Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The occupation regime is being criticized for not taking concrete measures on the issue of the illegal immigrants.

[02] German MPs will reportedly visit the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

[03] Turkish Foreign Minister Namik Tan comments the Cyprus President latest statements´. Larijani´s visit to Turkey and Erodgan-Ahmadinezhad meeting.

[04] Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting.

[05] Bahrain´s Foreign Minister discussed the Cyprus problem in meetings with Turkey´s Prime Minister and Turkey´s Foreign Minister.

[06] Training course in the occupied areas by the Turkish Basketball Federation.

[07] Turkish Cypriot Women´s Organizations demanded the closure of night clubs trading female flesh.

[08] Umit Inatci candidate to become mayor of occupied Famagusta.

[09] Ayios Fylonas church in the occupied Karpasia in the mercy of abandonment.

[10] Turkey is not reopening the Greek seminary.

[11] New distribution of seats in the Turkish Parliament after Anavatan´s parliamentary member resigns.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Warning to Europeans by cheated buyer of twice sold Greek Cypriot property. Letter by British couple.

[A] NEWS ITEMs

[01] The occupation regime is being criticized for not taking concrete measures on the issue of the illegal immigrants

The paper reports that the persons who illegally enter the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus are kept under custody for one month and ten days and afterwards they are sent back to their country.

The Humanitarian Aid Mission asked the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs of the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) to establish whether or not the persons illegally entering the occupied areas are refugees or immigrants according to the international agreements and to allow for three months time so that the necessary interviews are conducted.

The self-styled ministry of foreign affairs said that for a year now they are working together with the ministry of internal affairs in order to make the necessary legal arrangements for the acceptance of the international agreements regarding the refugee rights in the occupied areas of Cyprus and that soon they will prepare a draft-law which will be in harmony with the EU laws.

(I/Ts.)

[02] German MPs will reportedly visit the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

The German Parliamentary Delegation headed by Mr Gerd Andres, Parliamentary Counselor of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Insurances, met yesterday with Mr Karayalcin at his partys headquarters.

Mr Karayalcin said that they supported the Annan Plan because they believed that it was the best solution then, but now it cannot be revived.

Mr Andres noted that they attach special importance to the TRNC because it is an important element for (Turkeys) EU accession course.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish Foreign Minister Namik Tan comments the Cyprus President latest statements´. Larijani´s visit to Turkey and Erodgan-Ahmadinezhad meeting

The statements proved the fact that Mr Papadopoulos is far from perceiving the realities on the Cyprus issue and from wanting to join the efforts for a solution, he added.

Mr Tans words came in response to a question about the remarks made by Mr Tassos Papadopoulos on the possibility of the diplomatic recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by the United States and third countries.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman said that with these remarks, Mr Papadopoulos has only made his position, clearer.

Such statements proved the fact that the Greek Cypriot leader is too far away from grasping the realities about Cyprus, and from taking part in the efforts aimed at achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem, he said.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency reports that Mr Tan stated:

''We will take all necessary measures to assure the security of Turkey,'' regarding troops deployment in Turkey's eastern and southeastern borders.

In his weekly press briefing Mr Tan said: ''Iraq is unable to take effective measures against PKK terrorists. Thus, Turkey will assume more responsibilities. One should be aware of the fact that Turkey has no intention to benefit from the security vacuum (in Iraq).''

When asked whether there is exchange of intelligence regarding Iran's operations against PKK on Iraqi border, Mr Tan said: ''We have a border security cooperation mechanism in place with Iran. Within that scope, we cooperate to prevent organized crimes, illicit drug trafficking and infiltration of terrorists.''

About the message which will be conveyed to Ali Larijani, Iran National Supreme Security Council Secretary General, (during his scheduled visit to Turkey), Mr Tan said: ''We will recall him that Iran has some responsibilities, and Tehran must be clear and transparent (vis-a-vis IAEA and international community).''

Mr Tan said: ''Larijani will arrive in Ankara on May 8th, and will meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and National Security Council (MGK) Secretary General Yigit Alpogan.''

