Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-01-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Turkish Cypriot political party leaders and Mrs Orams after the verdict of the British Court of Appeals

[02] Turkish MFA on the latest decision on Orams case

[03] Ercakica commends on the verdict for the Orams couple; The occupation regime states ready to help the couple financially

[04] Talat is discussing the situation after the decision on the Orams case with lawyers and members of his negotiating team

[05] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover the decision of the British Court on the Orams case

[06] Eroglu blames Greek Cypriots for flood damage in the occupied areas

[07] A hospital at illegal YDU is expected to get into operation in March 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Turkish Cypriot political party leaders and Mrs Orams after the verdict of the British Court of Appeals

Under the title The decision is political, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.01.10) reports that in statements to the paper, Linda Orams alleged the following: We know that the decision is political. We will allow to no one to destroy our lives. The struggle continues.

Linda Orams said they assumed that the decision of the court would be roughly this. She described the decision as political and added that they would discuss with their lawyers the steps they would take after this decision. After a few weeks we will come to northern Cyprus and meet with the persons concerned, she said and added, inter alia, the following: We are obliged to do whatever we can to avoid the implementation of the decision of the court. Because now the British justice has taken a decision against us and we cannot ignore it. We have to do the best we can and prevent the implementation of the decision. We seriously believe that the decision is political.

The paper writes that Erdogan Dervis, Turkish Cypriot advocate who lives in London and followed the Orams case, alleged that the decision violated the Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union.

Under the title Eroglu: The decision is unfair, Kibris (20.01.10) refers also to the reactions to the decision by the Turkish Cypriot political party leaders and the self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime, Huseyin Ozgurgun.

Dervis Eroglu, self-styled prime minister and chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), said the decision of the British court was not a surprise for him and noted that usually the decisions taken in Europe do not change in the EU member countries. He described the decision as unfair and alleged that it ignored the realities and proved once more that the Turkish Cypriots should trust their motherland Turkey. He alleged: This is a decision taken in order to corner the Turkish side at the [negotiating] table, to create difficulties to it. However, the Turks of Cyprus will not give up the rights they gained. They will continue to defend their just cause abroad and at the negotiating table. They will pursue an agreement to live in peace and security on the TRNC lands under the guarantees of Turkey.

The self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Huseyin Ozgurgun said that there is no need for panic and gave the following assurance to the approximately 15 thousand Brits, who purchased property and live in the occupied areas of Cyprus: Our state will not victimize anyone. We are in the position of being able to take any kind of administrative and legal decision which is necessary.

Mr Ozgurgun said that after the decision of the British Court, he met with some foreigners living in the occupied areas of Cyprus and noted that these persons are more determined to struggle than the authorities of the breakaway regime. We will take the necessary measures. We will not victimize anyone, he concluded.

Moreover, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), connected the result of the Orams case to the existence of some international problems in the property system. He said the only way out is to find a political solution to the Cyprus problem. Even if you follow a policy for a separate state and they recognize you, you have to sign the treaty of the Council of Europe, he noted. The legal way is the solution and the property issue should be solved within this framework, he said.

Meanwhile, Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), said the decision will directly influence the citizens of the TRNC, breakaway regime in the occupied part of Cyprus, not only the foreigners living there. He pointed out that the Courts of the Republic of Cyprus might show the Orams Case as a precedent and take decisions regarding other properties which have been developed in the occupied areas. He argued that the decision will have catastrophic consequences for the economy of the breakaway regime. Mr Denktas expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriot side will come into a difficult situation in the negotiations and added that the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat should quickly call a meeting for evaluating the situation. He said the assembly should carry out an investigation on how this case was lost for the Turkish Cypriots.

Moreover, Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) said this decision was the expected result and showed that the property regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus has collapsed. He noted that this decision was the result of the mentality I conquered and I distribute the plunder. He said this is a result of the past mistakes of the politicians, who were not able to see the future. He noted that the only thing that should be done is to find an early solution to the Cyprus problem. Otherwise many more prices will be paid because of wrong policies. Let no one try to cover his mistakes over enmity towards the Greek Cypriots, he concluded.

Furthermore, Turgay Avci, leader of the Freedom and Reform party (ORP), said that he did not expect the British government to take such a decision now. He noted that he thought that this decision would be postponed for later, but he was mistaken. He described the decision as unacceptable, unfortunate and one sided from the point of view of the Turkish Cypriots.

On the Orams case verdict, Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (20.01.10) publishes statements made on the issue by Serden Hoca, member of the Turkish Cypriot committee which discusses the property issue at the negotiations. According to Mr Hoca, approximately 10 thousand foreigners reside in the occupied areas, of which 5 thousand own property. Of those, 90% are British. Due to the verdict of the British court, a number of these will sell property out of panic.

Called to answer a question on how the verdict will have an impact on the negotiations, Serden Hoca alleged that this decision is going to harden the stance of the Greek Cypriots on the property issue, who ask for the return of their properties in the occupied areas.

Responding to a question whether the Greek Cypriots will continue to file law suits, Mr Hoca said that if the government or the church continue to undercover provide their support and if the government takes such a political decision, it is possible the filing of many Greek Cypriot law suits.

