Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-08-18

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey denies reports that the occupied ports of the Republic of Cyprus are to be opened under UN auspices.

[02] 382 relatives of Turkish Cypriot Missing Persons have donated blood samples; 11 missing persons were identified.

[03] New Commander of the 28th Mechanized Infantry Divison of the occupation forces was appointed by Turkey´s Supreme Military Council.

[04] The discussion of the governmental crisis is postponed for after the return of Serdar Denktas from Kyrgyzstan.

[06] VAKIT: The average age of opium and heroin use dropped in occupied Cyprus.

[07] Gul: Sending troops to Lebanon is a matter of prestige.

[08] Namik Tan: Turkey expects more concrete steps in fight against PKK.

[09] Turkey signs oil and gas agreement with Brazil; Talks with Iran and Russia on energy issues continue.

[10] Turkeys Central Bank's foreign currency reserves up to $57.6 billion.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey denies reports that the occupied ports of the Republic of Cyprus are to be opened under UN auspices

Speaking during his weekly press conference, Mr Tan reminded that a new a process on the Cyprus problem was currently underway and added that all efforts should be focused on these new talks.

Reiterating Turkeys support to the Action Plan on Cyprus which has been announced by Mr Gul, Mr Tan alleged that the Action Plan is an important step on the path towards finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

[02] 382 relatives of Turkish Cypriot Missing Persons have donated blood samples; 11 missing persons were identified

Noting that the remains, which are at the possession of both sides, will be transferred to the abovementioned DNA laboratory after the completion of the necessary installations at the anthropology laboratory in the buffer zone, Mr Erdengiz said: As it is known, six anthropologists will work at the aforementioned DNA laboratory, two Turkish Cypriots, two Greek Cypriots and two foreigners. He also added that all the equipment of the laboratory was obtained by financial aid of the Turkish Republic.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (18.08.06) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Dr Erol Baysal, who is also adviser of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, said that they have started to collect blood samples of the relatives of the Missing People at the DNA laboratory in the self-styled Dr Burhan Nalbantoglu State Hospital in the occupied Lefkosia.

Mr Baysal said that 382 relatives of the Turkish Cypriot Missing Persons have donated blood samples for the last seven months and until now the missing relatives of eleven persons were identified.

(DPs)

[03] New Commander of the 28th Mechanized Infantry Divison of the occupation forces was appointed by Turkeys Supreme Military Council

Major General Sabri Demirezen will take up the post in September.

A handover ceremony was held the day before yesterday at the 28th Mechanized Infantry Division, attended by the self-styled President Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the Speaker of the Republics Assembly, the Commander of the Turkish Occupation Forces in Cyprus Lieutenant General Hasan Memisoglu and the Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Occupation Security Forces Major General Mehmet Eroz.

The divisions history, and biographies of Major General Aydemir Culcuoglu and Staff Colonel Rahmi Torun who will be carrying out the duty of acting commander until Major General Sabri Demirezen arrives on the island to take up his new post, were read out during the ceremony.

Later, Major General Aydemir Culcuoglu handed over his duties to the acting commander, Staff Colonel Rahmi Torun.

Moreover, the outgoing commander of the Turkish Occupation Forces in Cyprus Lieutenant General Hasan Memisoglu handed over his duties to his successor, Lieutenant General Hayri Kivrikoglu.

[04] The discussion of the governmental crisis is postponed for after the return of Serdar Denktas from Kyrgyzstan

In statements to KIBRIS Mr Denktas said that they discussed the issue with Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer, chairman of the CTP and self-styled prime minister, and added that they will continue their evaluations after his visit to Kyrgyzstan.

He noted that no suggestion has been submitted to his party by the CTP and refrained from commenting on press reports which argued that the CTP wants to take away the ministry of foreign affairs from the DP, because there is a wish for Mr Kutlay Erk, former mayor of occupied Nicosia and CTPs Foreign Relations Secretary, becoming minister of foreign affairs.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Atilla Koc arrives in occupied Cyprus today

During his illegal visit Mr Koc will be attending tonight the opening of Gala of the International Cyprus Theatre Festival.

As part of his other contacts the Turkish Culture Minister will also attend the signing of a joint protocol that envisages the construction of a new Cultural Centre in occupied Lefkosia. He will also meet with the state and government officials.

[06] VAKIT: The average age of opium and heroin use dropped in occupied Cyprus

[07] Gul: Sending troops to Lebanon is a matter of prestige

When asked about the views of the soldiers on this issue, Gul replied: We share similar views. We are of the same view as regards the prestige issue. Of course our common anxiety is that the Turkish troops should go there under maximum security. If this is not secured we will not be there.

(MHY)

[08] Namik Tan: Turkey expects more concrete steps in fight against PKK

"We expect the United States, which just called on terrorist organization PKK to lay down its arms, to take more concrete steps," Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan said on Thursday. In a weekly press conference, Tan noted that the United States was one of the countries which closely cooperate with Turkey in its fight against PKK. "USA knows well what terror is. We appreciate that USA qualified PKK a `terrorist´ organization and also shape its policies within this scope."

The United States has called on `terrorist´ organization PKK to "cease its terrorist attacks and lay down arms", according to a press statement by Sean McCormack, the spokesman of the U.S.

Department of State. "Actually, we expect the United States to take more concrete steps instead of such a statement", Tan underlined.

Asked whether Turkey's position has changed regarding the Greater Middle East Initiative after the latest developments in the Mideast, Tan indicated, "we have our own position on this matter".

"All of you have watched on TV channels incidents that have taken place in Lebanon. Everyone is aware of new situation there. We will make our own assessments and determine our policies," he stressed.

Stating that Iraq has taken some positive steps as far as fight against `terrorist´ organization PKK is concerned, Tan added, "however Turkey expects more concrete steps."

"This process is not a short-term one. It will take some time. We have comprehensive expectations. We informed them (Iraqi authorities) on these matters," Tan stated.

"Trilateral talks (Turkey-USA-Iraq) are under way. We saw that Iraq took some important steps, but these steps were not enough for us. We expect more steps," he said.

Tan stressed that both USA and Iraq were informed on Turkey's concerns on this matter.

[09] Turkey signs oil and gas agreement with Brazil; Talks with Iran and Russia on energy issues continue

"Any problem with Iran and Russia as regards to energy issue is out of question. Talks are underway," Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said on Thursday.

He responded to the questions of reporters during the signing ceremony of an agreement between Oil and gas company of Turkey (TPAO) and Brazilian Petrobras firm.

When a journalist recalled the recent visit of the Iranian Oil Minister to Turkey and asked about the talks with Iran over oil and natural gas, Guler said talks with Iran are underway.

Asked about the talks between Russian Gazprom company and Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corp. (BOTAS), Guler said talks also continued with Gazprom.

"We had projects under 3 main topics, i.e. extension of the Blue Stream (pipeline), distribution of natural gas within Turkey and (construction of) underground depots (for storage purposes)," Guler stressed.

[10] Turkey´s Central Bank's foreign currency reserves up to $57.6 billion

Turkish Central Bank announced on Thursday that its foreign currency reserves rose by 223 million USD to 57.6 billion USD, between August 4th and 11th, 2006.

Releasing a weekly press bulletin, the Central Bank indicated that its total gross reserves increased by 396 million USD to 84.5 billion USD on July 28th, 2006. Of that, 25.1 billion USD was from privately-owned companies, including commercial banks while the Central Bank held the rest. Total gross reserves was 84.1 billion USD on July 21st, 2006.

Meanwhile, Turkey repaid 2 billion USD in foreign debt between August 1st and 16th.

/SK

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