Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-07-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ozgurgun evaluates the ongoing Cyprus talks

[02] Turkish Cypriot officials are having contacts in Brussels

[03] Turkeys main opposition party leader is set to visit the occupied areas

[04] Greek Cypriot arrested while taking photos of his house

[05] Syrian businessmen are visiting the occupied areas

[06] Houses built on Greek Cypriot land to be auctioned

[07] The illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines still on the agenda

[08] Turkish Cypriot producers platform reacts to economic situation

[09] DAU represented in ICSB annual meeting

[10] Davutoglu-Clinton telephone conversation

[11] EU officials to hold talks in Istanbul

[12] Turkey and Serbia expand cooperation

[13] Turkey and Zambia sign cooperation agreements

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] From the Turkish Press of 12July 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ozgurgun evaluates the ongoing Cyprus talks

In a written statement yesterday, Ozgurgun recalled the agreement between the leaders to avoid provocative statements and accused Christofias leadership of exploiting every opportunity internationally and on the island itself to accuse Turkey as occupier and colonizer.

He said that the Greek Cypriot side tries to create difficulties in the negotiations and added that while the property issue is being discussed in the negotiations, the Greek Cypriot side is trying to set pre-conditions such as territorial adjustments and the Turkish settlers. Ozgurgun claimed that the Greek Cypriot side has panicked because of the good will and the determination of the Turkish Cypriot side in the negotiations.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot officials are having contacts in Brussels

(EA)

[03] Turkeys main opposition party leader is set to visit the occupied areas

(EA)

[04] Greek Cypriot arrested while taking photos of his house

(I/Ts.)

[05] Syrian businessmen are visiting the occupied areas

According to the report, the delegation will examine the environment for investment and trade in the TRNC especially of citrus fruits and dairy products. Bahattin Hassan said in a statement that during their visit to the TRNC they will determine the fields for future cooperation, noting that representatives of all sectors are participating in his delegation. He stressed that as the Syrian business world they support Turkeys policy on Cyprus, because this policy aims at peace and unification of the island.

He said cooperation agreements with civilian organizations in the TRNC, may be signed and added: We are representatives of the private sector. If we have trade relations with the administration of south Cyprus, why should we not have trade relations with our brothers in the north?

He also pointed out that the character of the trade and economic relations started to change with the Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Syria, which entered into force in 2007, and that they are heading towards a strategic partnership with firm steps.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Houses built on Greek Cypriot land to be auctioned

The decision was taken by Girne District Court following a lawsuit by a buyer who had won a court case for repayment of £34,950 and additional £4,100 for damages. A date has yet to be set for the auction.

A statement by Ron Hugo, on behalf of the Amaranta Buyers Committee, said more than 200 mostly expat buyers stood to lose any claim on the land, worth an estimated £10 million, because of the legal move. More than £4.8 million were paid in instalments to Aga Construction boss, Gary Robb, for homes that were never completed. Because Robb failed to pay the money dictated by the TRNC courts, a sale order was sought and granted three years ago, but was hushed up until this week.

The paper says that Robb was deported to the UK in January last year to stand trial on serious drug charges. His citizenship, which had been reinstated on appeal, was scrapped by the government last year.

Hugo said Robbs guilty plea to the drugs charges and subsequent jailing this week meant he was a criminal on the run when he came to the TRNC and, accordingly, should never have been made a citizen a fact which enabled him to set up his construction company.

He added that more than 400 people have been affected. A great many of the buyers have been waiting for almost six years for their homes to be completed whilst paying rent of second mortgages.

A delegation of buyers of the Homebuyers-Pressure Group and United Aga Buyers, met with former TRNC President Rauf Denktas yesterday. According to the buyers, Denktas has promised to take up the issue with President Dervis Eroglu, Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk and Finance Minister Ersin Tatar.

The paper says that Amaranta Valley, built on former Greek Cypriot land at Klepini village, was Robbs most ambitious project which began in December 2004. Millions of pounds were paid to Robb, who fled to Thailand in July 2005 amid claims that the money for Amaranta and other building projects had run out. He negotiated his return to the occupied areas to complete the building projects, but several attempts to resume work failed.

The buyers say they are at an impasse as Gary Robb still remains, in theory, the owner of the land and add: His identity card has been removed and so he cannot sell, transfer of even give away the land at Klepini or issue title deeds for property. Nor can he appoint a power of attorney. The buyers have neither the money nor the ability to form a company to participate in the auction and describe their situation as disparate since.