(I/Ts, ML)

[02] Turkish MFA on the latest decision on Orams case

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said Tuesday the British Court of Appeals' latest decision on the Orams case was "thought provoking" from many perspectives.

The British court's decision would complicate the Cyprus problem at a time when comprehensive negotiations are taking place within the UN perimeters designed to establish a new partnership based on bi-zonality, political equality and two founding states, the MFA stated in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Such a decision may result in the Greek Cypriot administration's withdrawal from the goal of a solution, the MFA stressed.

The British court decided that a decision taken by a Greek Cypriot court could be implemented in Britain. The decision of the British court is against the nature of a new partnership in the island. The decision shows how the Greek Cypriot administration betrays its EU membership gained in an unfair manner, the MFA stressed.

The timing of the British court is fatal from the perspective of good will and legal character when one considers the negotiations in the island, the MFA said.

The British court has disregarded the existence of a legal system in North Cyprus as was referred to in the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, the MFA said.

The precautions to be taken after the British court's decision will jointly be evaluated with officials from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the MFA also said.

[03] Ercakica commends on the verdict for the Orams couple. The occupation regime states ready to help the couple financially.

Mr Ercakica said they are examining in detail the decision on the Orams case and evaluate the possibilities of appealing to a higher court and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Mr Ercakica noted that the TRNC state with all its institutions is by the side of the Orams couple and all necessary measures for them not to be victimized in any way will be taken.

He alleged that the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU before the solution of the Cyprus problem was wrong and that this extremely unfair decision taken today is a new reflection of that mistake.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot midweek Cyprus Today (20.01.10) under the title, Weve lost it, publishes the following report by Mel Fairhurst and Ulas Baris:

Linda and David Orams have lost their five-year landmark legal battle to keep hold of their Lapta [occupied Lapithos] dream home.

But the TRNC Presidency has pledged financial and mental support to the retired couple, offering to pay their compensation bill and provide them with a new house if necessary.

The Court of Appeal in London yesterday accepted the direction of the European Court of Justice that a ruling in one European Union member state must be enforced in another.

That means a 2004 decision of South Nicosia District Court that the Oramses must quit their land, demolish their villa and pay back rent and compensation to original Greek Cypriot owner Meletis Apostolides can be enforced in the courts of England and Wales.

If the couple refuse to abide by the decision, their home in Hove, Sussex, and any assets they have in the UK, could be at risk.

However, presidential spokesman Hasan Ercakica told Cyprus Today We are going to help the Oramses and we are going to pay the compensation and provide another house for the couple if needed.

This is the first case and we are going to do it that way. I dont know if there will be another case or cases and I dont know whether we are going to help in another case.

This could mean the retired couple get to keep their Lapta home and their property in the UK.

Yesterdays hearing was told that suggestions that Greek ECJ president Vassilios Skouris was too close to the Greek Cypriot cause, having been granted South Cypruss top honour, the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, were unfounded. Mr Skouris had also met a delegation of Greek Cypriot deputies in the run-up to last Aprils direction.

Lord Justice Pill said: In my judgement, there is no appearance of bias in this case. The present case was decided by a Grand Chamber according to legal principles. The perception of the reasonable and informed observer would be, as is my perception, that there was no real possibility that the President [Mr Skouris] would be influenced by the honour be received, or by his other contacts.

Speaking exclusively to Cyprus Today from Sussex, Mrs Orams said: We knew [the verdict] about a week ago but were sworn to secrecy. We will go through the judgement, which is 53 pages long, and continue to fight if we can.

It is disappointing. We expected the case to go back to the European Court of Justice, but we have learned over the years that you cant predict anything. We have taken it on the chin. We dont know whats going to happen.

We are grateful for the support of good friends and from people we dont know who are supporting us in North Cyprus [occupied areas of Cyprus].

The result is disappointing and a blow to us, but we will not let it ruin our lives. We believe that we unwittingly became entangled in an extremely complex political situation: the dispute between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities over property in Cyprus. We know the ruling will also be of great concern to the many foreign property-owners in Cyprus.

We continue to believe that only a political settlement can resolve the property issue and hope that the judgement will not undermine that process. Marian Stokes, chairman of the HomeBuyers Pressure Group, said: My heart is broken for Linda and David and I am devastated and totally shocked at the news.

I think we thought the case would go back to the European Court of Justice. I cannot even imagine how Linda and David are feeling and my heart goes out to them.

Morton Coles, chairman of the British Residents Society, said: As I understand it, not all possible avenues have been exhausted. The whole thing is a shame because the property issue is so complex and there are thousands of expats living here and thousands of Turkish Cypriots with properties on the other side. We feel for the Oramses and ultimately the only solution will be through a settlement one way or another. It should be noted the Immovable Property Commission has helped in about 400 cases surely that has t be the way forward.

The "Orams case" involved a litigation by a Greek Cypriot, Meletis Apostolides, who sued in 2004 in a Greek Cyprus court for the return of land his family abandoned after Turkey's intervention in 1974.

