Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-04-06

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu met with settlers from Alexandretta and Cukurova; He reiterated that they are working for an agreement that will not degrade their gained rights

[02] Statements by Ozgurgun from London

[03] NGO delegation visits Denktas

[04] Threatening letter against KTOS

[05] Kucuk visited the EU Coordination Center in occupied Lefkosia

[06] An initiative opposing the construction of skyscrapers in occupied Kyrenia has been established

[07] The residents of the occupied Neo Chorio Kythreas show their displeasure to the state of the Greek Cypriot cemetery in the village

[08] "LAU" to organise an international history congress

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Turkish and Indonesian Presidents hold joint press conference and issue a joint declaration over Libya

[10] Davutoglu's visit to Bahrain

[11] Arinc met with the UN Secretary General

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu met with settlers from Alexandretta and Cukurova; He reiterated that they are working for an agreement that will not degrade their gained rights

During a meeting with a delegation from the "Association of Brotherhood, Solidarity and Culture representing people from Hatay [Alexandretta]", Eroglu said, the negotiations team was working towards reaching an agreement that would safe that guard the earned "rights" of the Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking during the visit, he stressed that the support, the acknowledgement and the unity of the public were all factors which strengthened his hand at the negotiating table.

Noting that demands of the two parties in Cyprus were clear, he said that the Greek Cypriot side had excessive expectations from the negotiations process.

Regarding the negotiations process, Eroglu stated that it is proceeding slowly because of the upcoming general elections in "south Cyprus" on May 22 and added that extensive efforts nevertheless were continuing.

He also claimed that the willingness of the Turkish Cypriot side is not enough to resolve the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the stalemate on the property issue, Eroglu expressed the belief that this problem will be resolved.

Moreover, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (06.04.11), Eroglu met also yesterday with a delegation from the new administration board of the "Solidarity Association of Cukurova".

Speaking during the visit, Eroglu referred to the prolonged ongoing negotiation process and claimed that it was always the Greek Cypriot side which abandoned the negotiations. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue exerting efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem although not much progress has been achieved in a number of important chapters.

Eroglu stated further that the Turkish Cypriot side proceeds to the negotiations table having always in mind the future of the Turkish Cypriots and said that they are determined to continue living in their "country".

(AK)

[02] Statements by Ozgurgun from London

Speaking on London's Turkish Radio, Ozgurgun alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is constantly creating obstacles for both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side truly desires a solution to the Cyprus problem, contrary to the Greek Cypriot side. Self-styled foreign minister emphasized also the need for the Greek Cypriot side to be encouraged towards a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side rejected all proposals put on the table, Ozgurgun claimed that the "Greek Cypriot administration's" intransigent stance raised serious questions as to how a solution could be reached on the island.

Noting that almost no progress has been reached in the negotiations process that has been continuing for years, he said that apart from the little progress reached on the governance and power sharing, economy and EU chapters, no progress had been achieved on the property, territory and security chapters.

Claiming that all "TRNC citizens are citizens of this country", Ozgurgun said that the issue is constantly brought forward at the negotiating table but that the Turkish side did not allow the issue to become a subject of debate.

Referring to "TRNC citizens" living in Britain, Ozgurgun said that these "citizens" are eligible to vote in the "TRNC" on the condition that they lived in the "country" for three years.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (06.04.11) publishes an exclusive interview with Ozgurgun who reiterated his positions concerning the ongoing negotiation process and, inter alia, said that someone would be very optimistic to believe that an agreement will be reached as a result of the conclusion of the ongoing negotiations talks.

(AK)

[03] NGO delegation visits Denktas

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the President of the Ataturkist Life Association Ahmet Iscan reminded that the Cyprus negotiations process was going through an importance phase. He said that the Turkish Cypriot people desired the talks to reach a conclusion and expressed the hope that their concerns about the future will be addressed. Explaining that they will hold a series of contacts abroad, Iscan informed Denktas of their plans to launch lobbying activities in Berlin and Brussels aimed at voicing the Turkish Cypriot's "just cause."

For his part, Denktas said that the lobbying is a serious business, one that requires the support of the "government". He said that it was important not to abandon the principle of political equality and Turkey's effective guarantees in the event of a solution.

[04] Threatening letter against KTOS

The administrators of KTOS, speaking to reporters in front of the "police station" in the occupied part of Lefkosia, said that they have serious suspicions that the death threat comes from the UBP's Solidarity Association in London.

Sener Elcil, General Secretary of KTOS, said that the Turkish army came to the island in 1974 in order to restore the constitutional order, adding, that for this reason" the Turkish army is responsible for the public order in the north part of the island".

