Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-17

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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 Turkish Press recycles reports that Premier Karamanlis agreed to help Turkey avoid its EU obligations

[02] Statements by Talat to TRT

[03] The number of the voters in occupied Cyprus is 151.635

[04] The European Parliament Greens Group to hold its executive board meeting in the occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops territory of Cyprus

[05] Erdogan warns of a new situation if the faits accomplis of the Turkish invasion are not legitimized

[06] Greeks of Pontus to recourse to the EU regarding the genocide against their ancestors

[07] Turkish and U.S. diplomat to be permanently in each other´s Ministry

[08] Final retouches to Turkey-US 'strategic vision' paper

[09] KIBRISLI accuses the British High Commissioner in Cyprus of being a liar

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Letter by British shows the struggle going on in occupied Cyprus to share the properties the Greek Cypriots were forced to abandon in 1974

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Press recycles reports that Premier Karamanlis agreed to help Turkey avoid its EU obligations

Following is the report in the New Anatolian newspaper (16.05.06) published under the title:

Karamanlis Erdogan agree on avoiding Cyprus crisis:

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis agreed not to make a major problem out of the Turkish government's refusal to open its ports and harbors to Greek Cypriots this year, the Greek media reported.

According to a report in daily Eleftherotypia, at a meeting in Vienna on Friday Karamanlis and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan talked about a possible crisis in European Union-Turkey relations this fall due to a deadlock in the Cyprus problem.

Citing domestic problems and upcoming elections as the main obstacles to opening Turkey's ports and harbors to Greek Cypriots in 2006, Erdogan asked his Greek counterpart not to make the matter a major issue. According to Greek media reports, the Turkish prime minister also assured Karamanlis that he'll be flexible on the issue in 2007 and Karamanlis reportedly agreed on avoiding a crisis in Turkey's EU process. The Turkish and Greek prime ministers also agreed in principle to temporarily suspend military exercises in the disputed Aegean Sea during the summer.

The EU has been urging Ankara to implement the additional protocol which extends the Customs Union between Turkey and the EU to the 10 new members, including the Greek Cypriot administration. The Turkish government is required to ratify the additional protocol and open its ports and harbors to the Greek Cypriots this year.

But the Turkish government argues that before such a move, the EU also has to keep its promises and end to economic isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). According to Ankara, if the EU doesn't ease the isolation of Northern Cyprus and Turkey opened its ports and harbors to the Greek Cypriots, it would be nothing more than promoting Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos' uncompromising stance on the Cyprus issue.

The Turkish government in January took a new initiative and called for a mutual lifting of all restrictions on the island of Cyprus by all parties but the Greek Cypriot administration immediately rejected the suggestion.

Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines between the Greek-Cypriot south and the TRNC since 1974, when Turkey sent troops in to foil a coup engineered by Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece.

The last United Nations-led efforts to reunite the island failed in April 2004 when the Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly rejected a UN unification plan which was approved by the Turkish Cypriots. Ankara also backed the plan.

After that, the Greek-Cypriot south became an EU member claiming to represent the whole island. The TRNC in the north is currently only recognized by Turkey, though it's made recent inroads towards a greater international presence.

Subtitle: Karamanlis may visit Turkey late this year

In related news, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said over the weekend that it's likely Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis may visit Turkey by the end of the year.

"We're now trying to fix a date for the visit through diplomatic channels. It might take place this year," Bakoyannis said in an interview with Greek daily Ethnos.

On the sidelines of a Balkan summit in Sofia earlier this month, Erdogan asked the Greek premier to make his long-delayed visit to Ankara, but didn't receive a clear positive answer.

Instead Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis is expected to attend a journalism conference in Istanbul on June 10. Bakoyannis is also expected to meet Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

(Tr.Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in occupied northern Cyprus through the force of arms of 40,000 fully equipped Turkish troops.)

[02] Statements by Talat to TRT

Mr Talat, who was visiting Istanbul yesterday for contacts, said: What we have to do is to develop proposals for a solution which the world could accept and it could be in harmony with the parameters of the UN.