In addition, Ankara Anatolia (03.05.06) reported that when asked during the weekly press briefing whether Israel and the United States suggested Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan not to meet President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad of Iran in Azerbaijani capital of Baku during the Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Mr Tan said: ''Neither the prime minister nor the other authorities plan their visits to foreign countries in line with suggestions of the other countries.''

''Nevertheless, Turkey exchanges views with its ally the United States on many issues,'' he said.

When asked whether Turkey sent a message to Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani through U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Mr Tan told reporters, ''we have the opportunity of holding direct talks with our interlocutors.''

Upon another question, Mr Tan said that the vision document to be signed between Turkey and the United States for the future of the strategic partnership, would be completed within 1-2 weeks.

[04] Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting

''One of the parties to the Cyprus problem is EU member and this causes an imbalance. Thus, it is more difficult to find a fair solution to the problem,'' said Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

Speaking at the 56th meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) at the Turkish Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Gul said: ''EU's starting actual negotiations will speed up Turkey's reform activities.''

Touching on the content of the 9th Adjustment Package which was announced on April 12th, Mr Gul said: ''We are aware that there are several deficiencies in implementation. Adjustment to new rules and regulations may take time (in Turkey) as it happened in other countries. Also the Reform Follow-up Committee closely examines the implementation process.''

Noting that the government's aim is to provide freedom of expression to Turkish citizens, Mr Gul said: ''The most evident sign of reform process in Turkey is extending free debate milieu. Recently freedom of expression and its limits was on the agenda of Europe due to cartoons which were published in Denmark. Cartoon crisis showed the sensitive balance between freedom of expression and religious/cultural values. Respect towards religious and cultural values and freedom of expression do not contradict each other. These two concepts should complete each other. Turkey's EU membership is very important to show that different cultures can live together in peace and that Islam and modernism are compatible.''

Regarding the Cyprus problem, Mr Gul said: ''One of the parties to the Cyprus problem is an EU member and this causes imbalance. Thus, it is more difficult to find a fair solution to the problem. However, Turkey still continues to contribute to solution efforts of UN Secretary-General. Insolubility harms Turkey-EU relations.''

''Turkey's vision is to establish a cooperation pillar including Turkey, Greece and Cyprus in the EU within the scope of a united Cyprus,'' noted Mr Gul.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.05.06) reported that a political will and courage is necessary to prevent the Cyprus question from turning into a 'mini crisis' in the second half of the year, said Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) Co-President Joost Lagendijk.

Speaking at the 56th meeting of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) at the Turkish Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Lagendijk informed participants about the issues which were discussed in the JPC meeting in November 2005 in Brussels and said that they took up the Cyprus problem, freedom of expression and the Kurdish problem.

Noting that Turkey has a legal responsibility to fully implement the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement in order to solve the Cyprus problem, Mr Lagendijk reminded that also the EU gave promises to lift isolations over Turkish Cypriots regarding this issue.

He said that the promises which were given in political, legal and ethical aspects should be kept to solve the issue.

Mr Lagendijk said that the EU closely follows debates on Anti-terrorism draft law (in Turkey).

Touching on incidents in Semdinli and its results, Mr Lagendijk said that this issue has a symbolic importance for them, adding that they will monitor developments.

He said that it was a wrong message to dismiss Van Public Prosecutor from his duties, adding that it can be understood as 'you cannot touch this issue'.

Noting that the most important issue which the government should solve in Turkey is the Kurdish problem, Mr Lagendijk said that large political groups in EP condemn PKK terrorism, adding that criticisms in this issue have a stronger tone now.

Mr Lagendijk said that he and his colleagues called on Kurds to leave their old methods.

Noting that the economic development should be provided and also the cultural rights should be protected in the long term in Southeastern and Eastern Anatolian regions, Mr Lagendijk said that extending the period of Kurdish broadcasts or giving Kurds the right to be represented at parliament can be positive messages.