Marian Stokes of the buyers-pressure group said: The government that deported Robb made no provisions for his victims. What is going to happen to the land that is in his name? People have paid, some in full, and their whole life savings have gone into Amaranta. Now they could end up with nothing.

[07] The illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines still on the agenda

The motion submitted by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Social Democracy Party (TDP), the Democratic Party (DP) and independent MP Ejder Aslanbaba says that the 35-year old national airline of the TRNC has been dissolved as a result of the agreement made with Atlas Jet airlines.

According to the regulations of the assembly, the body should notify Kucuk and his cabinet and the issue should be discussed within seven days. The plenary of the assembly will decide whether an inquiry will be launched.

Meanwhile, Kibris newspaper (13.07.10) also reports that Mehmet Dolmaci, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers Union (KITOB), said that the tourism sector suffered the biggest blow as a result of the crisis in the KTHY. Speaking to KIBRIS TV, Dolmaci noted that 15-20% of reservations in the hotels for July have been cancelled and warned that this percentage might increase in August and September. He called for measures and pointed out that 30% of the tourists to the occupied areas were carried by the KTHY. He noted that while an increase of around 10%, was expected, the opposite is happening. He said that the occupancy rate of the hotels this July fell by 50% in comparison to the same period last year. This means fatal consequences will be caused by the end of the year. He said that organizations in the tourism section are contemplating to establish their own aviation company and lease airplanes to carry tourists to the occupied areas in 2011.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Turkish Cypriot producers platform reacts to economic situation

The Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen chairman, Hurrem Tulga, said that for the first time the number of new enterprises is double the number of enterprises closing down. He said that paying 25% or more interest is like an unofficial bankruptcy announcement and added that conditions that would sustain enterprises should be created.

On the same topic, the chairman of the Citrus producers association, Mehmedali Aybar, said that public sector institutions are being Turkified under the pretext of privatization. Aybar argued that a big portion of the deposits in the TRNC central bank are transferred to Turkey and said that producers willing to take loans from Cypriot banks have to do so with 35% interest, while loans with 8% interest are given to deposits transferred to Turkey with the intervention of the TRNC central bank.

In his statements, Aybar also said that Turkeys Aid Delegation, while offering 2.5 million Turkish pounds (1.28 million euro) support to 3,000 local producers, it gives 14 million Turkish pounds (7.1 million euro) support to 3 Turkish merchants.

(IS)

[09] DAU represented in ICSB annual meeting

According to the newspaper, the president of ICSB, Annette St-Onge, said she would gladly participate as a speaker.

[10] Davutoglu-Clinton telephone conversation

According to diplomatic sources, Davutoglu and Clinton discussed cooperation in dealing with terrorism, steps to be taken about Irans nuclear programme, as well as the diplomatic process that would be pursued. It was also reported that the two officials took up Israels attack on a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Davutoglu reiterated the importance of establishing an international commission to investigate the attack. Sources said Clinton conveyed her views to Davutoglu on her visit to the Caucasus, while Davutoglu relayed his views regarding his visit to the Balkans.

[11] EU officials to hold talks in Istanbul

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the chief EU negotiator and State Minister Egemen Bagis, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Catherine Ashton, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, as well as officials from the European Commission and the EU Council, will participate in the meeting.

We will discuss not only the negotiation process but also all regional and global issues, Upon our request, counterterrorism efforts are also included in the agenda. Our prior expectation was to have more and effective support from both the European Commission and the member countries against this trouble called terrorism, Bagis said.

In addition, as the paper writes, the Turkish governments ongoing efforts for a constitutional reform, the dispute between the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany (P5+1) and Turkeys neighbour Iran and the latters controversial nuclear programme, the Middle East peace process and the western Balkans are some of the items also on the agenda.

[12] Turkey and Serbia expand cooperation

Turkish Airlines is also in talks to buy Serbias main airline, Jat Airways. Erdogan said his government would and back further cooperation in area of aviation. He also described his talks in Serbia as productive and said they political, military, economic, cultural and administrative relations were reviewed, the paper writes.

Erdogan visited Serbia after attending a ceremony commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbian President Boris Tadic was also present at the ceremony.

Furthermore, Erdogan said that Turkey and Serbia confirmed their determination to improve cooperation on regional issues, particularly on supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

[13] Turkey and Zambia sign cooperation agreements

Explaining that Turkey is focusing on enhancing political and, especially, economic ties with African countries, the paper reports on statement of the Turkish President during a press conference that Turkey is ready to improve cooperation with Zambia in the fields of agriculture, mining, energy and transportation. Turkey will pay close attention to the African continent and especially to Zambia. The paper adds that agreements to establish channels for political consultations, as well as agreements on civil aviation and training of diplomats, were signed during the visit. The two countries are working on more agreements focusing on economic relations.

