Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-15

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Through leakages by reliable sources the Turkish side is trying to justify its negative stance regarding the technical committees.

[02] Eroglu discloses that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has written and unwritten policies on the Cyprus problem.

[03] Letter by Talat to the UN on President Papadopoulos statements to L´Express.

[04] The Turkish Press on President Papadopoulos´ statements to L´Express.

[05] Statements by Serdar Denktas in London and occupied Lefkosia. He supports separation on the Czechoslovak model.

[06] TKP´s appeal against the Property Law was turned down by the illegal Constitutional Court.

[07] Northumbria Police confirms that Gary Robb is still on Interpol´s red bulletin for drugs and other offences.

[08] Turkish Cypriot paper writes that occupied Cyprus has become a transit center of hashish and a refuge for drug traffickers like Garry Robb who is wanted by Interpol.

[09] Oya Talat in London for participating in the Embargoed! Silent March activity.

[10] Drop in the value of Turkish Lira affects the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[11] Turkish firm to produce oil in N.Iraq.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Commentary on Gary Robb´s dealings in occupied Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Through leakages by reliable sources the Turkish side is trying to justify its negative stance regarding the technical committees

Invoking information acquired from reliable sources by IHA news agency, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (15.05.06) reports that the Turkish Cypriot side has given its approval for the establishment and functioning of the technical committees which will be working on issues proposed by the UN Secretary- Generals Special Representative in Cyprus, Mr Michael Möller.

The paper alleges that in spite of this, the fact that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to burden the technical committees with different duties, to broaden their field of work and put preconditions is preventing the functioning of the committees.

The paper argues that Mr Möller, who was in New York last week in order to brief the UN Secretary General on his work, could not achieve any progress on the functioning of the committees because of the insistence of the Greek Cypriot side.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu discloses that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has written and unwritten policies on the Cyprus problem

Responding to a question, Mr Eroglu said, inter alia, the following:

When we were working with four Presidents of the Republic and eight Prime Ministers, the Cyprus policy was always on the agenda. The negotiator was president Denktas, but the policy was discussed with the Turkish governments. While we were applying this Cyprus policy with Turkey, those who are in power now were openly criticizing the fact that we were cooperating with Turkey.

Now when they came to power we see that they are boasting that they are cooperating with Turkey. .

Expressing the opinion that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) is trying to create the impression that it is in harmony with the policy of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Cyprus, Mr Eroglu argued that actually things are not like the CTP is presenting them and alleged that the CTP wants to get rid of the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus).

Mr Eroglu adds the following:

Essentially, the government of Turkey has recently begun to put forth a different vision on its Cyprus policy. They have begun seeing much better the EU reality. Turkey has begun abandoning the concession making policies, when the countries within the EU which think that Turkey cannot join the EU, put forth their stance. They have begun giving some different signals. They have come to the point of saying that we will revise our policies.

Elections approach in Turkey. Turkey will more openly and clearly put forward its vague policies, because there are written and unwritten policies in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkey. The stance of CTP will change when these unwritten policies appear. .

(I/Ts.)

[03] Letter by Talat to the UN on President Papadopoulos statements to L´Express

In his letter, which was circulated as a United Nations document, Mr Talat said the Turkish Cypriot Side has been waiting to establish a fruitful dialogue with the Greek Cypriot Side with the purpose of launching a renewed phase of fully-fledged negotiations under the UN auspices for the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

`We were astonished and dismayed with Mr Papadopoulos remarks` he said, noting that the statements are contradictory to the conclusions of the 1977-1979 High Level Agreements and the parameters established in four-decades-old negotiations carried out between the two parties under the auspices of the United Nations.

In his letter, he said the Greek Cypriot Leaders remarks also run counter to the expressed will of the international community, and particularly to that of the European Union which on numerous occasions underlined its full support for a settlement in Cyprus under the auspices of the United Nations and on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

He said it was also disappointing that such a statement came at a time when the United Nations was working diligently to improve the current atmosphere in the island with the establishment of technical committees between the two parties.