Illegal Bayrak television (03.05.06) broadcast that the Chairman of the Turkish Parliamentary Commission for EU Alignment Yasar Yak1s has said that there s no way the European Union will manage to force Turkey to clean the damage done by the mistakes the Union itself has committed on the Cyprus problem.

Speaking at a gathering in Canakkale, Mr Yakis reminded that the EU has always attempted to force Turkey to recognize the Greek Cypriot Administration as Cyprus, and said that the EU made a mistake by admitting the Greek Cypriot Administration into the bloc as Cyprus before a solution was found to the Cyprus problem.

Reminding that Turkey had promised to recognize a reunited Cyprus within the framework of the Annan plan, Mr Yak1s acknowledged that the opening of the Turkish ports to the Greek Cypriot registered vessels and aircraft has now become a responsibility as a result of earlier agreements.

Mr Yakis said however, that this would only take effect after the international economic isolation of North (occupied) Cyprus is eased.

[05] Bahrain´s Foreign Minister discussed the Cyprus problem in meetings with Turkey´s Prime Minister and Turkey´s Foreign Minister

We are against weapons of mass destruction in our region, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was quoted as saying during a joint press conference with his Bahraini counterpart, Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who is in Turkey to prepare for the visit next week of Bahrain's ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

We agree on the need for the region to be free of nuclear weapons, Al Khalifa said.

Gul said acquiring nuclear energy and developing it through peaceful means was every country's right but emphasized that as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has 100 percent responsibility to show transparency on the nuclear issue.

Turkey shares a border with Iran, while Bahrain is located just across the Gulf from Iran.

The U.N. nuclear agency issued a report on Friday confirming that Tehran refused to comply with a U.N. Security Council demand that it halt enrichment.

The United States, Britain and France are planning to introduce a new Security Council resolution this week that would make Iran's compliance with their demands mandatory and that could include sanctions or military action if Tehran does not comply.

Iran insists that its program is peaceful and aimed only at producing power. The tension over Iran's disputed nuclear program was most recently discussed in Ankara during a meeting last week between Gul and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Gul reiterated, during the talks, Turkey's objection to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Subtitle: Support for Turkey's Cyprus plan

The visiting foreign minister of Bahrain extended support yesterday to Turkey's action plan that foresees the resumption of the reunification process on the divided island.

Turkey introduced a set of proposals in January for a comprehensive deal to the deep-seated Cyprus problem, which was supported by the European Commission and the United States.

Bahrain which supported U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan before, now supports Turkey's action plan, Al Khalifa said.

We want the lifting of sanctions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, he added.

The visiting minister later met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Moreover, Turkish daily HURRIYET newspaper (04.05.06) reports that Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Halid Bin Ahmed Bin Muhammed El Halife who is currently in Turkey, had a meeting the other day with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the course of the meeting El Halife said that soon Bahrain will open an embassy in Ankara. El Halife further said that they are looking for investment opportunities in Turkey and in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus and to this end it is possible that they could open an office in the occupied area. The paper reports that this was an important information that El Halife conveyed to Mr. Erdogan which made him very pleased.

[06] Training course in the occupied areas by the Turkish Basketball Federation

The training course is organised by the Basketball Federation of the Turkish Republic in cooperation with the self-styled basketball federation in occupied Cyprus, in order for the basketball trainers in the TRNC to become equivalent to the Turkish basketball trainers, according to the paper.

Among the persons who will teach at the training course are, Bogdan Tanjevic and Dogan Hakyemez, who are the trainers of the Turkish National basketball team and various experts from Turkey and the TRNC.

(C/S)

[07] Turkish Cypriot Women´s Organizations demanded the closure of night clubs trading female flesh

The demonstration was organized by the Union of Turkish Cypriot Women´s Charity and Kyrenia Inner Wheel Club.

The women were holding placards with slogans No to the trading of women in night clubs, and Prostitution turns women into objects.

(KV)

[08] Umit Inatci candidate to become mayor of occupied Famagusta

During a press conference yesterday the Peace and Democracy Movement has announced its support for Umit Inatci.

