Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-09-23

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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: The Cyprus problem is an international problem

[02] Talat asked for a US special envoy for Cyprus

[03] Erdogan discusses Cyprus with the UN SecretaryGeneral. Ban Ki-moon expresses his appreciation over Turkey's support to the efforts of the UN Special Advisor on Cyprus

[04] Eroglu stated that a similar to the Annan Plan solution plan might arise in the following months

[05] Michael Leigh delivered a speech at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington

[06] Oya Talat delivered a speech at the Woodrow Wilson Centre and invited its officials to visit the occupied areas of Cyprus

[07] Tufan Erhurman, member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team, explains how their proposal on federal executive safeguards the principle of two separate democracies

[08] Ozgurgun met with British politicians in London

[09] The ECHR orders Turkey to pay compensation for immoveable properties of Greek Cypriot displaced persons

[10] KTOEOS criticized the policy of the breakaway regime to bring teachers from Turkey

[11] Erdogan meets representatives of leading US-Jewish groups for the first time after Davos

[12] Military intelligence monitors activities of Istanbul University

[13] Turkish trade with the Arab world has increased

[14] Turkeys first student-made satellite will be launched today

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat: The Cyprus problem is an international problem

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President, Mehmet Ali Talat, has voiced out that the Cyprus problem is no longer a problem to Cypriots only, but to the international community as a whole.

Its an international problem that is a matter to the whole world, Talat said. Thus, there is no such a thing called a Cypriot solution the President said, in his live interview to the TRT Turk Channel.

President Talat, who is continuing with contacts in the United States, answered TRTs questions regarding the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

The President, who prepares to hold a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York soon, said Mr Ban needs to show more interest towards the solution of the Cyprus problem.

According to the President, the mentality which says the Cyprus problem can only be solved by Cypriots themselves, can only delay the solution of the Cyprus problem, and any such delay will make the solution harder to achieve.

Referring to his contacts in the US, Mr Talat said the US can act as a catalyser in the solution of the Cyprus problem as it is the super-power and a permanent member of the UN.

As in previous years, it might be useful for the US to appoint a special Cyprus representative, the President added.

The TRNC President moved on with his US contacts with a visit to the Genocide Museum in Washington, together with First Lady Oya Talat. The Genocide Museum provides information about the history of genocide carried out against the Jewish people by the Nazis. President Talat signed the guest book at the Museum and hoped that the humanity will not see such disasters ever again.

The President today also briefed a think-tank institution named Foreign Affairs Council on the Cyprus problem.

He is going to hold meetings with Senator Richard Durbin and Member of Congress Robert Wexler later. These two meetings will mark the completion of Mr Talats Washington leg of US contacts.

Mehmet Ali Talat will move on to New York tomorrow to meet with UN representatives of various countries who arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly meetings.

Furthermore, under the title There can be no Cypriot solution, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.09.09) refers to the statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to the Turkish state television, TRT, in Washington, (Tr. Note: See the Turkish Mass Media Bulletin of 22.09.09) and reports that Mr Talat asked for the involvement of the USA in the Cyprus problem, contrary to what President Christofias wants. The paper writes that responding to a question regarding the role of the European Union (EU), Mr Talat said that in spite of the presence of the Greek Cypriots, the EU could play an important role and that the Commission of the EU is doing this, but it is possible for it to increase this role. He alleged that the EU cannot take some decisions because of the pressure exerted by the Greek Cypriots and that the Turkish Cypriots are suffering because of this.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.09.09) reports the following from New York:

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat, arrived in New York on Wednesday to hold a series of talks.

Talat is set to meet UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly meetings, as well as British Foreign Secretary David Milliband, the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, and the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

Talat also held a number of meetings in Washington before proceeding to New York.

[02] Talat asked for a US special envoy for Cyprus

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President, Mehmet Ali Tala,t urged the U.S. administration to remove isolations imposed on Turkish Cypriots and assign a special envoy to the island in an effort to contribute to the settlement of the problem.

We want the U.S. administration to contribute to the settlement process by removing isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and assign a special envoy from the State Department or at the presidential level, Talat told reporters after a meeting with the members of the Washington-based research center, Council on Foreign Relations.