He explained that the establishment of these committees was aimed at preparing the ground for negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem by building confidence between the two sides, which he said, have been greatly damaged with the Greek Cypriot rejection of the Annan Plan and as a result of the uncompromising policies of the Greek Cypriot Leadership.

In the conclusion of his letter, Mr Talat warned that the prospect for a settlement in Cyprus, will be further and seriously damaged if the parties interested in the settlement of the Cyprus problem, continue to remain silent in the face of such provocative and counterproductive statements by the Greek Cypriot leadership.

[04] The Turkish Press on President Papadopoulos´ statements to L´Express

Remarks made by Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos to a French daily ruling out political equality and power sharing with Turkish Cypriots has drawn criticism from Turkish Cypriots and several Greek Cypriot politicians.

"For me, there could be no agreement that doesn't envisage a reunification of territory, society, the economy and, finally, a reunification of institutions within the same state. None of the above were part of the Annan plan," Papadopoulos told French daily L'Express in an exclusive interview last week.

"This is why the Greek Cypriots rejected the plan: We categorically reject a state that would be comprised of two separate zones and two types of community structures, given that about 82 percent of the population is Greek," he further said.

Papadopoulos' remarks drew harsh criticism from the Turkish Cypriot press and in defense the Greek Cypriot leader argued that his comments had been taken out of context and misinterpreted.

But Greek Cypriot United Democrats (EDI) leader Michalis Papapetrou said Wednesday that to double check, his party contacted French speakers and translators to look at the transcript.

"They all agree that the meaning of the comment is unmistakable. There's no way it's been mistranslated," Papapetrou told the Greek Cypriot press. According to Papapetrou, Papadopoulos was merely trying to duck trouble by shifting the blame elsewhere.

"At the end of the day, this administration is all about keywords. We've seen certain controversial phrases make their way into speeches. Then translators make mistakes, or it's journalists' fault for erroneously reporting what the president said.

"This happens so often that it's clear that the culprit is none other than the person who utters the comments, namely the president himself, he added.

[05] Statements by Serdar Denktas in London and occupied Lefkosia. He supports separation on the Czechoslovak model

Mr Serdar Denktas words came during a banquet in London held to celebrate the setting up of a local Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce by Turkish Cypriot businessmen living in Britain.

Answering journalists questions during the London reception, Mr Serdar Denktas said there were still areas that required clarification on how the EU financial assistance package would be channelled to occupied Cyprus.

Asked whether or not the European Union was sincere on the implementation of the Financial Assistance regulation and on similar issues related to occupied Cyprus, he expressed the view that the Union is sincere on many issues, but said he believes the Union faced difficulties from time to time in trying to convince the Republic of Cyprus on certain issues.

It looks - as if - the Greek Cypriot Administration has the European Union on leash to check it and lead it according to its own wishes, he alleged.

Expressing the belief that the EU will sooner or later realize what the Republic of Cyprus is doing; Mr Denktas said time was needed to see how the European Union will channel the financial assistance to occupied Cyprus.

Illegal Bayrak television (13.05.06) broadcast the following:

The Turkish Cypriot people must determine their own path on the Cyprus issue and create policies accordingly, this statement came from `Deputy Prime Minister Foreign Minister´ Serdar Denktas during a press conference he gave this morning briefing the media on his visits abroad.

Referring to his visit to Slovakia, Serdar Denktas said that he had many contacts while in the country, including meetings with high level bureaucrats and attended a conference organized by the Foreign Politics Union of Slovakia.

Explaining that as the first Turkish Cypriot politician to go to Slovakia he received positive impressions on his trip, Mr Denktas said he had also found the opportunity to examine the separation and then the reunification of Czechoslovakia under European Union membership.