Referring to the 541 and 550 resolutions of the UN Security Council, he added: Struggling to get rid of the above-mentioned resolutions could be an alternative. However, as long as they exist, I do not see this idea as a serious alternative for the policy in favour of the solution and the unification of Cyprus which we are following at the moment. I do not see it as a policy that could have continuity. This is the situation in the conditions of today. I am not saying that the only solution is the Annan Plan. Let us not forget, however, that the 65 % of the Turkish Cypriots supported this plan. Therefore, the parameters of the plan continue being a valid solution formula for us.

Mr Talat noted that there are not many developments on the Cyprus problem and that there is a stagnation regarding the responsibilities of Turkey towards the EU deriving from the Ankara Agreement. He alleged that there are efforts to drag the Cyprus problem into this tense environment of crisis.

Mr Talat said that the UN Secretary General will send his representative to Cyprus after the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus.

He also accused the President of the Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos, of being intransigent. When asked whether or not a solution could be found with such actors, he alleged the following: It is very difficult, but it can happen. The lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is the only step to be made in the direction of the solution.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The number of the voters in occupied Cyprus is 151.635

Mr Metin Hakk1 stated that the final lists as regards the number of the voters will be announced on the 5th of June, 2006. According to the information that he gave, the number of the voters on the 17th of April 2005, when the presidential elections took place in the TRNC, was 147.823. As he said there was an increase of 3. 812 voters.

Mr Metin gave also information about the voters in the various municipalities of the TRNC: 47.773 persons vote in occupied Lefkosia, 39.908 persons in Famagusta, 27.950 in Kyrenia, 20.340 in Morfou and 15.664 in Trikomo.

C/S

[04] The European Parliament Greens Group to hold its executive board meeting in the occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops territory of Cyprus

AB HABER.COM (17/05/06 internet version) reports that European Greens will hold this years summit in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.

AB HABER.COM reports that the Greens, with the initiative of the European Parliament member Cem Ozdemir is getting ready for taking a historic step. The AB HABER.COM claims that this step will lend a strong support to efforts aimed at the unification of the island and the removal of the so-called isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. With this step, the settlement of the Cyprus problem will be on the EU and the worlds agenda again.

Moreover the Turkish TV channel CNN TURK this morning (17/05/06 08:00 hours) carried out live interview with Mr. Ozdemir through telephone during which the Greens Euro MP said that the summit will be held after the summer holidays part in the TRNC and part in the Green Line.

Turkish daily ZAMAN newspaper (17/05/06 internet version) reports that the members of the Executive Committee of the Greens will arrive in Cyprus from the legal entry points of the Republic of Cyprus and then cross into the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus. The paper adds that the members plan to stay in the north during the course of the meetings. Mr. Ozdemir further explained that the reason for holding this meeting in Cyprus in 2006 is to soften the ports crisis and to point the importance of the continuation of the EU-Turkey negotiations. The paper reports that Daniel Cohen-Bendit, Monica Frassoni, Turkey-EU joint parliamentary committee co-chairman, Joost Lagendjik, Cem Ozdemir and members of the Executive Committee will attend the meeting. The committee members will meet Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

[05] Erdogan warns of a new situation if the faits accomplis of the Turkish invasion are not legitimized

Regarding the additional protocol Erdogan said that on this issue Turkey has something to say, On this issue I had a meeting with the Austrian Chancellor Schussel. He will come back to us as regards our proposals as the term president of the EU. There could be new situations. The prime minister of Greece Mr.Karamanlis will continue to support Turkeys EU process. The Greek foreign Minister will visit our country and our foreign minister will visit Athens. We say if you do not take steps regarding the isolations we, as a guarantor state, have to take steps. In order not to experience any bottleneck during the screening and negotiation process we are meeting the term presidents. I am of the conviction that there will be no bottlenecks.

(MHY)

[06] Greeks of Pontus to recourse to the EU regarding the genocide against their ancestors

The Chairman of the Federation of the Pontian Associations Mr.Yorgos Parharides told MILLIYET that their objective is to get international recognition for the genocide committed against the Greeks of Pontus. He said that this is a historic event and the best thing for Turkey is to admit this crime committed by their ancestors. He urged Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to apologise for the crime perpetrated by his ancestors.

