Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-08-05

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot breakaway regime reacts to gas exploration in Cyprus EEZ

[02] Eroglu met with the Dutch Ambassador

[03] Durust met with a delegation from Kyrgyzstan

[04] Cavusoglu comments on the regulation of green and white "identity cards"

[05] A call from ISAD for a Cyprus settlement

[06] KAMU-SEN chairman: "Turkish Cypriots live with the fear of losing their identity"

[07] The "Turkish Cypriot tourist guides union" asked for the opening for sightseeing of the fenced off town of Varosha

[08] Iftar tents appear in occupied Cyprus

[09] Turkey confirms seizure of Iranian arms shipment to Syria

[10] Counter-terrorism in the agenda of top Turkish officials

[11] Davutoglu met with Ghana's Foreign Minister; Turkey to help Somalia

[12] Turkish Central Bank cuts policy interest rate to prevent recession

[13] Turkish analyst comments on reactions for the UK Parliament's Home Affairs Committee report

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

A security meeting chaired by Premier Erdogan to discuss counter-terrorism, Davutoglu's meeting with his Ghanaian counterpart, the Turkish aid to Somalia, the Central Banks decision to reduce interest rates, the military's new appointments, the probe for match fixing extending also to Galatasaray football club and other internal issues are the main subjects in today's Turkish press.

[01] The Turkish Cypriot breakaway regime reacts to gas exploration in Cyprus EEZ

Speaking to reporters after the Republic of Cyprus announced that it would begin drilling for natural gas in the Mediterranean as of October 2011, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said that "such a move would cause headaches".

Eroglu claimed that the underwater richness around the island of Cyprus do not belong to Greek Cypriots only, but to Turkish Cypriots and Turkey as well, and therefore, the Greek Cypriot side should not initiate exploration activities in the region.

Irsen Kucuk, so-called prime minister, also said that exploring the underground richness around Cyprus before achieving a settlement in the island would lead to several inconveniences.

Kucuk alleged that the Turkish Cypriots had certain rights stemming from the Treaties of 1960 concerning the waters surrounding Cyprus. He said that he believes the "Greek Cypriot administration" [as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus] will act with common sense and reconsider its decision to explore for natural gas.

[02] Eroglu met with the Dutch Ambassador

[03] Durust met with a delegation from Kyrgyzstan

Welcoming the delegation, Durust expressed his satisfaction at seeing the delegation - which arrived from a far-off country, with the aim of carrying out briefing visits on the education system that exists in the "TRNC". Durust said that they were aiming to explain to other nations, especially Turkic nations, about the "existence of the TRNC state". He also stressed that they are ready "to embrace Kyrgyz students who prefer to study in the TRNC".

[04] Cavusoglu comments on the regulation of green and white "identity cards"

Referring to the matter, Cavusoglu reiterated that it will be implemented after taking the view of the "attorney general". Noting that these "regulations" are a decision of their "government", Cavusoglu added that Turkey does not have any suggestion or expectation. He explained that Turkey is interested for its people who are in the occupied area; however, he added Turkey also respects the decisions of the "TRNC government".

Cavusoglu clarified that after the "regulation" will go into effect, the new workers that will arrive to the occupied area would not be able to stay more than 4 years, however, he added, this "regulation" will not affect those who are already in the occupied area.

Replying to a question when the Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus affairs Besir Atalay is planning to visit the occupied area, Cavusoglu said that he will visit the occupied area after Ramazan Bayram to participate in a meeting of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), which will be held in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Cavusoglu also said that Atalay will visit them any time there is need.

[05] A call from ISAD for a Cyprus settlement

Metin Sadi, chairman of ISAD, said that if for any reason there is no solution this year, then after this, everyone should understand that the parameters will change. He called everyone to make a serious and urgent contribution in the negotiation process.

[06] KAMU-SEN chairman: "Turkish Cypriots live with the fear of losing their identity"

Issuing a written statement on the latest developments in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Ozkardas said that the three most serious problems experienced in the occupied area are "the uncontrolled population, the illegal labour force, and the citizenship distribution". He noted that these three problems should be seen from economic, social and cultural aspect, as well as from a political aspect, adding that the influence of these problems on the future of the Turkish Cypriots should be discussed.

Referring to the ongoing intensified talks on the Cyprus problem, Ozkardas stated that in such a period, all the NGOs, the political parties and consequently, the Turkish Cypriots have to focus on the solution in Cyprus, by noting that it is clear, that quarrelling for "domestic issues" will not benefit anyone.

Ozkardas reiterated that they will continue to oppose those three problems, stressing, inter alia, that with such practices, the demographic structure of the occupied area will change, the social and cultural structure of the Turkish Cypriots will be damaged, the political life will be influenced, and called on everyone not to remain silent.

