Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-11-24

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas admits that the "draft law" on the properties is prepared upon the wish of Turkey in order to change the situation created after the Loizidou case, while Soyer assures that the title deeds distributed by the "TRNC" will be annulled

[02] Turkish official explains her country's policy on Cyprus

[03] Civil organizations in occupied Famagusta to send a letter to Tony Blair

[04] Turkey will appeal the decision of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the case of Petros Kakoullis

[05] Toros Military Exercises begin in occupied Cyprus

[06] Turkey to donate money for the opening of the Ledra street crossing point

[07] Rehn stated at the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission that the financial aid to be given by the EU to Turkish Cypriots would have to be cancelled - Gul views talks with EU, rejects Rehn's remark on freedom of expression

[08] Hans Jorg Kretschmer: "Ports shall be opened to the Greek Cypriots"

[09] The Turkish Cypriot Handball team flies today to Kosovo

[10] Mehmet Seyis the new chairman of the DEV-IS Trade Union

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas admits that the "draft law" on the properties is prepared upon the wish of Turkey in order to change the situation created after the Loizidou case, while Soyer assures that the title deeds distributed by the "TRNC" will be annulled

In statements yesterday Mr Soyer said that they prepared the "draft-law" as a result of contacts they had with local and foreign jurists and added that with the comments made regarding the annulment of the illegal title deeds some Turkish Cypriots are trying "to do the utmost to harm themselves for politics". "There is no such a thing. I want to state this clearly", he noted and asked everybody to stop making speculations which will harm the economy of the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Soyer noted that their effort is to make their proprietorship regime accepted by the international law and to overcome the problems which could endanger bi-zonality especially in the process began with the Greek Cypriot refugee Mrs Titina Loididou's case.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (24.11.05) reports that commenting on the issue, the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas said that the discussion of the "draft-law" in the self-styled assembly must be postponed until after the issue is discussed in details both in Turkey and the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.

Mr Denktas warned that in case the "draft-law" is approved "the state will remain without land". He argued that these issues must be postponed until after a political agreement on the Cyprus problem is reached.

Mr Denktas said: "It is understood that this draft-law, which Turkey wants and to which it attaches importance, is prepared for preventing the situation that is created after the acceptance of the decision on the Loizidou case and paying compensation....These issues must be postponed until a political agreement is reached...".

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (24.11.05) reports that the so-called Fighters Association and the TMT Association have strongly reacted against the "draft-law" describing it as "draft - law of disaster". The paper publishes the statements of the above-mentioned organizations under the title "They want to put the last nail onto the coffin of the Turkish Cypriot people".

Commenting on the issue, VOLKAN alleges that the self-styled CTP - DP government acts like a Greek Cypriot government. It accuses the "government" of annulling the illegal "TRNC title deeds" and considers "the Greek Cypriot title deeds to be valid".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily ORTAM newspaper (24.11.05) writes that the words and the actions of the self-styled government are not in harmony. "The CTP - DP government is, on the one hand, preserving the status quo and continues to distribute the Greek Cypriot properties and, on the other, is trying to find ways to get rid of the pressure of the international law, even for a while, by making some legal adjustments", notes ORTAM.

Turkish Cypriot daily OZGUR DUSUNCE newspaper (24.11.05) refers to the issue noting that the return of the occupied Greek Cypriot properties is a fair thing to do.

I/Ts.

[02] Turkish official explains her country's policy on Cyprus

Addressing yesterday a three-day seminar under the title "Program of Turkey and TRNC's Harmonization Efforts to the EU Laws", Mrs Guzel noted that the above approach is the basis of the trade and economic relations between Turkey and the self-styled TRNC and added that the aim of all the work made until today in Turkey regarding the Turkish occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, is to ensure that the economy of the "TRNC" is influenced the less from the trade and economic restrictions.

She argued that the international efforts of Turkey regarding Cyprus began to give fruits and reminded the visit of an Azeri delegation to the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus and the "very important decisions at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Islamic Conference Organization". She noted that Prime Minister Erdogan and his government demand support for the "TRNC" in all their visits abroad. Mrs Guzel alleged that Sweden's raising internationally the issue of keeping the promises given regarding the lifting the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots show that Turkey's efforts were right.

Meanwhile, addressing the same seminar Turkey's so-called ambassador in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Aydan Karahan said that the Turkish Cypriots have two targets at the moment: The first is reaching a political solution to the Cyprus problem and the other is after that to accede the EU in a united Cyprus.

I/Ts.

[03] Civil organizations in occupied Famagusta to send a letter to Tony Blair

At the end of the protest march, they will read a letter that will be handed to the Commander of the British Bases so he could convey it to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

(DPs)

[04] Turkey will appeal the decision of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the case of Petros Kakoullis

Ankara Anatolia news agency quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Turkey has a good chance of winning approval for an appeal. A five-member panel will decide whether or not to refer the case to the ECHR appellate body. In case of a favourable reply, the 17-judge appellate body would hold a preliminary hearing to sound out both sides and determine whether to take the case forward.

(DPs)

[05] Toros Military Exercises begin in occupied Cyprus

The maneuvers are performed in land, sea and air spaces of the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus. "Toros-2005" will be completed on November 25th. Civilians will be allowed to watch the maneuvers on the last day.