He repeated his earlier remarks that the Czechoslovak model of separation could be used as an example for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Pointing to the fact that mutual trust did not exist between the two sides in Cyprus, `Foreign Minister´ Denktas stated that in order for there to be trust between the two communities the European Union and the international community should exercise a policy towards the Greek Cypriot side.

[06] TKP´s appeal against the Property Law was turned down by the illegal Constitutional Court

The `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Constitutional Court´ has dropped the legal case brought by the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) against the new Property Law, saying that the TKP does not have the legal-constitutional power to take any law to the `Constitutional Court´, as it is not represented in the TRNC Parliament.

The `Court´ ruled that the Communal Liberation Party which has no parliamentary representation - is not eligible to take any `law´ before the Constitutional Court.

Commenting on the `Courts´ unanimous decision, the TKPs General Secretary Mehmet Davulcu expressed the hope that the `Property Law´ will, eventually, be rescinded.

Reading out the `Courts´ decision, the `High Court President´, `Chief Justice´ Metin Hakki reminded that the `TRNC Constitution´ does not allow any political party which controls no seats in parliament, to file a legal case at the `Constitutional Court´.

The `Court´ also criticized the TKP of misusing the right given by the `TRNC Constitution´, and said that the party filed the case knowing that it was not eligible to do that.

Not taking the step they took, would suit the TKP much better, it said.

Commenting on the `courts´ decision, the Partys Secretary General Mehmet Davulcu expressed the belief that the `law´ will eventually be rescinded.

Explaining that the TKPs aim was to uphold the principle of the rule of law and respect the `constitutional order´, Mr Davulcu said the Communal Liberation Party had succeeded in achieving this.

The `Constitutional Court´ started to hear the TKPs case last Thursday but the case was adjourned indefinitely when the defendant claimed that the plaintiff the TKP is not eligible to file a case at the court because it is not represented in the `Republics Assembly´.

The new `Property Law´ intended as a means of domestic remedy for property claims by Greek Cypriots whove been seeking legal action at the European Court of Human Rights to promote their property rights, went into force last December after long and mostly heated public debates, and parliamentary discussions.

The UBP and TKP, separately, took the new legislation to the `TRNC Constitutional Court´ on March 21st, claiming that it violates the `Constitution´, and that it should be rescinded.

The new `law´, envisages, among, other things, the creation of an independent `Immovable Property Commission´ which would function more like a court.

The commission has, since, begun functioning, and has already been processing many applications by Greek Cypriots claiming property rights in the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´.

The `Constitutional Court´ will start hearing a similar case filed by the main opposition National Unity Party next Thursday.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the ethnically cleansed territories of Cyprus by 40,000 fully equipped Turkish troops).

[07] Northumbria Police confirms that Gary Robb is still on Interpol´s red bulletin for drugs and other offences

(AFRIKA´s front page leader is published as commentary in the column Letter from AFRIKA under the title Before Inerpol gets him see Section B of the bulletin at hand).

Moreover, under the title: Robb faces court action, in its front page and Conflicting stories over Robb´s arrest, charges in page 3, Turkish Cypriot weekly CYPRUS TODAY (13-19.05.06) reports the following about the struggle going on between Turks and foreigners, mainly British, to usurp the properties of the victims of the barbaric Turkish invasion and occupation of defenseless Cyprus by the Turkish Republic´s army:

The battle between TRNC property developer Gary Robb and his former business associate at AGA Development Construction, Tahir Soycan, looks to be heading for the courts.

Mr Soycan´s lawyer Guner Goktug said yesterday he would file four cases against Gary Robb and newspapers in the TRNC which had published his allegations that Mr Soycan had used AGA money on other projects.

Mr Goktug declined to comment further, saying anything Mr Soycan had to say would be said in court.

Mr Robb, who made a dramatic return to the TRNC last Friday, said this week he had lodged with police allegations of fraud, embezzlement, forgery and impersonation against Mr Soycan.

But a police spokesman told CYPRUS TODAY they had no such evidence on file and were not currently investigating Mr Soycan.

