Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-07-07

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The new British High Commissioner met with Talat.

[02] The President of Turkey honoured Rauf Denktas.

[03] The usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties increases the influx of colonizers from Turkey.

[04] Gul pleased because the faits accomplis of the barbaric Turkish invasion are not condemned by the Islamic Conference.

[05] More statements by Gul. Pleased because the faits accomplis of the brutal invasion and occupation of EU territory are being consolidated.

[06] The EP on Women´s Rights in Turkey and the contact group with the TRNC.

[07] The remains of 60 Greek Cypriot missing persons are preserved in the basement of the so-called ministry of foreign affairs of the occupation regime.

[08] Emine Erk stresses that demands of Turkish Cypriots regarding their properties in the government controlled areas of Cyprus are met.

[09] Russian President Putin invited Turkish Premier Erdogan in Soci on the Black Sea.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The new British High Commissioner met with Talat

`TRNC´ (occupied areas of Cyprus) `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat received on Wednesday Peter Joseph Millett, the newly-appointed British High Commissioner in the Greek Cypriot side.

No statement was released after the meeting, but Millett, speaking to journalist at his office, said that as the European Union (EU) current president, Britain would not lay down any proposal and launch any initiatives regarding the Cyprus problem.

Millett noted that such a step could only be taken by the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Underlining that one of the most important matters Britain would deal with during its presidency was to launch full membership negotiations with Turkey in October, Millett stressed that solution of the Cyprus problem was obligatory, and that the Annan plan should be used as a basis for possible talks.

Referring to the regulations on financial assistance and direct trade, prepared by the European Commission to lift embargoes imposed on `TRNC´, Millett said that Britain was discussing the financial assistance regulation with the European Commission at the moment.

Millett stated that they had no concrete proposals about the regulations, and said that they wanted to discuss this matter with the Commission and other EU member states before doing anything.

This is not a matter that could be left aside, said Millett and noted that progress should be made regarding the regulations.

Millett added that Britain was ready to extend every support to UN initiatives, aiming to resolve the Cyprus problem.

[02] The President of Turkey honoured Rauf Denktas

The (Turkish) state medal of honor was presented to the first President of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´) Rauf Denktas, in a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Ankara today. ''There are two separate peoples, democratic orders and two separate states in Cyprus, equal in every means,'' Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said while presenting the state medal of honor to Denktas.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sezer said the `TRNC´ was a democratic `state´ which has long before completed its pluralist, legal and political formation based on human rights and contemporary values.

''Efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem should take into consideration those facts,'' Sezer said, stating that, ''Turkey will continue to advocate the efforts to reach a fair and lasting solution in line with the efforts of the UN Secretary-General.''

Sezer said: ''Mr. Denktas is a distinguished statesman who devoted his whole life to the national cause of (Turkish) Cyprus,'' and noted that Turkish Cypriot people overcame all the difficulties under his leadership''.

''Time has come to remove unjust embargoes imposed for more than 40 years on Turkish Cypriot people. This is the main problem that should be solved in Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot people had to face obstacles which it did not deserve. Turkey will continue to provide support to assure economic and social development of its Turkish Cypriot brothers'' said President Sezer.

[03] The usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties increases the influx of colonizers from Turkey

The departure of many unregistered [illegal] construction workers from the island under the new emigration law has created a number of problems in the construction sector. `Labor and Social Security Minister´ Sonay Adem visited today the Union of Construction Sector Contractors [KTIM] to hear the grievances.

Noting that they have put the `law´ into effect with the intention of securing a humane existence and social security for the workers, Adem said that so far 27,000 workers have been registered [issued with work permits]. Sonay Adem pointed out that the total number of unregistered persons [illegal workers] in the country is around 60,000.

KTIM chief Cafer Gurcafer said that prices in the sector rose with the implementation of the law.

`Labour and Social Security Minister´ Sonay Adem visited the KTIM to discuss the problems that have arisen in the construction sector with the enforcement of the emigration law.

In a statement before the meeting, Adem thanked the KTIM officials for their support of the government in its effort to bring the illegal workforce under control. Adem said that more than 27,000 workers have been registered [issued official work permits] so far.

Noting that certain circles are trying to provoke the people against the government's practices, Adem said that this is incomprehensible, as the coalition government's main concern is to establish normal living conditions for the Turkish Cypriot people and ensure that people live under the laws.

Indicating that in addition to the unregistered workforce there is the problem of widespread shadow economy, Adem said that 400 businesses in Lefkosia have been issued formal registration as of 1 July.

Commenting on reports that under the new `emigration law´ anyone living on the island for five years could obtain citizenship, Adem said that such reports are not correct, for the law allows people living on the island for five years to only apply for citizenship. He added that if needed, changes could also be made to the law on citizenship.

Explaining that undesirable incidents have been taking place at ports with the enforcement of the law, Adem said that the `Emigration Department´ is working on this and the procedures at the ports will normalize within few days.

Indicating that the civil organizations have also a great role to play in registering the unregistered economic activity, Sonay Adem said they will not discriminate among NGO's in enforcing the law.

