkish Cypriot side favored a solution based on UN parameters, equality of the two peoples and including equal status of two founder states and active guarantee of Turkey.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (21.09.09) reports that in statements to the paper, Mr Ozgurgun said that the UBP government is in favour of providing the right to vote to the Turkish Cypriots living in London. He noted that the approval of the assembly will be needed for this. Referring to the right to be elected, he said that this would be possible only with amendment of the constitution and referendum.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Eroglu repeats that Turkeys occupation forces will always maintain their presence in Cyprus

Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu has said that Turkeys presence in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will continue. As long as the embargoes continue against the TRNC, Turkey will never open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels, said the Prime Minister.

This statement was made by Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu in response decisions taken by the Greek Cypriot National Council. Noting that the Greek Cypriot National Council had for years been calling on the Turkish Army to leave the island and for Turkish origin nationals to leave the country as well as calling for the removal of the guarantees as it claims there is no need, the Prime Minister said that these are what the Greek Cypriots have been longing for.

Stressing that the Turkish peace forces will never leave the island for the sake of the Greek Cypriots, Mr. Eroglu said: We want the continuation of the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turks of Cyprus under Turkeys guarantee. What the Greek National Council wants will never happen.

Reminding that the Greek Cypriot administration had announced that it would prevent Turkeys EU membership if it does not fulfill its obligations, Mr. Eroglu stressed that Turkey has put forward it own preconditions. As long as the embargoes against the TRNC are not lifted it will not open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels, he said.

Primarily the European Union should first fulfill the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriots before the 24th of April and then bring this issue to the agenda, added Eroglu.

[06] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the ECHR ruling on the Varnava case

The Spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) responded to a question on the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Varnava case which was announced today (Friday).

The ECHR has today found Turkey responsible and awarded compensation in Varnava and others case, lodged by the relatives of the nine Greek Cypriots who are deemed missing since the 1974 Peace Operation. It is evident that the ECHR failed to take Turkish views into consideration in this case. The same Court, however, had found inadmissible the similar applications lodged by the relatives of Turkish Cypriots missing persons against the Greek Cypriot administration, without even communicating them to the respondent party. Therefore, this judgment is incoherent with its previous decisions on the issue of missing persons in Cyprus, said the Spokesman.

Turkey expects the ECHR to be coherent in its judgments," the Spokesman also said.

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily on the EU Commissions Progress Report for Turkey

(I/Ts.)

[08] Hurriyet paper reports that Israel made record investments in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

The paper reports that the Israeli company Tahal operates two desalination plants in occupied Vokolida and in the occupied town of Famagusta. The Israeli businessmen in cooperation with the British are building a huge marina at the occupied village of Giallousa. It is also reported that the ongoing constructions are under secrecy, because it is forbidden to enter the place and take pictures.

According to the paper, five construction companies with Israeli partners are activated in the occupied area of Keryneia. They have built thousands of villas between the occupied villages of Akanthou and Ag. Amvrosios. Most of their clients are Brits. Israeli businessmen became also partners in the Tatlises casino in occupied Keryneia four years ago. They changed the name of the casino to Las Vegas and later withdrew and turned to other businesses.

Bilge reports that the Israeli businessman, Mr Ronny Kuperberg, who has been living in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus for investments for twelve years, carries both a US and an Israel passport. Mr Ronny Kuperberg said to the paper: The reason of this interest to the TRNC is the cheap properties and that the island is closed to Israel. Israelis are the businessmen investing the most after the Turks. It is said that investment is a risk. We love the risk, it is in our blood.

The Director of the Cyprus Turkish Investment Development Agency (YAGA) Ayse Donmezer said that during the first eight months of this year, nineteen companies from Turkey, five from Britain, five from Germany and one from Israel have applied to YAGA for investments. However, she said, there are those who make investments without applying to YAGA.

Moreover, the paper reports that the Jewish Movement ^abad Lukoviç [Chabad Lubavitch of North Cyprus] has opened a branch in occupied Keryneia with a house used as place of worship for Israeli tourists and businessmen.

According to the paper the headquarters of the movement is in New York, it has more than three thousand representatives all over the world and its representative in occupied Cyprus is Mr Haham Haim Azinov.

The paper concludes that in the movements internet site the branch in the occupied areas is included with the name Northern Cyprus.

(DPs)

[09] The number of tourists who visited the occupied areas of Cyprus this year increased by 15%

The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Travel Agents Union (KITSAB), Ozbek Dedekorkut told Kibris that the work carried out in the year 2008 gave its results this year with the increase in the number of tourists. He said that the most pleasing development is the return of the British tourists in the past couple of years showed no preference for the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Restaurant Owners Union (RES-BIR), Ercan Kucuk said that tourism has been developed, but other sectors related with tourism have not been influenced by this increase. He noted that in the sector of the restaurants a decrease of 50% was observed.

(I/Ts.)

[10] A decrease of 13% is observed during the first eight months of 2009 in the sales of vehicles in the occupied areas

(I/Ts.)

[11] Turkish Cypriot businessman argues that the breakaway regime does not want the Green Line Regulation to operate

Mr Ozbilenler argued that the self-styled Trade Department of the ministry of agriculture has violated the permit granted to him to import potatoes and added that he is preparing to file charges against this department.

Mr Ozbilenler said that he took back to the occupied areas a part of the potatoes he wanted to sell in the government controlled areas of the Republic and tried to sell them there, but he was not permitted to do so.

Mr Ozbilenler accused the self-styled ministry of not wanting the Green Line Regulation of the EU to operate and added that big profit is secured from the sales, but they are prevented. He said that he was forced to compete with the state on the issue of importing potato seed. He added that he cannot compete with the state and that is why he will stop his activities.

The paper notes that a merchant, who did not wish for his name to be revealed, said that the allegations of Mr Ozbilenler that a local merchant brought potatoes to the occupied part of Cyprus to sell them to the occupation army and that he sold them to the supermarkets were not true.

On the other hand, the self-styled ministry of agriculture confirmed that it had granted permit to a merchant to bring potatoes to the occupied areas of Cyprus in order to sell them to the army, but added that these potatoes have not yet come to the occupied areas.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Abkhazian Minister said that they are ready to recognize the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Moreover, the paper reports that when the foreign minister of Abkhazia Sergey Samba was asked whether they will recognize or not the sovereignty of the breakaway regime, said: If they are ready to recognize us, we are also ready and added that mutual contacts have been going on and that a short while ago a delegation from the occupation regime visited Abkhazia.

EG/

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