Doubt was also cast on claims, widely aired in the newspapers this week, that Mr Robb had been detained while in Thailand on an allegation of destroying Greek land.

Mr Robb said he was held in the notorious Bangkok Hilton prison and was only released when the British Embassy intervened, saying there were no charges outstanding against him. But Daniel Painter, the second secretary of political affairs at the British Embassy in Bangkok, said they had no record of such dealings. He said police in Thailand always informed them when a British national was arrested, and when this happened they only gave consular advice and never tried to get the detainee released.

Differing statements about the reported arrest were also made by Cafer Gurcafer chairman of the Construction Contactors´ Association and the government representative on the new AGA board, and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Mr Gurcafer said the British Ambassador in Thailand had opposed the arrest of Mr Robb because there were no charges outstanding against him in Britain and a UK citizen could no be arrested just for building villas in North Cyprus.

But Mr Soyer said it was the TRNC government that had intervened in the matter.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed to CYPRUS TODAY that there is an outstanding arrest warrant still out against Mr Robb in Britain. Charlies Westberg, of Northumbria Police said: I can confirm that should Robb return to the UK he will be arrested.

A warrant was issued by a Crown Court judge after he disappeared during his trial where he was charged with around 14 offences, the most serious of which is conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Mr Westberg said Interpol still had a red bulletin out for Mr Robb´s arrest and he was on the active list of wanted people. There is an international warrant for Gary Robb which will be activated should we become aware that he is in the jurisdiction of a country that has an extradition treaty with the UK.

¤A car parked outside Cafer Gurcafer´s construction company offices was reported to have been gutted by fire in a suspected arson attack last Friday night ,

(Tr. Note: As published in the Turkish Cypriot press and included in item 10 of the Turkish Mass Media Bulletin No.86/06 (06-07-08.05.06), in spite of the above Gary Robb flew from Thailand by way of Germany to the occupied areas with British assistance).

[08] Turkish Cypriot paper writes that occupied Cyprus has become a transit center of hashish and a refuge for drug traffickers like Garry Robb who is wanted by Interpol

The paper notes the fact that occupied Cyprus is out of Interpol´s control, makes it very attractive. With the money laundering taking place in night clubs and in the gambling houses, we will reach a level to replace Taiwan (in this aspect), the paper writes. It also reports that the country is administrated by the understanding of the ministry of foreign affairs that there is no dirty and clean money. It also writes that as if the distribution of the properties that belong to the Greek Cypriots was not enough now it is given as present to the foreigners.

The paper also writes about Garry Robb and notes that a businessman like Garry Robb, who is wanted by Interpol and there is an arrest warrant issued for him, is making agreements with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Democratic Party (DP) government, and he is making construction business in Cyprus. Ten million sterling pounds, which has been gathered by the customers, have been carried to Taiwan. The last quantity of the one and a half million sterling pounds was blocked in London by the British Central Bank. By saying The Greek Cypriot Interpol is behind me, they are organizing a plot against me, he took shelter again in north Cyprus. The sad aspect of this is that he did so after coming into agreement with the CTP-DP government, writes the paper which also notes that not even the prime minister denied that there was an agreement with Garry Robb.

(C/S)

[09] Oya Talat in London for participating in the Embargoed! Silent March activity

Oya Talat will be in London on 18 May and will return to Cyprus on 21 May.

During her stay in London, Mrs Talat will perform a series of visits. Amongst them she will visit the Southwark´s Turkish Cypriots´ Social Headquarter and the Ali Riza Degirmencioglu Turkish school, while she will address a seminar entitled Silent March: The Turkish Cypriot Women and the North Cyprus´ campaign of terminating the ´isolation´. She will also meet the newly elected city board of Turkish Cypriots´ and participate in one of the programs that the Turkish Radio of London broadcasts.

(M/L)

[10] Drop in the value of Turkish Lira affects the occupied areas of Cyprus

The drop in the value of the New Turkish Lira against major hard currencies, has led to discontent among citizens.