Referring to those who sent the threatening letter from London, Elcil said it is easy to make threats from far away, however, he added instead of making threats from there, they should come to the island and face the realities. He also said that they should not forget that the British are those who divided the island and set the communities against each other.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (06.04.11) reports that Elcil, in statements to the paper, said that the total number of Turks married to Turkish Cypriots, has increased from 15.000 to 45.000. He added that he is not against the people who come from Turkey, but to those who manipulate them politically. This problem will continue, if there's to be no solution to the Cyprus problem, Elcil also said.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (06.04.11), in its front page under the title "If you don't file, we will file", reports that UBP's Solidarity Association in London, in a written announcement yesterday, said that 44 new documents proving the "treason" of Sener Elcil have been filed to the "police" and to the "attorney general" and called the "attorney general" to file a suit against him. They also said that if the "attorney general" won't file suit against Elcil, then the "patriotic associations" will do.

[05] Kucuk visited the EU Coordination Centre in occupied Lefkosia

Kucuk also said that the issue of support to harmonization efforts came up in meetings with Ambassadors of EU countries, that efforts to harmonize "TRNC laws" with EU laws were continuing and that a large number of "laws" were already prepared in line with that goal. "Up until now 25 to 26 draft laws have been prepared, some of these draft laws are on the agenda of the parliament and some are on the agenda of the council of ministers" he said.

[06] An initiative opposing the construction of skyscrapers in occupied Kyrenia has been established

Making a statement on the issue, Tolun said that the creation of a skyscraper in Kyrenia, which is being described as the "pearl of northern Cyprus and the locomotive of tourism", means the violation of the city. He added that "such an attack to Kyrenia, one of the world's most beautiful locations, is the biggest harm that can be inflicted to the Turkish Cypriots and the following generations". Stating that the prestigious monuments of the city are the Castle of Kyrenia, the castle of St. Hillarion and the Bellapais monastery, Tolun noted that approaches aiming the damage of these beautiful culture heritages are unacceptable. He, inter alia, added that with the construction of a skyscraper in Kyrenia, the natural, historical and cultural texture of the city will be ruined and the life quality of the city's people will be affected negatively.

In his statement, Tolun said that those who have given the permission for committing such a crime will have to give an account for this and he demanded the correction of this mistake as soon as possible.

[07] The residents of the occupied Neo Chorio Kythreas show their displeasure to the state of the Greek Cypriot cemetery in the village

Referring to the Greek Cypriot visitors of the cemetery who grieve over the view of this situation, the residents said that this is a "human disgrace" and called on the "officials" to proceed to the restoration of the cemetery as soon as possible. They added that the graves should be protected and that respect towards dead people should be shown irrespective of their religion. "Such a damage does not suit neither to our religion nor to our humane feelings," they stressed.

[08] "LAU" to organise an international history congress

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Turkish and Indonesian Presidents hold joint press conference and issue a joint declaration over Libya

Gul also expressed his pleasure for the Indonesia visit and said: "Turkey and Indonesia are two most developed countries of the Islamic world. Their common characteristics include having a large population and being ruled in democracy. There are opportunities for the two countries to cooperate more. We discussed with President Yudhoyono ways to boost cooperation in defence industry, tourism, agriculture and education."

President Yudhoyono, in his part, said that President Gul was the first Turkish President visiting Indonesia after 16 years and that this visit was historic. "Our economic and commercial relations with Turkey are developing. The two countries move towards developing strategic partnership," Yudhoyono said. He also added that they discussed the recent developments in the Middle East, Northern Africa and Libya, and said that if a ceasefire was reached in Libya and an international effort was made to preserve peace, then Indonesia might participate in such an international effort.

Moreover, the two Presidents issued the following joint declaration: "There is an urgent need for an immediate and effective ceasefire in Libya to end the suffering of the innocent civilians and the supervision of the ceasefire by a UN team to be deployed in the country." The declaration also says that the two Presidents urged the United Nations to work in close cooperation with regional organizations to secure "a viable, peaceful and a democratic political environment that would reflect the will of the Libyan people."

Later on, Gul and Yudhoyono attended the Turkish-Indonesian Business Forum in Jakarta. Speaking at the meeting, Gul urged businessmen for mutual investments, and stronger cooperation between Turkey and Indonesia. Pointing to his country's "master plan" for the next 15 years, Yudhoyono said that Turkish businessmen should get a significant share from the investments to be conducted in Indonesia during that period.

[10] Davutoglu's visit to Bahrain

As part of his visit, Davutoglu also met Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmad bin Muhammad Al Khalifa and Kuwait's Deputy Premier & Foreign Minister Muhammad Al-Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah over a luncheon and held a press conference with Bahrain's Foreign Minister.

Davutoglu said that problems in Bahrain should be solved by the Bahraini people and said that Turkey supports reforms in Bahrain. The Turkish Foreign Minister is expected to proceed today to Damascus, Syria after completing his talks in Bahrain.

[11] Arinc met with the UN Secretary General

EG/

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