[06] Turkey to donate money for the opening of the Ledra street crossing point

The press Office of the illegal Turkish embassy in occupied Lefkosia said in a written statement the following: ''Turkey is pleased with the work undertaken by 'TRNC' officials to open Lokmaci border pass to crossings and has decided to donate 500,000 YTL to support those works. We believe that the opening of Lokmaci gate will contribute to the development of the Turkish Cypriots economy and the real sector.''

[07] Rehn stated at the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission that the financial aid to be given by the EU to Turkish Cypriots would have to be cancelled - Gul views talks with EU, rejects Rehn's remark on freedom of expression

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, replying to a question, stated that more than 100 million euro of the 250 million euro financial aid, which was supposed to be given by the EU to Turkish Cypriots but which has not been approved for a long time, would have to be cancelled.

Rehn said 300 million euro aid was foreseen to be given to Turkey this year and 600 million euro aid next year, stating that this figure may reach to 1 billion euro in 2007. Rehn defended that the EU fulfilled its obligations by opening accession negotiations with Turkey, emphasizing that it was time for Turkey to fulfill its obligations.

Listing ''primary expectations'' of the EU from Turkey, Rehn focused on approval and implementation of the Ankara Agreement Additional Protocol, opening of Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot ships, and normalization of relations with the Republic of Cyprus. Mentioning the importance of October 3rd when Turkey formally started accession negotiations, Rehn said they see that reforms and implementation slowed down in Turkey. Rehn said full respect was required to human rights, noting that some legal arrangements and additional efforts were necessary in this respect.

Speaking about the southeast region, Rehn said the incidents which occurred in the recent weeks attracted their attention, noting that there was delay and problems in education in Kurdish and that the village guard system continued.

Babacan said that the Annan plan for a solution in Cyprus was supported and accepted by the Turkish Cypriots but rejected by the Greek Cypriots, giving the message that Ankara would always support efforts within the body of the UN for lasting and fair solution.

Babacan explained the reforms fulfilled in Turkey in the past three years noting that initiatives to adjust with the Copenhagen criteria was not made because of an obligation but because they were necessary for the Turkish people.

Mentioning the Southeast issue, Babacan said that the EU and the United States accepted PKK as a terrorist organization, stating that "Turkey expected and called for more and serious support from the EU in the fight against terrorism". Babacan added that representatives of several TV channels, which broadcast from the European countries and which support terrorism, were seen in the corridors of the European Parliament.

A Greek Cypriot parliamentarian reacted to the statements of Babacan, whereas the other members of the European Parliament preferred to remain silent.

In addition, as Ankara Anatolia news Agency (23.11.05) also reports the Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has remarked that Turkey will implement European Union (EU) acquis. ''We will not transfer our standards to the EU,'' said Gul.

Gul spoke at the Levent Branch of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) in Istanbul, addressing Turkish representatives of the Turkey-EU Joint Consultation Committee, prior to the upcoming meeting in Brussels between November 28th-29th.

Gul noted that the Turkish-EU relations have three legs. ''The first leg has to do with the relations between governments. The second one is the relations between the parliaments. The third leg has to do with relations between non-governmental organizations. Such meetings support common understanding. Meetings of this kind are not merely important for Turkey. These meetings involve efforts regarding a leg of the EU,'' said Gul.

In reference to remarks made by the European Union (EU) Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on the topic of freedom of expression in Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has indicated on Wednesday that it would be unfair to state that there is no freedom of expression in Turkey. Reminded about Olli Rehn's recent comments on freedom of expression in Turkey, Gul remarked that he does not know precisely what Rehn said. ''Nonetheless, we held a meeting of the reform watch group yesterday. We discussed how the Turkish reform process is going on. There is freedom of expression in Turkey. Everyone in Turkey can express his/her thoughts and ideas without making violent acts,'' commented Gul.

[08] Hans Jorg Kretschmer: "Ports shall be opened to the Greek Cypriots"

Following is the reply by Mr Kretchmer to a question on Cyprus:

Question: The EU says: "You have to open your ports to ships registered in the Republic of Cyprus", in its turn Turkey says: "I will not do so until the EU keeps its promise given to the Turkish Cypriots". Don´t you think that this situation will create crisis at the first stage of the accession negotiations?

Answer: This is a situation emanating from the fact that Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus are in the same Customs Union. In this Customs Union, it is unacceptable, when one member country imposes limitations to another member country, in despatching goods to it.

From our point of view, this issue has no relation with the solution of the Cyprus problem and with the two regulations prepared for the north Cyprus in April 2004, which are on the table in Brussels.

For this reason Turkey´s stance in trying to establish a link between these two by saying: "You accept these regulations and then we will open the ports´ is not of much help. No!

Turkey, because of its Customs Union obligations, is obliged to open its ports to the Cyprus Republic registered ships for the sake of free and direct movement of the goods."

[09] The Turkish Cypriot Handball team flies today to Kosovo

According to the paper, the self-styled Ministry of Youth and Sports will support financially the team.

(DPs)

[10] Mehmet Seyis the new chairman of the DEV-IS Trade Union

As the paper writes the new chairman is Mehmet Seyis.

EG/

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