As the `TRNC Central Bank´ is incapable to intervene, North Cyprus trade, industry, banking sectors and the economy in general, is waiting to see how the Turkish Central Bank will tackle the trend.

Some observers say the rise in the value of major hard currencies against the value of the YTL is due to a higher-than-expected inflation rate, Turkeys widening foreign deficit, and the recent sharpening in the tone of domestic political rhetoric between the government and the opposition parties in Turkey.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the areas of Cyprus under the occupation of Turkish troops).

[11] Turkish firm to produce oil in N.Iraq

A Turkish petroleum company is starting oil production in northern Iraq with an official ceremony this weekend as a sign of stronger Turkish business interest in the region.

Genel Elektrik is a relatively new oil and gas production enterprise which is registered in Turkey with the majority shareholder being the Cukurova Holdings Group.

After agreements were reached with the authorities of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central Baghdad administration, Genel Elektrik is now planning to begin oil production initially in three oil wells in the Taq Taq area of northern Iraq, 60 kilometers northeast of Kirkuk. The first will primarily provide crude oil for local consumption. The results of these wells will be utilized to design further and full field development.

Genel is only one of hundreds of Turkish firms operating in northern Iraq, showing stronger interest from the Turkish business sector in the region. According to a report from the Anatolia news agency, 314 Turkish businessmen are registered with Erbil Chamber of Commerce with their total volume of business reaching $1.5 billion.

The report mentioned Cevikler Construction LTD. President Ilnur Cevik, former Turkish Minister and Deputy Serafettin Elci's son Renas Elci and Turkish woman entrepreneur Ferda Cemiloglu as the first Turkish investors in northern Iraq.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Commentary on Gary Robb´s dealings in occupied Cyprus

The secrecy shroud over the escape of the Gary Robb from the `TRNC´ to Bangkok and his return with the special permission of the government is yet to be removed

When Ferdi Sabit Soyer was announcing Robbs return to the `TRNC´ he was putting forward incredible allegations on why he was allowed to return to the `TRNC´

According to Soyer the Interpol had postponed the decision to arrest Robb and as a result of this the `TRNC government´ has decided to allow Robb to return to our country

However, according to the information acquired by our newspaper this claim is not true

In fact the Interpol did not postpone the arrest warrant and it is still valid

We had invited Ferdi Sabit Soyer to substantiate his claim and to publicize the Interpol document that says the arrest warrant is postponed

Mr Soyer is yet to offer this document to our community He cannot present this document because there is no such decision by Interpol

Upon return to our country Gary Robb has declared that he has a fortune worth 65 Million Sterling Pounds

When this information was made public numerous telephone calls were received in our paper from our citizens asking how Mr Robb had amassed this fortune. Did he bring it from abroad? Or did he make this money in our country? And if he made this money here with what kind of miracle did he get it? Is the citizen not right in asking such questions?

Soyer says that Robb came to our country in 2003 and started his investments. Is it possible to amass such a fortune in a few years´ time?

The Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Building and Contractors´ Union , Mr Cafer Gurcafers claims as well are yet to be substantiated He had mentioned dark forces and said that those dark forces had plundered Robbs equipment and carried arson attack against his car Who are they?

They are not known but they are not being disclosed.

Robb is trying hum and haw something but refuses to give names

When he was in Bangkok he was stabbed behind by his closest friend here

Who is Robbs closest man here? Is he a plunderer? Is he still among us?

Is there no authority here which to ask from the plunderer to give account for his actions?

Mr Robb is involved in 700 buildings in Karmi, Ayios Epiktitos, Klepini and Kyrenia. Around 100 of them he is about to complete and hand over to the owners

Since we have brought this estimable businessman back again let us hand over Morfu and Karpass to him if he has built 700 houses he could build 7000 or 70000 as well Do not lose him, let him build our homes before Interpol gets him!.

/SK

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