[09] Ayios Fylonas church in the occupied Karpasia in the mercy of abandonment

The paper refers to the great importance and history of the church stressing that Ayios Fylonas church is a heritage for the entire humanity. The paper describes he the rust and the holes at the ruins, by presenting colored photos as a proof of evidence.

Ayios Fylonas church is built based on the Basilica`s architecture structure and dates back to the 4-5 century A.D .

(M/L)

[10] Turkey is not reopening the Greek seminary

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was quoted on Tuesday as saying a hotly debated Greek Orthodox seminary near Istanbul would not reopen because the leader of the Greek Orthodox community had rejected Ankara's conditions.

The Halki Seminary on Heybeliada Island was closed in 1971 under a law requiring state supervision of university-level religious education. The reopening of the seminary is viewed by the European Union, which Turkey aims to join, as a litmus test of Turkey's commitment to the freedom of its religious minorities.

Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartolomeos says the failure to reopen the seminary threatens the survival of Turkey's dwindling Orthodox Christian population.

Allowing the seminary to provide religious education conflicts with the Turkish Constitution and the principle of secularism, mass-circulation HURRIYET daily quoted Gul as saying in response to criticism from Athens.

HURRIYET said: Gul had told Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni last week that Turkey had offered the patriarch a compromise solution whereby the seminary would reopen as a faculty of Istanbul University, but Bartolomeos had refused.

Gul also rejected Greek criticism that religious minorities in Turkey faced obstacles, saying all were free to practise their religious beliefs in Turkey.

In an interview with Reuters earlier this year, Gul had said that Ankara was in talks with the patriarch and was seeking a solution.

Turkey, whose population is overwhelmingly Muslim but which has a secular political system, fears any easing of the curbs on religious education could be exploited by Islamist groups.

We cannot make any exceptions to any religious groups, one senior Turkish diplomat told Reuters recently when asked about the seminary.

[11] New distribution of seats in the Turkish Parliament after Anavatan´s parliamentary member resigns

Sirin said: ''I am resigning from ANAVATAN since making politics in a party which described the terrorist organization as ''guerilla'' and failed to pursue a consistent policy particularly on the inseparable integrity of the country contradicts my understanding of politics, constitution and democracy.''

Following the resignation of Sirin, the number of ANAVATAN's seats in the parliament dropped to 21.

Below is the current distribution of seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly:

AKP: 357

CHP: 154

ANAVATAN: 21

Independent: 5

SHP: 4

DYP: 4

HYP: 1

Vacant: 4

(AKP stands for ruling Justice & Development Party, ANAVATAN for Motherland Party, SHP for Social Democrat People's Party, DYP for True Path Party, and HYP for People's Rise Party.)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Warning to Europeans by cheated buyer of twice sold Greek Cypriot property. Letter by British couple

Sir,

I would appreciate your assistance in bringing to public attention the possible problems in purchasing property in `TRNC´. Last July 2005, my wife and I entered into a contract with a builder to have a property constructed in Alsancak (occupied Karavas). We signed contracts and deposited 19,000 Sterling Pounds as the initial installment. In October, we were advised by the Estate Agent who was managing the development that the builder had mistakenly signed the property to another party. From then until now, our lawyer has been unable to recover our money, despite promises from the builder.

I feel it may need to be brought to public attention and in particular any Europeans who may be considering purchasing property in `TRNC´ of the possible problems which may occur.

If your newspaper were to investigate the background to this problem it may assist others in the future, and hopefully prevent the reputation of the building industry from being tarnished.

I trust you find this of consumer interest, and look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Mr Jim Gallacher.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (`TRNC´) is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the Greek Cypriot properties occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops. Ankara and its subordinate regime are doing everything to usurp the properties the Greek Cypriots were forced to abandon at gun point in 1974 under the indifferent eyes of the international community, which in some cases assists the usurpers in the violation of the human rights of EU citiziens).

(KV)

/SK

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