Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-10-05

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat calls on the EU to abandon the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem.2.DP will apply to the high administrative court on the ground that the works of the assembly are not legal.

[03] Legal action against the managers of the bankrupted banks upon a council of ministers decision.

[04] The number of the registered foreign workers in the occupied areas reached 53 thousands; Only 90 % is registered.

[05] The British Prime Minister will explain Turkeys demands to Finland.

[06] A new Cultural and Congress Centre is to be built in the occupied area of Famagusta.

[07] Olli Rehn met with Mr Gul.

[08] Turkish Deputy Prime Minister warns the EU over the Armenian genocide.

[09] Michael Leigh on the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

[10] Turkish politician is asking for the expulsion of the US Ambassador.

[11] Turkish Parliamentarian warns France against Armenian bill.

[12] Turkey cancels EU environment commission visit over Greek Cypriot presence.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat calls on the EU to abandon the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem

The paper notes that Mehmet Ali Talat, commenting on the Finnish proposal stated: The EU is not Cyprus solution platform. Mr Talat called on the EU to safeguard the conducting of free trade and free flights instead of making proposals regarding elements of the solution.

(C/S)

[02] DP will apply to the high administrative court on the ground that the works of the assembly are not legal

In addition as Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (05.10.06) writes, the program of the new coalition government will be put to a vote of confidence at the self-styled assembly today. The government needs at least 26 votes in order to get a vote of confidence. KIBRIS writes that the government will definitely get a vote of confidence since the number of the deputies of the two parties of the coalition number 28. (The Republican Turkish party has 25 deputies and the Free Party has 3). The main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democrat Party (DP) are boycotting the sessions of the assembly.

(C/S)

[03] Legal action against the managers of the bankrupted banks upon a council of ministers decision

On the same issue Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA (05.10.06) writes that the council of ministers has approved the opening of the lawsuits against the managers of the banks which went bankrupt before 2002 and reports that the property of the managers of Yurtbank, Kibris Finansbank, Hurbank ve Kredi-Bankasi will be confiscated in case they are found guilty.

(C/S)

[04] The number of the registered foreign workers in the occupied areas reached 53 thousands; Only 90 % is registered

In statements during a meeting with Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOS), Mr Adem noted that the persons working with permit in occupied Cyprus were only 3-5 thousand in the past and added that today the 90% of the foreign workers is registered and that only about 10% of the foreigners who work in occupied Cyprus are not registered.

Mr Elcil informed Mr Adem about the views of KTOS on the issue of the illegal workers and asked for urgent measures to be taken. He said that the illegal workers cause problems in many fields of life and added that the fact that the foreign workers bring their families with them creates intensive work in the fields of education and health.

Mr Elcil noted that the children of the foreign workers must enjoy the services supplied in the above mentioned fields and added that legal arrangements must be made in this direction. He also expressed the opinion that before the work permit is granted, the number of those workers who will come with their families should be established.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The British Prime Minister will explain Turkeys demands to Finland

The paper goes on and reports that the meeting which lasted an hour and twenty minutes, during which, Tony Blair urged his counterpart to be patient and careful. Blair said: At present the atmosphere is being darkened by those who do not want Turkeys entry into the EU. You have demonstrated a great leadership; let us continue to work together.

Stating that he will be meeting with the Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen who is working on the Cyprus problem and the EU Constitution, Blair said: I will explain your demands and your thesis on the Cyprus problem to my colleague.

(MHY)

[06] A new Cultural and Congress Centre is to be built in the occupied area of Famagusta

The construction is a joint project between the so-called East Mediterranean University (DAU) and the Famagusta Municipality, while the Turkish Republic finances the project. The construction of the building will cost approximately seven million dollars, while for the internal decoration an amount of a million dollars will be spent.

The agreement was signed yesterday by the self-styled Mayor of Famagusta, Oktay Kayalp, the Rector of DAU, Professor Halil Guven, and the Director of the Tosunoglu Construction Company Hasan Tosunoglu at a ceremony held at the DAU.

The construction of the centre is expected to be completed in March 2008 and it will cover a land of 8000 square metres. The centre that will offer the latest technological facilities, will have the capacity of hosting 1.200 persons at the opera and theatre halls and 350 persons at the conference rooms, while two conference rooms of 100 persons´ capacity and two of 60 persons´ capacity will be also constructed.

Speaking during the ceremony, Halil Guven said that within 5-10 years occupied Famagusta will become an important place in the world in the areas of science, culture and trade.

(M/L)

[07] Olli Rehn met with Mr Gul

"Turkey is aware of its deficiencies in the EU membership process. The most important things are the determination, the capacity of overcoming difficulties and showing everyone that we have that capacity," said Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul on Wednesday.

Gul held a joint news conference together with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn.

"Mr Rehn's visit coincided with the first anniversary of the opening of entry talks between Turkey and the EU. We have recorded important developments last year. Turkey has maintained the screening process successfully. We consider the negotiation process a transformation for Turkey. We also consider this process a period of modernization and a period of increasing our standards to the level of EU-member states," he said.

Gul went on saying: "Turkey has become a center of economic attraction since October 3rd, 2005. We will continue fulfilling our commitments. We expect the EU to contribute to our efforts in this process."

Upon a question about the Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), Gul said: "We have a long negotiation process ahead of us. We will increase all standards in Turkey."