Adem also said that they will soon examine the labor law and introduce the necessary modifications.

Asked about the number of workers, Adem said that so far 27,000 have been registered. This number includes those who have applied to be registered.

He noted that the total number of non-citizens who are staying on the island under the unregistered lifestyle might have already reached frightening proportions. He put this number at around 55,000-60,000.

Noting that the issue should be handled in a sensitive manner, Adem said: Our main objective is to ensure that these people living under bad conditions, stay and work on the island in a manner suitable to human dignity and to provide them with social security. He added: It is our human duty to deliver the people from bad working conditions and ensure them a healthy and secure life.

Adem also said that they will work with relevant `ministries´ to solve the contractors' problems and submit the result of those consultations to the council of ministers.

[04] Gul pleased because the faits accomplis of the barbaric Turkish invasion are not condemned by the Islamic Conference

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul made statements to the illegal Turkish Cypriot Agency in Washington, Mr Gul said: "The resolution on the 'situation in Cyprus' which was unanimously adopted at the 32nd foreign ministers meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is a very important and extraordinary decision for Turkish Cypriots."

The decision of the OIC was taken unanimously. There are very important openings for the Turkish Cypriots." "Such a supportive decision for the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´) has never been adopted in an international organization so far."

It was also important that OIC Secretariat General wanted a report from all OIC member countries regarding what they have done so far and will have to do in the future to promote relations with `TRNC´."

This decision establishes a follow-up mechanism and wants a report from all OIC member countries regarding relations with TRNC. It makes a strong call to OIC members to lift isolations of Turkish Cypriots, boost bilateral trade with TRNC, pay highest-level visits to and pursue cultural activities with TRNC as well as cooperate in commercial and economic areas," noted Gul.

The resolution also underlines the negative approach of the Greek Cypriot side which does not take into consideration calls from the UN. OIC's reaction against negative attitude of Greek Cypriot side is shown in the resolution as well."

Mr Gul also said that the adoption of the resolution at the OIC summit in Sanaa was a great success and both himself and Serdar Denktas had intensive meetings with representatives of many OIC members and explained the Cyprus issue to them one by one.

Expressing pleasure over the decision of the Azerbaijani government to accept as valid the occupation regime´s passports, Gul said: "It was an important support coming from a friendly country".

Now we expect all friendly countries to do more about Cyprus cause. While we deploy efforts at the UN to make Cyprus an island of peace and solve the Cyprus problem, we will also continue to explain the cause of the Turkish Cypriots to the world opinion."

When asked if he expected Cyprus negotiations to start soon, Gul said: "The current position of the Greek Cypriot side does no't make it possible."

[05] More statements by Gul. Pleased because the faits accomplis of the brutal invasion and occupation of EU territory are being consolidated

He said: As you know, Turkey made certain promises to the EU on 16 December. One of the promises was to go on with the reform process and to enact certain laws related to that. We have enacted almost all of these laws. The second promise was to make the Customs Union protocol valid for the new members. For that, a protocol, a sort of multilateral agreement, will be signed with the EU. We said we were going to sign it. All kinds of technical steps have been taken. We reached mutual agreements. That protocol will be signed when the time comes.

When the talks begin on 3 October, Turkey's status will change. That is what is important. On 3 October, Turkey will gain the status of a country that has started accession talks with the EU. This will give Turkey a very new and special status. That is the most important thing. The important thing is to start the negotiations on 3 October by means of an intergovernmental conference. And then it is a detail if the process goes on for a long time or not, or if specific negotiations are held on certain issues.

On the Cyprus issue, Gul said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the regime set up in occupied Cyprus by the Turkish Republic´s occupation troops, is becoming stronger in the international arena.

In a situation of nonsolution, the `TRNC´ is becoming increasingly settled and increasingly stronger. Its relations with Turkey are becoming stronger. Even if there is no political recognition, its relations with the world are growing de facto, he said.

On domestic issues, the foreign minister stressed that it is not right to create the impression that the government is clashing with YOK [High Education Council] and the judicial system. He charged that the criticism coming from YOK and from the judicial system is unfair and does not reflect the truth. Gul asserted that the government will never clash with YOK or the judicial system. Our main aim, he said, is to raise the level of our universities. He suggested that rather than criticize the government, YOK should try to raise the standards at the universities. Reforms are needed at the universities, he said, and the issues of headdress or university entrance coefficient are not taboos.

On the recent debates involving the judiciary, Gul said that the laws criticized by the judicial institutions are not new and have been in force since the 1970's. He also recalled that all judicial institutions were consulted when the bill on judges and prosecutors was drawn up.

Abdullah Gul was asked to comment on reports that the National Security Council postponed the debate on the National Security Political Document. There is no difference of opinion between the army and the civilians in this regard, he stressed.

On the legislative activities of the Assembly, Gul stressed that the social security law is a priority for the government, not the IMF. He said that if necessary and depending on developments, the Assembly may convene in summer to pass that law.