Talat also said he told the Washington meeting about Turkey's positive contributions to the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

[03] Erdogan discusses Cyprus with the UN SecretaryGeneral. Ban Ki-moon expresses his appreciation over Turkey's support to the efforts of the UN Special Advisor on Cyprus

Turkey's premier held talks with the head official of the United Nations (UN) in New York, USA on Tuesday. The closed-door meeting between Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took place at the UN HQ.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, State Minister Ali Babacan, State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, Turkey's Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan and Undersecretary for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Feridun Sinirlioglu attended the meeting as well.

Cyprus issue, climate change, Turkish-Armenian relations, Afghanistan, the Middle East peace process and the situation in Gaza were on the agenda of the meeting between Erdogan and Ban Ki-moon, the UN Press Office said.

During the gathering, UN SecretaryGeneral expressed his appreciation over Turkey's support to UN Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer's efforts in the island, moreover, he said that he was optimistic about the ongoing negotiation process in Cyprus, the press office also said.

As part of his talks in New York, Erdogan met with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow as well. The two leaders discussed the bilateral relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan, regional developments and energy issue during their meeting, officials said.

[04] Eroglu stated that a similar to the Annan Plan solution plan might arise in the following months

Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Dervis Eroglu, has said people of the TRNC should stick heart and soul and wire in to their state. Otherwise, they are going to take our land and flag away from us, the Premier warned.

Stating that a surprise resolution plan, like that of the Annan Plan, might arise in the coming months, Mr Eroglu said the reality of the TRNC must stay in the essence of the Cyprus peace negotiations. He underlined the need for maintaining the existence of the TRNC as a state and said all citizens arriving from motherland Turkey are now citizens of the TRNC.

We are living under security and freedom. The only missing thing in Cyprus is a political settlement, but we are not going to give up on our gained rights for a settlement, he said.

Mr Eroglu made his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 4th International Carob Festival last night, which was organized by the Tatlisu [occupied Akanthou] municipality. The Festival was opened with colourful dance and illusion shows which were followed by some opening speeches.

In another opening speech, the Tatlisu Mayor Hayri Orcan said the Festival is aimed at promoting the carob tree and adding dynamism into social and cultural activities in the region. This was followed with a speech by the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Nazim Cavusoglu who said his ministry is working on a new project on planting 100 carob trees. Mr Cavusoglu said the goal is to uplift the market by increasing export.

One other speech was delivered by the leader of the Democrat Party, Serdar Denktas, who touched upon the recent statements made by the Greek Cypriot administration. He called many of the Greek Cypriot proposals offered at the negotiations table- unacceptable. Mr Denktas called on the people of the TRNC to be watchful and lay their claim to the state and land.

[05] Michael Leigh delivered a speech at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington

Referring to Turkeys EU accession process, Mr Leigh said that this is in the interest of both sides and added that they refer to these interests in the reports they publish. He noted that the issue of the energy resources is on the top of the agenda of the EU and expressed the support of the Union to the agreement signed in Ankara regarding the Nabucco project. He argued that the role of Turkey in the dialogue between civilizations and the prevention of polarization is very important. Therefore, it is time to remind everybody, who is concerned with the relation between Turkey and the EU, of the importance of the broad geopolitical interests, he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Oya Talat delivered a speech at the Woodrow Wilson Centre and invited its officials to visit the occupied areas of Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[07] Tufan Erhurman, member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team, explains how their proposal on federal executive safeguards the principle of two separate democracies

Member of the Cyprus Turkish negotiations team- law expert Tufan Erhurman -has evaluated the proposal on federal executive as put forward by the TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat, to the TAK News Agency.

The proposal envisages the election of members of federal presidency by the Senate, from a single list of candidates.

Associate Professor Erhurman said the proposal, presented under the Chapter on Administration and Power-Sharing, envisages coalition and cooperation among Cyprus Turkish and Greek Cypriot political parties, in the establishment leg of the federal government to be.

He said, however, that senators will be elected separately by the two peoples of Cyprus and thus the principle of two separate democracies will not be removed.

On rotatory presidency, which is a must for the Turkish side, Erhurman said the Greek Cypriot side has accepted this.

Details of the presidential system include the election of Cyprus Turkish and Greek Cypriot senators separately by their own communities. Senators will be of equal number from both sides and the Senate will be formed by 48 members in total, half Cyprus Turks and half Greek Cypriots. Members of Presidency, one Cyprus Turk and one Greek Cypriot, will be elected from a single list of candidates. The first round of elections foresees 50% plus 1 of the votes, that is 25 votes. Those 25 votes are the votes of Cyprus Turkish and Greek Cypriot parliamentarians where the number of parliamentarians will not be less then 12 on each side. If the first election round ends in failure, then the same procedure will apply in the second round. Two federal senate ballot papers with highest votes will enter the third round if necessary. If the third round fails too, the biggest Cyprus Turkish and Greek Cypriot political parties, will form an election government which will operate until another election takes place a year after.

