Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-01-26

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] Reactions on the so-called Action Plan for Cyprus announced by Gul

[02] Straw arrived in Turkey He stated that there will be progress in Cyprus

[03] Straw honoured by TUSIAD for his diplomatic skills in favour of Turkey

[04] Kofi Annan on Turkey´s Action Plan

[05] Talat met Straw

[06] Soyer confirms H5 virus found on poultry in occupied Makrasyka

[07] Six persons were arrested for trafficking human beings to Europe using fake identity document of the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC

[08] Water refinery projects continue in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[09] A football match was held in occupied Kyrenia between the under-21-year-old-team of the breakaway regime and Kyrgyzstan

[10] Turkish Cypriot buys TV channel in Turkey

[11] Joint Turkish-US projects in Central Asia and the Middle East

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Columnist in Turkish Cypriot paper argues that Turkey´s plan is not a plan of action but a plan of pain

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Reactions on the so-called Action Plan for Cyprus announced by Gul

The paper notes that addressing the members of the Joint Turkey EU Consultative Committee, Mr Erdogan stated: We are a step forward in Cyprus. We want to open the way of the TRNC. We are pursuing new openings in Cyprus. We have made some important steps. Following this closely would be useful. This is important. All together we shall cope with these issues.

Noting that he will go to Davos today in order to participate in the World Economic Forum, Mr Erdogan said that he will meet with the UN Secretary - General, Mr Kofi Annan, and pointed out that he will ask from Mr Annan his intensive involvement again in the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile, under the title There is no new element, Turkish Cypriot daily GUNES newspaper (26.01.06) publishes statements on the Action Plan made by Mr Deniz Baykal, leader of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP). Mr Baykal said: There is no new remarkable element, but the demand of discussing our expectation from the Greek Cypriot administration together with the steps expected now from Turkey in Cyprus, is actually a just demand.

Responding to a question on the issue after the meeting of the parliamentary group of his party yesterday, Mr Baykal noted that this plan includes the proposals which had already been made before by the Turkish side. He argued that the chances of achieving a result by saying we are ready to give these, but in return we want this or that are not increased.

He said that he sees this Action Plan as an effort to create the picture of being a loveable interlocutor who submits logical and balanced demands to the international public opinion.

Furthermore, according to Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (26.01.06) the chairman of the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH), Mr Mustafa Akinci, stated yesterday that the proposals made by Mr Gul aim at creating an image. Mr Akinci noted: These proposals which have the characteristic of a repetition, seem to serve no other aim than creating an image. He stressed that the basic aim of Turkey is to open the way for its EU accession course. Arguing that the interest in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus is concentrated in the parliamentary elections in May and that the term of the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, ends this year, Mr Akinci expressed the opinion that there is no hope for an overall solution to the Cyprus problem in the near future.

KIBRIS reports also that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, when reminded yesterday about the evaluations made regarding these proposals according to which the diplomatic traffic during the past few days (the visit of the British Secretary of State, Jack Straw to the area, the announcement of Turkeys Action Plan and the meeting of Mr Erdogan with the UN Secretary General in Davos) have more relation with Turkeys EU accession course than with the Cyprus problem, answered: This is true. All these developments are related with Turkeys EU accession course. There is nothing more natural than this. The deadlock in the Cyprus problem could be led to a new point only by an activity for the sake of Turkeys EU accession course.

I/Ts.

[02] Straw arrived in Turkey He stated that there will be progress in Cyprus

Speaking to reporters at Ataturk Airport, Straw said that Turkey and Britain had close relations in social, political and business fields.

Straw said he believed that Turkey's negotiation process would continue without any problem, adding that he would continue to do his utmost to support that process. Straw said he would meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in Turkey and also discuss the Cyprus issue with them.

Noting that the Annan Plan still kept its importance for the island's democracy, Straw said that the importance of the international community to reach a settlement in Cyprus increased significantly. When asked if one could be optimistic for a settlement on the island, Straw said that Cyprus had always been a difficult problem, but he believed there would be progress and a settlement would come true in the future.

(C/S)

[03] Straw honored by TUSIAD for his diplomatic skills in favor of Turkey

Mr Straw received his prize last night during a special gathering in Istanbul. Mr Straw is the third foreigner who received this prize.

The TUSIAD has decided to give this prize to Mr Straw for his extraordinary diplomatic skills demonstrated at the EU summit in Luxembourg on 3 October 2005 for overcoming the obstacles regarding starting of Turkey´s EU accession process.

HURRIYET reports that this prize is given to persons or Institutions that work for overcoming difficulties created before Turkey, in its EU path, or for those who contribute for the cooperation, mutual understanding and development of common values between Turkey on the EU.

(MHY)

[04] Kofi Annan on Turkey´s Action Plan

The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that he was aware of the Cyprus Action Plan announced yesterday by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.

When asked by reporters for his "views on the Cyprus Action Plan announced by Turkey," he replied: "I am aware of it. But it will not be correct for me to say anything on this issue before meeting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan." Prime Minister Erdogan is expected to meet Annan within the framework of the Davos summit to open tomorrow.

[05] Talat met Straw

Straw will hold a press conference at the Ledra Palace Hotel while Talat will hold a news conference in his office after this meeting.

Meanwhile, a group of ten people from Cyprus Socialist Party protested Straw in front of the TRNC Presidential Office. Police did not intervene in the group who chanted slogans against Britain and military bases. Straw earlier met Georghios Iacovou, Greek Cypriot administration's foreign minister. A group of Greek Cypriots protested Straw during this meeting.

[06] Soyer confirms H5 virus found on poultry in occupied Makrasyka

Explaining that the H5 virus had been discovered in the preliminary tests carried out in the occupied areas, Mr Soyer said that results to be received from Turkey and Britain will be made public as soon as they are received.

