Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-12-08

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] Eroglu confirms pressures from Turkey for the property draft-law; Soyer argues that the postponement of the Loizidou case at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe is related to this draft-law

[02] Akinci meets President Papadopoulos and expresses his support to the opening of Ledra Street crossing point even with the pedestrian overpass 3. Hurrem Tulga: Remove the stairs immediately!

[04] Milliyet: Turkey said no

[05] Mr Talat will visit Turkey today

[06] The self-styled minister of agriculture and forests held various meetings in the framework of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and asked for the lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots

[07] Washington has reiterated its support for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan Plan

[08] Turkey favors Malta's participation in NATO partnership Ankara did not veto Cyprus participation in a NATO-EU unofficial dinner

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Column in Afrika challenges Mr Akincis statement that a crossing point should be opened at Ledra Street in spite of the bridge

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu confirms pressures from Turkey for the property draft-law; Soyer argues that the postponement of the Loizidou case at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe is related to this draft-law

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Eroglu said that during the meeting they were informed about the views of the motherland regarding the new draft-law on the occupied Greek Cypriot properties and they conveyed to the Turkish delegation the views of their party.

Mr Eroglu noted also that the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr Abdullah Gul, called him and conveyed to him his views and thoughts on the issue. He said that they evaluated the issue and the contacts they had at a meeting of the committee of the party.

Mr Eroglu reiterated also that the above-mentioned draft-law is contrary to the constitution of the self-styled TRNC and that it is very dangerous for the land, the state and the security of the Turkish Cypriots.

He expressed the opinion that the issue concerns everybody in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus and suggested that four five different committees should be established to discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of the law. Representatives of real estate agents, contractors, industrialists, merchants, tradesmen, farmers, martyrs and families of the war victims should participate in these committees, he added, and accused the self-styled government of wanting to bring them before a fait accompli.

Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (08.12.05) publishes Mr Eroglus statements under the title Gul called Eroglu for the property law and writes that Ankara is exerting a great effort to convince the opposition in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus to approve the above-mentioned property law.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (08.12.05) reports that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe postponed putting into practice the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision on the Greek Cypriot refugee Titina Loizidou case for two months.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled Prime Minister and leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that the postponement is related to the efforts on the new draft-law in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to the paper, Mr Soyer made this statement on GENC TVs Time to Talk program.

Furthermore, KIBRISLI writes that in statements on the same television program, Mr Serdar Denktas, self-styled Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Democratic Party (DP), commented on the same development and said that for the first time the Turkish Cypriot side has gotten hold of the chance to stop the Greek Cypriot law attacks using as a means the international law.

Mr Denktas noted that they will work for the development and the acceptance of the new draft-law regarding the occupied Greek Cypriot properties and added: In case the effort for creating local / legal remedies do not give results, great problem will be caused both for Turkey and for us.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (08.12.05) reports that the self-styled attorney general, Mr Akin Sait has sent his opinion to the CTP-DP government noting that the above-mentioned draft-law is contrary to the so-called constitution of the self-styled TRNC. The public has not been informed about this opinion, notes VOLKAN and publishes the full-text of Mr Saits letter.

The paper writes also that Mr Serdar Denktas said that at todays session of the assembly his party will support the urgent discussion of the draft-law at the relevant committee. He noted, though, that this does not mean that the DP will approve the draft-law, as the final decision on the issue will be taken at the organs of the party.

Furthermore, VOLKAN publishes statements by five MPs of the DP who said that they are against the draft-law. These MPs are Mustafa Arabacioglu, Ertugrul Hasipoglu, Mehmet Tancer, Hatice Faydali and Mustafa Gokmen.

[02] Akinci meets President Papadopoulos and expresses his support to the opening of Ledra Street crossing point even with the pedestrian overpass

In statements after the meeting Mr Akinci said that both the physical walls and those existing in the minds should be demolished and added that the walls in the minds harm the future of the country.

Mr Akinci said that the meeting was held with the aim of exchanging views on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem and should not be seen as a mediation attempt between the two sides.

Commenting on the opening of the Ledra Street crossing point, Mr Akinci noted that between the alternatives of opening the barricade with the pedestrian overpass and of not opening it at all he preferred the opening of the crossing point with the overpass. He described the situation at the area of Ledra as very difficult and noted that it seems that the Turkish side found only an alternative on the issue, which it is not the best one.

Mr Akinci expressed the preference of his party for a demilitarized city.

[03] Hurrem Tulga: Remove the stairs immediately!

Mr Tulga said that the Turkish Cypriot side, which, as he claimed is the side that opens doors, between the two sides in the island, must continue its policy towards the peace and solution as regards the Ledra Street barricade as well. He also called on the Turkish Cypriot side to re-examine the works for the building of the stairs in the area and also called for the opening of the barricade.

[04] Milliyet: Turkey said no

The paper reports that Turkey had informed Brussels that it will not accept the declaration prepared by the Commission that shelves the direct trade regulation in order to pass the financial regulation.

MILLIYET adds that, Mr Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner in change of enlargement, tried to convince Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullaf Gul but of no avail.

The paper goes on and reports that the content of the declaration which is going to be published by the EU Commission in case the financial aid is approved, is not welcomed by Ankara.

The paper reports that Ankaras first reaction came from Ambassador Oguz Demiralp, Turkeys Permanent Representative in the EU. Ambassador Demiralp had informed the Commission in no uncertain terms that the Commissions approach and the declaration it will publishe will not be acceptable.