On Turk Telekom's privatization, Gul said: That was a transparent privatization, a great success. He added that the highest bidder will get the deal. Otherwise, he warned, Turkey's credibility would be damaged and privatization efforts would be disrupted.

In addition, as Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (07.07.05) reports, Mr Gul will meet with his British counterpart Mr Jack Straw. The two men will meet next week in Srebrenica.

Moreover, according to Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (07/07/05), Mr Gul stated that he had no information about Talats offer to return Varoshia to the Greek Cypriot site for the lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. I saw it on the press, he said. However, Mr Gul said that even Mr Talat declared this issue to be false.

[06] The EP on Women´s Rights in Turkey and the contact group with the TRNC

The European Parliament (EP) general assembly on Wednesday called on Turkey to implement, without any delay, reforms on women's rights .

The EP voted and adopted a report on women's participation in social, economic and political activities in Turkey, prepared by Emine Bozkurt, a Social Democrat parliamentarian of Turkish origin.

The report also calls for active participation of women in politics.

In her report, Bozkurt calls on Turkish government to cooperate with women's associations and extend them financial assistance, provide all women with educational facilities, construct more sheltering places for women who suffer from domestic violence, and launch campaigns regarding women's rights.

The report welcomed legal reforms in Turkey envisaging life imprisonment for the perpetrators of honor killings and considering rape within marriage a crime.

On the other hand, the report asks the European Commission to give high priority to women's rights during entry talks with Turkey; encourage and back women's rights discussions in Turkey; carry out researches on violence against women; women's education and employment; and prepare a report on women's rights in Turkey every year.

On the other hand, it was reported that the EP is planning to set up a ''contact group'' which will act as a consultative body in relations with the `TRNC´ (occupied areas of Cyprus). The EP will assess the issue at a meeting on Thursday, and the final decision will be made on October.

On the same issue KIBRIS (07.07.05) reports that in statement from Strasbourg the so-called Members of Parliament Ozdil Nami, of the Republican Turkish Party, and Hasan Tascoy of the National Unity Party, stressed the importance of the participation of TRNC parliamentarians in the meetings of the contact group

Mr Ozdil Naim said: The direct contact of the `TRNC´ parliamentarians with MP is important. He also said that during their contacts they asked for the lifting of the isolations on the TRNC and noted that once more they brought on the agenda the view that the Greek Cypriot government cannot represent the whole of Cyprus.

[07] The remains of 60 Greek Cypriot missing persons are preserved in the basement of the so-called ministry of foreign affairs of the occupation regime

The paper writes that the excavations of the mass graves in the occupied areas are conducted in great secrecy and the Press is not allowed to picture them.

AFRIKA notes that relatives of Turkish Cypriot missing persons visited yesterday the free areas of Cyprus and submitted two separate petitions to the Presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The relatives of missing persons from Tohni, Zygi and Peristerona villages asked to be informed about the results of the tests of the blood samples they had given two years ago.

The chairman of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation, Mrs Emine Erk, who accompanied the 7-member delegation, said that the issue is humanitarian and has no political aspects.

[08] Emine Erk stresses that demands of Turkish Cypriots regarding their properties in the government controlled areas of Cyprus are met

Explaining how the government of the Republic settles such cases, Mrs Erk noted: If a family wants back its house, they allot another house to it or they pay the equivalent for the house. In this manner the Greek Cypriots get rid of cases that might cause them headaches, she added.

Explaining the aim and the field of the activities of the Foundation over which she presides, Mrs Erk pointed out that it was established in the end of February 2005 and that it aims at interfering in any kind of actions against the human rights of the Turkish Cypriots using the methods of lobbying, education and legal procedures.

Mrs Erk alleged that the impression that the Foundation was established for the property cases is wrong and described the fact that its establishment coincided with the lawsuits regarding the property issues as a misfortune.

She said that there are a lot of applications to the Foundation regarding the property issues and that among the applicants are persons who have been sued and persons who fear that they will be sued. The applications are not only personal, but among them there are whole villages as well, said Mrs Erk who noted that such villages is Vroishia and the villages of Tylliria.

Mrs Erk said that they are cooperating with a unit established at the so-called presidency for the issue and that at the moment they are studying the applications. She added that they aim at getting into action and appeal to courts after choosing those among the applications which have the highest chance for success.

Noting that the construction boom in occupied Greek Cypriot properties is making more complicated the issue of reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem, Mrs Erk said:

Making investments suddenly on Greek Cypriot properties will complicate things at the stage of the final solution. However, at the same time, among the fundamental rights of the Turkish Cypriots is developing the environment in which they live and have economic activities. This is at any case a need. The efforts to freeze and forbid this will have other damages. These things have been discussed, but the coin has two faces. This is a reality as well. A balance must be ensured. And this is not easy.

[09] Russian President Putin invited Turkish Premier Erdogan in Soci on the Black Sea

It is expected that during the meeting, issues of interest to both countries will be discussed, as well as international problems. They will also discuss the developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, Turkish daily RADIKAL newspaper (07.07.05) reports that the meeting will be held on 18 July, and this will be the fourth time the two leaders will meet in two years.

/SK

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article