Gul also said Turkey is to open an embassy in Zambia as part of a wider programme to launch diplomatic missions in Africa with a view to improve economic, trade and political ties as well as to help them overcome their problems. Gul said he has paid frequent visits to African countries and noted Turkey the support Turkey received from nearly all the African countries for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] From the Turkish Press of 12July 2010

Writing in Hurriyet, Fatih Cekirge notes that the Turkish media approach on the war on the PKK has not changed since 1986 and confirms this by citing relevant headlines. Criticizing the government for acting as if it is making an overture but in fact is doing nothing and also for not displaying the courage to realize changes, Cekirge says: "A solution is impossible with only weapons, democracy is impossible with rage, and politics is impossible with hatred. Do you not understand?"

In an article in Milliyet, Kadri Gursel says that the Kurdish overture has exposed the "separatist Turks" who dream about living in a "Kurd-free Turkey", but he adds: "The truth is that a Kurd-free Turkey is an anti-utopia and is a dream of a bad and dark future," Gursel says, adding that under such circumstances it will be understood in a tragic manner that division will not to resolve the Kurdish problem. A country that forces its citizens to migrate in order to become homogeneous, cannot become democratic, Gursel says pointing out that: "It will become a pariah in the international arena. Therefore forget about Europe." Moreover, he adds, "the economy of a country that forces its labour force to migrate will shrink. Therefore forget about prosperity!"

In an article in Yeni Safak, columnist Yasin Aktay comments on allegations, "confirmed by witnesses," of mistreatment of the corpses of PKK militants killed in clashes with Turkish security forces. He warns that if these claims are true, then there is a very serious human issue.

Yeni Safak hosts a commentary by Associate Professor Emre Uslu of Yeditepe University entitled "Democratic initiative decreases the number of militants joining the PKK". Professor Uslu argues that the average age of PKK militants killed in clashes with Turkish troops has increased from 20 in the 1990s to 25 in the past few months. This, he says, indicates that the Government's democratic overture has resulted in a decrease in the number of people joining the "terrorist group".

b) Turkish-Israeli ties / Interview with Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Gulnur Aybet views the deterioration in the ties between Turkey and Israel since the Israeli raid on Gaza in 2009 and speaks about the regional repercussions of a decision to break off ties with Israel. Drawing attention to the role that Britain should play in this crisis, Aybet calls for an international inquiry with or without Israel's consent and the establishment of an international monitoring mission to check cargo ships bound for Gaza, as a stop-gap measure to avoid a future tragedy.

In an interview in Ramallah to Bunyamin Aygun of Milliyet, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad speaks about the peace talks with the Netanyahu government, the impact of the deterioration in the Turkish-Israeli ties, the ties with the Palestinian Authority, and the plans to establish an independent Palestinian state in 2011.

An article by Asli Aydintasbas in Milliyet refers to the Netanyahu-Obama meeting and Washington's efforts to repair ties between Israel and Turkey and argues that the United States is trying to establish an international commission for the investigation of the flotilla raid. In such a case, tension may drop and Israel may be forced to pay damages, notes Aydintasbas and adds that Turkey will then be able to say that her demands have been met and as a result, ties between the two countries may enter a process of normalization.

Hikmet Bila writing in Vatan, refers to the interview to Newsweek (09.07.10 - Davutoglu: We are part of the west) by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in which, Bila says, the Foreign Minister accuses the international community of not siding with Turkey and of not condemning Israel for the raid on the aid flotilla. The writer argues that the international community will merely laugh at the fact that the Turkish foreign minister challenges both Israel and the international community, and adds: "The stand adopted the Foreign Ministry goes beyond being harmful and points to a dangerous tendency. To ignore the international community and the international institutions and to say 'I will act alone' means to also take the risk of turning Turkey into an isolated country and into a target in the eyes of the world."

c) CHP's proposal to reduce election threshold

Yusuf Kanli in a commentary in Hurriyet Daily News, criticizes the tyranny of the party leaders in Turkey and praises the proposal of Republican People's Party, (CHP) to reduce the election threshold to 7%, adding: "This is the first time that the CHP came up officially with such a proposal that reflected a change in the mentality of the main opposition party."

d) Economy

Citing a study by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, an editorial in Hurriyet Daily News draws attention to Turkeys has transformation from food exporter to importer and says: "The notion that Turkey must somehow 'pick' whether to be an industrial or agrarian society is a false choice. It can and should be both." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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