Following this development, reports MILLIYET, Mr Rehn had a long telephone conversation with Mr Gul who was in Melclea for the Islamic Comference Organization Summit, during which he tried to convince Mr Gul about the declaration. Mr Gul told Rehn that recent attempts from the point of the occupation regime is not just, that it reflects the Greek Cypriot thesis and that it is incompatible with the promises given to the Turkish Cypriots after the referendum.

MILLIYET concludes by saying that following the strong reaction by Turkey, the inclination to suspend the declaration gained ground in the Commission.

[05] Mr Talat will visit Turkey today

The 'TRNC' (self styled) Presidency stated today that Talat will hold a conference on ''Cyprus Problem: Solution and Proposals'' at Sabanci University in Istanbul.

He will meet Turkish Cypriots who are living in Istanbul and hold meetings with members of Association of Turkish Independent Industrialists and Businessmen (MUSIAD) and Association of Tourism Investors of Turkey (TTYD). He will exchange views on new process and new investment opportunities in Cyprus with officials of MUSIAD and TTYD.

Talat will later proceed to southern city of Adana and hold a conference on ''Country of Opportunities Cyprus''.

Talat will return to the 'TRNC' on December 10th.

[06] The self-styled minister of agriculture and forests held various meetings in the framework of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and asked for the lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots

Mr Oztoprak met with the speaker of the Turkish Assembly Mr Bulent Arinc and the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Abdullah Gul. He also had the chance to meet with members of the delegations of Saudi Arabia and Africa.

During these meetings Mr Oztoprak informed the members of the delegations about the latest developments as regards the Cyprus problem and asked for their support on the lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

The works of the Conference are ending today.

[07] Washington has reiterated its support for a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan Plan

The United States has reiterated its support for a solution to the Cyprus Problem on the basis of the Annan Plan.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, the US State Department Spokesman Adam Ereli called on both sides on the island to restart the negotiations process aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, stating that the UN plan was not an opportunity to be missed.

The US Spokesperson also added that the United States was continuing to work with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to establish ground for launching a new initiative aimed at resuming the negotiations process.

[08] Turkey favors Malta's participation in NATO partnership Ankara did not veto Cyprus participation in an NATO-EU unofficial dinner

Replying to a question on news reports which claimed that either Turkey was against Malta's participation in PfP program or it excluded this country from NATO-EU strategic cooperation, Tan noted that this cooperation covered allied countries and also EU countries which were included in PfP program and had security agreement with NATO.

Tan stated that Malta had withdrawn from PfP program upon its own decision in 1996, indicating that this country had not made an application for participation in this program since then.

In addition, as Turkish MILLIYET newspaper (08.12.05) reports, Ankara, for the first time, did not veto the participation of the Greek Cypriot Section, as it called the Republic of Cyprus, in the unofficial dinner of the Foreign Ministers of the NATO-EU member countries, which was held last night. The paper also writes that the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gull will not participate in the dinner that will be held today at the NATO Autumn meeting because he is in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to participate in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Column in Afrika challenges Mr Akincis statement that a crossing point should be opened at Ledra Street in spite of the bridge

It is not possible to agree with Mr Mustafa Akincis statement who said Let us first secure the crossing point and then with deal the bridge.

Of course this statement was made in good faith, but is not helpful to the solution and peace in Cyprus. It is damaging.

If we approve of every order given on the part of the army and give in to it, then we shall be in a position to say nothing to worse implementations to be made after this..

Once the rope is passed through our neck we can no longer be saved

Has Akinci forgotten the things we suffered in our effort to stop the military regime here? Was it not the Security Forces Commander who made fun of him saying 'mixing various items during the dinner later makes fart'?

How does Mr Akinci now give in to a generals order when he abandoned the post of Deputy Prime Minister saying the General drew the line?

Would it not be more correct to ask why we created this bridge than why the Greek Cypriots did not demolish the wall?

If Mr Akinci does not know with whose order this bridge was built who would know?

Who does not know how this country is governed especially if he served as minister in the past?

Talat and Soyer, who now are the actors, can repeat what Denktas and Eroglu did, give themselves political leadership status, say lies that they built the bridge not after an order from the army, but by their own imitative.

Is it necessary that Akinci should give in to this?

Is the opening of the Ledra Street gate really the essence of the issue? Is it not more suitable demand to ask for the demilitarization within the walls, reciprocal withdrawal of military positions and to give the chance to Lefkosia to get easy breathing space?

The Ermu Street, which divides Lefkosia into two, is full of sentry posts from Pafos gate to Famagusta Gate..

What is the use of opening of Ledra Street with an necessary bridge without removing these sentry posts?

Had in 2003 the reciprocal passages not opened and crossing did not start may be we would agree for this crossing 'over a bridge'.

However, today Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots cross through Ledra Palace and Ayios Dometios.

It is possible to meet, talk and exchange views..

In this case why should we accept the crossing with obstacles at Ledra?

On top of it, the opening of the crossings on the island did nothing but consolidate the partition.

The Turkish side is using this not to unite Cyprus but to strengthen the separate state image.

Do we have a serious reason to give in to the fait accomplish of the army at Ledra Street? Instead of obeying to this fait accomplish would it not be more acceptable to go to Ledra Street through Ledra Palace?

We did not raise our voice against this humiliating passage with passports and identity cards

Should we now bear the bridge redicule as well?

/ES

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