[07] The "Turkish Cypriot tourist guides union" asked for the opening for sightseeing of the fenced off town of Varosha

Issuing a written statement, KITREB chairman Hasan Karlitas pointed out that around the area there are hotels and more than 2.000 workplaces and places of entertainment. Karlitas, noting that the closed area of Varosha carries great importance for the solution of the Cyprus problem, said that its opening for touristic purposes will be a constructive step and a positive initiative for the future. "Such a step will affect Varosha, one of the most beautiful medieval cities of the world, positively," he added. He, inter alia, said that such a move would influence the city economically, politically and socially, even with the ghost city's current situation.

[08] Iftar tents appear in occupied Cyprus

"We aim to host 4.000 people for iftar daily with the support of Turkish charity groups, other relief organizations and businesses. We are working to serve more people," said Bulent Cirakli, treasurer of the Red Crescent in occupied Cyprus. The Turkish Red Crescent and the "TRNC" Red Crescent are jointly hosting iftar dinner services in various places of the occupied area.

The news report says that Turkish Cypriots are fasting in extremely hot weather and have shown great interest in the iftar dinner tents. People break the fast in iftar tents not only because they are in need or rushing to a last-minute iftar, but also because they enjoy dining as a community. Neriman Gunsel, chairperson of Lefkosia Red Crescent, said there is more interest in iftars this year as compared to the last one.

[09] Turkey confirms seizure of Iranian arms shipment to Syria

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said the incident took place two-and--half months ago in the south-eastern province of Kilis. The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (M0
T) was already aware of the transportation in a convoy of trucks.

Turkish officials said the original transport papers designated the shipment as "spare parts for guns" when Iranians declared them to custom officials upon entry. An examination of the contents revealed that it matched the declaration. Yet Turkish officials suspected the shipment may have violated the UN arms embargo imposed by the Security Council and decided to seize the contents.

As there was no explicit violation of Turkish law and the declaration matched the contents, the driver and trucks were either released or about to be released, the same official said. The contents however were stored in a safe depot.

On another incident in April, it emerged that Turkey had seized a cache of weapons Iran was attempting to export in violation of a UN arms embargo. Turkish authorities later informed a UN Security Council Committee of the interception.

[10] Counter-terrorism in the agenda of top Turkish officials

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan's office said in a statement that "the meeting discussed recent developments and counter-terrorism in the widest sense." The previous security meeting was held following the July 14 terrorist attack in Silvan that killed 13 soldiers.

[11] Davutoglu met with Ghana's Foreign Minister; Turkey to help Somalia

Davutoglu stated at a joint news conference with his Ghanaian counterpart Muhammad Mumuni, yesterday that Turkey has mobilized all its state institutions to urgently help impoverished people suffering from severe drought and famine, adding that the Religious Affairs Directorate has started a comprehensive campaign in this regard. Davutoglu said Turkey's state-run Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (T0
KA) has already started a campaign with $1 million and will continue raising more funds. According to the Foreign Minister, T0
KA's first aid plane will arrive in Mogadishu this week.

T0
KA said last week during a Somali aid conference organized by the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that it is planning to dispatch four humanitarian aid planes to Somalia. "We are doing our best to alleviate the suffering of our brothers in that region," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu is also planning to expand his scheduled Africa tour this month to discuss the war in Libya and the raging famine in the Horn of Africa. Davutoglu and Mumuni discussed bilateral relations, the latest developments in southern Africa, particularly the famine and the humanitarian tragedies in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, during their talks on Wednesday.

Davutoglu is planning to visit Ethiopia on Aug. 19 to have talks with Ethiopian officials and the African Union Commission Chairperson Jean Ping and then he will travel to South Africa.

[12] Turkish Central Bank cuts policy interest rate to prevent recession

In addition to policy rate, Central Bank also changed its overnight interest rates, as it increased overnight borrowing rate from the previous 1.5% to 5% and kept the lending rate unchanged at 9%, said a statement released after an interim meeting of the bank's Monetary Policy Committee on Thursday.

[13] Turkish analyst comments on reactions for the UK Parliament's Home Affairs Committee report

Meral argues that the newspaper captions have been misleading and writes inter alia:

"The titles and content of all of the press articles seem to suggest that the Home Affairs Committee's report was asking for an end to Turkish accession talks. Yet the truth is far from it. The report does acknowledge serious patterns of organized crime and human trafficking that both Turkey and Greece get tangled in, as both countries serve as the main entrance route to the 'old continent.'

What the press omitted, however, was the strong case the report makes for Turkish integration into the EU."

The columnist continues citing paragraphs from the report which outline that "the risks that Turkish accession poses for organised crime in the EU are considerably outweighed by the potential benefits," and concludes as following:

"The report also notes legitimate concerns over the expansion of EU borders to countries such as Syria and Iran, which have visa waiver agreements with Turkey. Yet the report's tone is optimistic, and sees a robust and willing Turkish state, which will meet these challenges with the EU's support.

In other terms, the newspaper captions have been misleading, telling us more about Europe itself than the findings of the report or the UK's steadfast support of Turkish membership." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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