If we look at todays conditions, the National Unity Party (UBP) would have the largest number of parliamentarians in the federal Senate as it is now the biggest in the TRNC Parliament. If rules above applied, the UBP would be able to form a coalition with the biggest Greek Cypriot political party to come up with a common list of candidates for the next election, Mr Erhurman explained.

The law expert said it is natural to see those against a federal settlement criticize such a proposal, but it will be very much surprising to see if those who favour a federal settlement reject such coalition and cooperation by the Senate.

[08] Ozgurgun met with British politicians in London

(I/Ts.)

[09] The ECHR orders Turkey to pay compensation for immoveable properties of Greek Cypriot displaced persons

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has handed down a ruling against Turkey in 18 cases brought by Greek Cypriots.

The statement of reasons put forward by the group of Greek Cypriots claimed that Turkey violated their human rights regarding their former immoveable properties that remained within the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Greek Cypriots owned immoveable properties in Girne [occupied Keryneia], Gazimagusa [occupied Famagusta], Ozankoy [occupied Kazafani] and Alsancak [occupied Karavas].

The ECHR ordered Turkey to pay compensation, but the amount remains unclear so far. The ECHR is expected to announce the compensation amount in the coming days.

[10] KTOEOS criticized the policy of the breakaway regime to bring teachers from Turkey

(I/Ts.)

[11] Erdogan meets representatives of leading US-Jewish groups for the first time after Davos

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's first meeting upon his arrival in New York on Monday was with representatives of leading US-Jewish groups, the first time he had held such meetings since an incident dubbed the Davos spat.

Erdogan, who arrived in New York to attend the UN General Assembly and then a G-20 summit in Pittsburgh, Pa., gathered with around 50 representatives of New York and Washington-based US-Jewish groups among whom Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), was also present.

The meeting took place at the Plaza Hotel, where Erdogan and his accompanying delegation have been staying. Relations between Turkey and Israel, regional allies who cooperate particularly in the military and defence arena, were strained after the Israeli army launched a deadly offensive in Gaza last December, leaving more than 1,300 people dead.

Erdogan walked out of a World Economic Forum session in Davos, Switzerland, in late January after an angry exchange with Israeli President Shimon Peres over the Gaza operation. But tension later subsided and dialogue between the two countries has been restored. In June, then-Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, who is now Turkey's permanent representative to the UN, visited Israel. Apakan then had talks on political and economic cooperation with Yossi Gal, director general of Israel's Foreign Ministry. The senior officials agreed that relations between the two countries should continue to improve.

Foxman, speaking with ANKA news agency after the meeting, called the Davos spat history, while the Anatolia news agency cited anonymous sources as saying that the meeting's environment was positive. Neither Erdogan nor us opened up this issue [Davos] during the meeting. It was a very positive meeting. Indeed, we have buried the Davos incident in history, Foxman, meanwhile, was quoted as saying by ANKA.

Subtitle: Davos part of history now

For us, what matters is the fact that Prime Minister Erdogan received us first as soon as he came to New York. This is an important point for us because Prime Minister Erdogan has shown the importance he attached to us as well as to relations between Turkey and Israel, Foxman also said.

Turkey maintains good relations with Arab nations as well as with Israel. In recent years, it has sought to play a more active role in the Middle East. It mediated several rounds of indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel. Yet, earlier this month, a senior Israeli government official said Israel, under right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would not resume Turkish-mediated peace talks with Syria, insisting that any new negotiations be direct.

Within days of the Davos incident, Foxman had welcomed Erdogan's remarks in which he made clear that his reaction in Davos did not target Israeli or Jewish people at all. We welcome Prime Minister Erdogan's comment upon returning to Istanbul that his criticism was not directed toward the Israeli people or Jews. We believe that a more moderate tone in the prime minister's criticism of Israel would help to tamp down the recent outpouring of anti-Semitism in Turkey, Foxman had said then.

After pressure from Armenian groups and some members of the ADL, Foxman reversed in 2007 the organization's long-held policy and decided to call the killings of Anatolian Armenians during the World War I era genocide. But Foxman insists that two resolutions pending in the US Congress endorsing the genocide claims would not help resolve the dispute between Turks and Armenians.