Linda and David Orams built a house on the property that was claimed by Apostolides and his family.

Reacting to the British court's decision on Tuesday, Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Huseyin Ozgurgun said that the Turkish Cypriots lived in security and peace in the TRNC.

The issue of Cyprus can not be solved by legal cases, Ozgurgun stressed.

Such cases aim at hiding the truth in Cyprus, Ozgurgun noted.

What was experienced can not be forgotten. It is out of question to reach any success by cases involving property in Cyprus, Ozgurgun also said.

[04] Talat is discussing the situation after the decision on the Orams case with lawyers and members of his negotiating team

The sources said the decision was similar to the decisions taken by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding property issues in Cyprus and added that its implementation will also be the same. They especially emphasized that these decisions do not include any solution to the property issue in Cyprus. This decision does not include any mechanism regarding the methods (compensation, exchange, return) through which the situation of the Greeks and the Turks, whose property rights are violated, will be restored, they said.

The paper writes that the situation after the decision on the Orams case will be discussed today during meetings, in which many persons will participate. Tonight the developments on the issue and the influence of the decision on the Cyprus talks will be taken up during a meeting at the Turkish Cypriot leaders office with the participation of lawyers and members of Mr Talats negotiating team.

(I/Ts.)

[05] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover the decision of the British Court on the Orams case

Afrika: Deadly blow. The paper writes that the decision put an end to the property issue in Cyprus and describes it as the most important decision on the property issue since 1974 and as great blow to those who say we have taken it with blood and we will not give it away at the negotiating table.

Yeni Volkan: Sentence of death. The paper argues that the decision is a creation of Talat and his comrade Christofias. It also calls on the Turkish Cypriot leader to abandon the talks after this decision, undertake his responsibility and resign.

Halkin Sesi: Defeat for the Orams. The paper alleges that the British court has created a climate of crisis with the decision it took without taking into consideration the current structure in Cyprus.

Bakis: Disastrous day! The paper refers to two events which influenced the occupied areas of Cyprus yesterday: The decision of the British Court which it describes as the Orams nightmare and the flood in the occupied areas of Morfou and Lefkosia.

Haberdar: The Orams decision is like a second disaster!

Yeni Duzen: Negative but expected and The decision is against the Orams couple!

Star Kibris: We have lost the Orams case.

The Turkish mainland press (20.01.10) covered the verdict of the British Court of Appeals on the Orams case as follows:

Hurriyet reports on the issue under the front page title The Orams calamity for the TRNC.

Sabah reports on the verdict under the title Decision against the TRNC and writes that the Greek Cypriot Meletis Apostolides has won the law suit filed against the British Orams couple which has built a villa house in a plot which was owned by Mr. Apostolides family before 1974.

Cumhuriyet covers the issue under the front page title Bad news for the TRNC.

(I/Ts, ML)

[06] Eroglu blames Greek Cypriots for flood damage in the occupied areas

Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Dervis Eroglu, said Tuesday directing flood waters from the Greek Cypriot side to the TRNC's regions of settlements was an inhuman behavior.

Prime Minister Eroglu and an accompanying delegation of ministers visited the Guzelyurt [Morphou] region and observed the disaster caused by the flood waters that came from the Greek Cypriot administration side.

Speaking live on the Bayrak Television (BRT), Eroglu said that the TRNC faced a great disaster.

We are working to alleviate the pain of our people and to minimize the damage, Eroglu said.

Unfortunately, many homes were filled with mud and water. Many people do not have a place to sleep in, Eroglu said.

A committee is working to determine the amount of damage that was made by flood waters. A meeting to assess the situation will take place in Lefkosia in the afternoon, Eroglu said.

There is a great amount of damage that was made by flood waters in Guzelyurt. Humans in the region are in a state of panic, Eroglu said.

I thank our troops and other personnel for their efforts to help those affected by flood waters, Eroglu also said.

n the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.01.10) reports from occupied Lefkosia the following:

Turkey will send a financial aid of 1 million USD to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) following recent flood disaster.

The Turkish Embassy in Lefkosia said in a statement on Tuesday that floods triggered by torrential rains caused heavy damage in Guzelyurt [Morphou] and adjacent areas.

"The Turkish government has decided to send a financial aid of 1 million USD to the TRNC as an effort to give a helping hand to Turkish Cypriot people who were badly affected by the flood disaster," the statement added.

Under the title The fairytale that the Greek Cypriot water gate opened, Turkish Cypriot Kibrisli newspaper (20.01.10) reports on the great flood-disaster that occurred in the occupied areas of Cyprus, and specifically in occupied Morfou and occupied Zodia. Nevertheless, as the paper writes, the good news is that Turkey decided to offer one million dollars as aid towards the flood-disaster.

Inter alia, the paper writes that some people spread the false information that the floods were caused by the opening of a water valve of a dam that belongs to the Greek Cypriots. As it is written, they tried to manipulate the people by giving the message that if the water valve of the Greek Cypriots had not been opened, the Turkish Cypriots would not have lived this disaster.

[07] A hospital at illegal YDU is expected to get into operation in March 2010

(EA)

/EG

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