(MHY)

[07] Turkish and U.S. diplomat to be permanently in each other´s Ministry

According to the secret diplomacy traffic conducted between USA and Turkey, both diplomats will serve as a bridge against the possible crisis between both countries. American diplomat who will come to Ankara will be a Turkey specialist and will speak perfect Turkish. On the other hand, Turkish diplomat in Washington will also make shuttle diplomacy for Middle East and Middle Asia.

[08] Final retouches to Turkey-US 'strategic vision' paper. Cyprus among the issues

The Turkish-U.S. "strategic vision" paper will be concluded this week, following weeks of discussions, diplomatic sources told The New Anatolian yesterday.

Washington will send an envoy to Ankara on Thursday to finalize the document. Diplomats said that it won't be signed by the parties or be legally binding but will serve as a guideline for the Turkish government and the U.S. administration.

During U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to Ankara last month, both sides agreed on the general framework of the document and instructed diplomats to finalize it soon.

According to sources, the document includes the following common goals:

- Turkey's European Union accession

- Settlement of the Cyprus problem

- Eliminating the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) threat

- Enhancing stability and democracy in Iraq, maintaining its territorial integrity and political unity

- Success in Afghanistan's political and economic reconstruction

- Stronger Turkish role in the Greater Middle East Initiative (GME)

- Closer cooperation on energy

- Normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia

- Establishment of new permanent mechanisms to boost exchange of ideas on all levels in the areas of politics, the economy and defense.

[09] KIBRISLI accuses the British High Commissioner in Cyprus of being a liar

The paper publishes a text in the English language which has allegedly been sent by the Cleveland Police. The text is the following:

IF ASKED RE GARY ROBB 16TH May 2006

A warrant was issued by a Crown Court judge for the arrest of Garry Robb after fled the country during a trial where he faced a number of charges including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The warrant is still active. Cleveland Police will arrest him should he return to the UK. Action will also be taken should he knowingly come into the jurisdiction of a country with an extradition treaty with the UK.

The paper wonders whether or not Mr Millet has been a victim of the orthodox intrigues.

(I/Ts.)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Letter by British shows the struggle going on in occupied Cyprus to share the properties the Greek Cypriots were forced to abandon in 1974

Sir.

We write this letter to bring to the attention of your readers a situation involving a building company based in the TRNC. In July of 2005, my wife and I entered into a contract with Kofali Construction to have a property built on a development in Alsancak. Unwin Estate Agents were responsible for marketing the sale of the properties, and it was through their offices that the purchase was being processed. We exchanged contracts and paid an instalment of £19,000 Sterling to Unwin.

In October, we were requested by Kofali to pay a further £44,975Sterling towards the cost of the property.

Photographs of the building were provided to show the extent of the building work. On examination, we realised that the property shown could not have been the one we had purchased. We noted our concern to our lawyer, and to Unwin.

My wife and I traveled to the island later in October in order to clarify the situation, only to be told by Unwin that Kofali had entered into a separate contract with another party. At no time during our stay on the island did Kofali make themselves available to discuss the matter. Through our lawyer, they were advised that they were in breach of contract, and that all monies should be returned including expenses which we incurred. At this time of writing, we still await the return of our monies, despite numerous attempts by our lawyer to have Kofali do so.

This has been a particularly distressing experience for both my wife and I, and has soured our hopes of being able to have a property in the TRNC.

It also creates a poor image of the construction industry on the island at a time when many Europeans may be interested in acquiring property.

We appreciate this opportunity to highlight this issue through your publication.

Yours faithfully,

Mr & Mrs James Gallacher.

17 Russell Rd

Duntocher

Clydebank

G81 6JP

Scotland

(Tr. Note: TRNC is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish army in the properties of Greek Cypriots in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. The whole Greek population of occupied Cyprus is forced to live in poverty in temporary refugee housing estates when British and other foreigners, Turkish colonizers and the Turkish army officers plunder their property while, on top of this injustice, the plunderers hypothetically complain that they are kept isolated by their victims.

/X.CHR.

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