He called on the Greek Cypriot side to share the scientific findings of the inspections conducted for future reference in case of an outbreak of bird flu.

[07] Six persons were arrested for trafficking human beings to Europe using fake identity document of the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC

C/S

[08] Water refinery projects continue in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

The paper notes also that the council decided to suggest to the assembly that the so-called parliamentary by-elections for the seat of Mr Mehmet Ali Talat and the late Salih Miorglu as well as and the municipal elections to be held on 25 June 2006.

I/Ts.

[09] A football match was held in occupied Kyrenia between the under-21-year-old-team of the breakaway regime and Kyrgyzstan

As the paper writes, the following persons watched the football match: The self-styled prime minister Ferdi Soyer, the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Serdar Denktas, the self-styled minister of youth and sports Özkan Yorganc1olu, the self-styled minister of culture Canan Öztoprak and the Kyrgyz Minister of Sports Bektur Asanov. A football mach between the men s national team in occupied Cyprus and the men s national team of Kyrgyzstan is going to take place tomorrow in occupied Lefkosia.

A delegation from Kyrgyzstan, headed by the Kyrgyz Minister of Sports Asanov has been visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus since last Sunday.

C/S

[10] Turkish Cypriot buys TV channel in Turkey

Star Newspaper, owned by Star Media Group, which earlier belonged to the Uzan Family, was sold for 5.15 million USD to a businessman from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Wednesday.

The auction was conducted by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) in Istanbul. Turkish Cypriot businessman Ali Ozmen Safa offered the highest bid. The other bid was submitted by Ipek Publication & Science Artistic Training Services Industry & Trade Corp.

[11] Joint Turkish-US projects in Central Asia and the Middle East

Assistant United States Trade Representative for Europe and the Mediterranean Shaun Donnelly has indicated that the U.S. wishes to "fold up" total trade volume with Turkey, which is currently 10 billion USD.

On the other hand Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen has indicated that the Turkish Foreign Trade Department has declared 2006 as the year of "North-South America." Shaun Donnelly, who is heading the U.S. delegation in a meeting of Turkey-U.S. Trade & Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council, has answered A.A correspondent's questions.

Donnelly stressed that, with the TIFA meeting, commercial obstacles have been removed and an important step made to promote investments in both countries. He stated that Turkey is a strategic country.

"We plan to develop joint projects and make investments with Turkey in the Caucasus, Central Asia and Middle East", said Donnelly.

Donnelly pointed out that General Electrics (GE) has purchased shares of Turkish Garanti Bank. "GE's investment is the first step of many others to come. Other major U.S. corporations will invest in Turkey soon," Donnelly.

Meanwhile, Tuzmen noted that there is no joint economic commission between Turkey and the U.S.. "There is TIFA. The present meeting comes after three years and is important from the perspective of developing commercial ties," commented Tuzmen.

According to Tuzmen, the topic of Qualified Industrial Zones also came up in the meetings. "We wish to include the textile and ready made garment industry in such zones," expressed Tuzmen.

Tuzmen added that Turkey purchases most of its cotton from the United States. "If we can agree with the U.S. authorities, we can sell more ready made garments to this country and increase our trade volume significantly."

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Columnist in Turkish Cypriot paper argues that Turkey´s plan is not a plan of action but a plan of pain

The following question was posed to Nasreddin Hoca: `What do they do with the old moon?´ Hoca is a wise man, he cannot be fooled. He gave the answer immediately: `What will they do? They will chop it up and make stars.

This anecdote came into my mind when I read the `new´ Turkish proposals which were announced pompously by Abdullah Gul following a two-day magnificent advertisement campaign.

By creating stars out of the old moon Turkey is now trying to hoodwink the world. Thinking that only itself is clever, it considers all the rest as stupid!

What does the `new´ Turkish `opening´ say? `Lift the isolations, and we open the ports´ (!!!)

For a year now this has been the permanent song of both Erdogan and Gul as well as their aid-de-camp here. It is an old song out of fashion, out of the list of popular songs, nobody cares about it and it excites nobody.

They try to deceive the nation that this old song is a new one. What else can this be than thinking that they know a lot?

However, in this new opening is there anything new? There is! The Karavostassi port !!!What is this? Are you surprised? Perhaps it is the first time you are listening that Karavostassi is a port. You heard a lot about Kyrenia and Famagusta ports, but where did this Karavostassi come from now?

Look at what article 3 of Turkey´s `new´ action plan says: `Opening of the ports in North Cyprus, including Famagusta, Kyrenia, and Karavostassi, to international traffic of goods, persons and services under Turkish Cypriot management´.

What a coincidence isn´t it? I can call to this a miracle. At time the news that an American Naval Base under a dockyard was going to be established at the place known Karavostassi gained importance and at a time that a contract was signed with the American firm that will construct the dockyard, Mr Abdullah Gul mentions the opening of a Karavostassi Port and he demands the opening of the Karavostassi Port along with Famagusta and Kyrenia Ports.

Such a coincidence with a bull-eye hit is hardly seen in the world.

Abdullah Gul, either knowingly or not, either willingly or not, has confirmed the news that an American naval base will be established at the Karavostassi. So in the ports section of the Action Plan they are trying to make this to be digested.

The new action plan which is an old one is aimed at giving legitimacy to the illegal pirate structure in the north.

For this, Turkey has given up even the ´TRNC´. It has closed the ´TRNC´ book which the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) had declared to exalt. For Turkey there is no more TRNC.

What is there.

The Turkish Cypriot administration that is `Turkish Cypriot Muslim Community. So this plan is not an action plan but a pain plan.

What´s the difference? Didn´t our actions end with pain? We are used to it.

KV/MHY

/SK

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