During the meeting at the Plaza Hotel, Erdogan told the group that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), whose Minsk Group has been working for a decade and a half to mediate the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, has been making a significant contribution to ongoing efforts for normalization of ties between Armenia and Turkey, Anatolia reported. He added that the Minsk Group, one of the three co-chairs of which is the United States along with France and Russia, should intensify its efforts for making more contributions to the normalization process, the agency said.

While the US-Jewish representatives expressed concern over the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in the Middle East as well as over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated denial of the Holocaust, Erdogan voiced Turkey's objection to all kinds of WMDs and nuclear weapons both in its region and in the entire world, Anatolia said, citing the same anonymous sources.

The US-Jewish representatives, meanwhile, conveyed the pleasure of the Jewish community in Turkey over the fact that the issue of discrimination was the first lesson for the 2009-2010 year at elementary and high schools throughout Turkey which started earlier this month.

[12] Military intelligence monitors activities of Istanbul University

According to a report dated June, 2005 all the activities of Istanbul University were being closely monitored. The 47-page report included in the case file in the trial of Ergenekon, a shadowy network of criminals nested within the state aiming to overthrow the democratically elected government.

The report examines the university's activities since Mesut Parlak was appointed the new rector after Kemal Alemdaroglu, who is currently standing trial on charges of being a leader of Ergenekon, was removed from office. Prepared by Maj. Gen. Ugur Uzal, serving at the First Army Command, in June 25, 2005 the report labels many academics including Parlak as of Kurdish origin, sympathizers of the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party], separatist, secessionist or former leftist militant.

It also notes in detail how the university management recruited people or launched disciplinary investigations or entered tenders or conducted graduation ceremonies off campus.

It was Professor Sevil Atasoy, former head of the Forensic Medicine Institute for 18 years, who presented the names to Gen. Uzal.

The report, To military intelligence units: Preliminary report on activities at Istanbul University directed at the Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] and pro-PKK activities aiming at overthrowing Turkey's unity and Kurdish separatist movements, was presented on August 6 of last year to the prosecutors of the Ergenekon investigation, who had demanded from the General Staff whether they had clues on the existence of such a report.

The report, which carries a top secret designation, claims that with Alemdaroglu's departure, the university has been restructured toward a pro-Kurdish stance. Among the academics who have been reported to military intelligence is former Forensic Medicine Council President Sebnem Korur Fincanci, who has been given co-plaintiff status due to the indirect harm caused by Ergenekon's actions.

The report claims that academics Fincanci and Sermet Koc, who had prepared a project called Independent Court Expertise in the Prevention of Torture, have been involved in radical left and separatist activities.

Among the other allegations of the report is that Parlak has been singled out as the central pillar of the mafia at the university. The report says that Parlak allows graduation ceremonies to take place at private locations to allow some female university graduates to wear their headscarves. The report also notes that there are female students wearing headscarves on the university campus.

The report also says that Parlak's family tree should be examined closely to reveal his Kurdish ties. Another remark about appointees made by Parlak ties the case to the Kurdish issue again. The report says that Tahsin Yesildere, who is of Kurdish origin and is a PKK supporter, was appointed to an influential position in the veterinary department.

[13] Turkish trade with the Arab world has increased

Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) President Omer Cihad Vardan has said increasing trade with Arab countries has eased problems for Turkey amidst an ongoing global financial crisis.

Underlining that Turkey has markedly improved both its political and economic relations with Arab countries in the past few years and that trade with these countries has increased, the MUSIAD head told Today's Zaman that such a fact has helped the country keep the crisis at bay to some extent. Today Arab markets prefer Turkish products more than they used to. We have seen an extraordinary increase in our exports to some Arab countries. For instance, Turkish exports to Egypt have jumped by 140 percent in the year's first seven months, compared to same period of 2008, while this increase was 50 percent to Syria and 40 percent to both Iraq and Morocco. We are expecting to encourage more Turkish exporters to reach out to these markets, Vardan noted.

Vardan recalled that an International Business Forum (IBF) will be held in Egypt between October 12 and 16. This meeting will offer vast business opportunities for Turkish entrepreneurs. Vardan said they will participate in the forum with a large delegation of 300 businessmen.

[14] Turkeys first student-made satellite will be launched today

(DPs)

EG/

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