When asked whether the resolution in France envisaging to punish those who deny the so-called Armenian genocide was against freedom of thought, Gul said: "During my meetings in France, I stressed that the resolution was nothing but a contradiction. I hope that the resolution will be rejected."

Upon another question about the proposal of Finland on the Cyprus issue, Gul told reporters: "If we succeed in resolving the Cyprus issue, it will be beneficial for everyone. Together with Greece and Cyprus as a whole, we can create an area of cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkish Cypriots have fulfilled their responsibilities to this end. We expect the same positive attitude from the other party. We told Finland which holds the rotating EU presidency, that if isolation of Turkish Cypriots was lifted, we could take some tangible steps. However, no one should expect Turkey to take unilateral steps as long as the isolation continued."

Speaking at the news conference, Rehn said that there was a difficult and long period ahead of Turkey. He said that both Gul and he was determined to this end, adding that Turkey and the EU would work together to find solution to several problems which would enable the parties to maintain the negotiation process.

Noting that he came to Ankara to mark the first anniversary of the opening of entry talks between Turkey and the EU, Rehn said that the Progress Report to be released in the coming weeks would include many developments and several deficiencies.

Rehn told reporters that they were aware of the current threat of terrorism, adding that terrorism jeopardized not only Turkey but the whole world.

He said that they appreciated the reform process in Turkey, noting that there were still many things to do.

Rehn stressed that his meetings in Ankara focused on freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

He highlighted the importance of Turkey's fulfilling its commitments stemming from the additional protocol extending the Customs Union deal to cover the whole EU-member countries during the presidency of Finland.

Referring to the Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), Rehn said some people in Turkey were tried because of their critical attitude. He said that those trials stemmed from indefinite expressions in the article.

Upon a question about the so-called Armenian genocide, Rehn said that recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide was not a pre-condition neither in Turkey's negotiation process nor in the full membership process. He highlighted importance of creating an appropriate atmosphere for discussions over the issue in order to provide an atmosphere of compromise between Turkish and Armenian societies.

[08] Turkish Deputy Prime Minister warns the EU over the Armenian genocide

Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener warned the EU and some other countries not to interfere in Turkish-Armenian relations.

Sener is in the Belgian capital of Brussels to participate in events organized by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and the European Policy Center to mark the first anniversary of the start of Turkey-EU negotiations.

In an exclusive interview with the A.A correspondent, Sener referred to French President Jacques Chirac's remarks about the Armenian genocide allegations, and said: "Chirac said that recognition of so-called Armenian genocide should be a pre-condition before Turkey's EU membership. A resolution is being discussed in France, and it foresees fine and imprisonment for those who deny Armenian genocide. It is not possible to accept such an attitude. This is against the cultural atmosphere the EU is trying to create."

"Armenia is not a European country, it is an Asian country. So, it is a third country for the EU. So, it is meaningless to bring this matter up within the scope of Turkey's EU membership process," he stated.

Sener added: "Whether it is an EU member or another country, everybody who is affecting the Armenian policy from outside should give up his endeavors. Chirac's remarks are not sincere, they aim to affect the domestic policy."

On the Cyprus problem, Sener said that the plan which was prepared by the EU Acting President Finland and envisions opening of Maras (occupied fenced area of Famagusta) and Magosa (occupied Famagusta) port, is being examined and assessed.

"Let's see Cyprus as a whole, let's review the ports issue together with the embargoes on `TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus)´. Let's make a positive progress in both of these matters. These are proposals made by Turkey. And, it is the Greek Cypriot administration who resists. If the EU gives up standing behind every demand of the Greek Cypriot administration, they may have to reach compromise and try to resolve the problem," he added.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the occupied areas of Cyprus contrary to the international law and maintained through the force of arms of 40,000 Turkish troops).

[09] Michael Leigh on the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people

The Director General of the EU Commission for enlargement Michael Leigh has said the European Union is sincere in its promises to lift the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot People.

Speaking at a panel discussion event in Brussels organized by the Society of Turkish Industrialists and Businessman, Mr Leigh reminded that the European Union had promised to lift the international isolation of North Cyprus after the Turkish Cypriot people had overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Annan Plan in 2004.

He said that in this context the EU had started implementing two of the three regulations prepared to support the Turkish Cypriot side; the Green Line Regulation and the Financial Assistance Regulation.

He said that Finland, the current EU term president was working on the Free Trade Regulation.

[10] Turkish politician is asking for the expulsion of the US Ambassador

Free Party leader Yasar Okuyan called on the government to declare the US Ambassador "persona non grata." In a written statement he issued, Okuyan charged that US Ambassador Wilson "is interfering in Turkey's internal affairs." Explaining that the ambassador actually insulted the President, the Turkish Armed Forces, and the opposition parties when he said that "there is no threat of religious fundamentalism in Turkey, it is only noise."

Yasar Okuyan wrote the following in his statement: "The Prime Minister went to the United States and met with President Bush. The promises made behind closed doors are of interest to everybody. It is understood, however, that the source of the US Ambassador's impudence in interfering in Turkey's domestic politics is the AKP government. The government should immediately declare the US Ambassador 'persona non grata' and expel him. Otherwise, it will be the Prime Minister and the AKP government that will be held responsible for this incident, which exceeds its limits and damages the honor of the Turkish nation."

[11] Turkish Parliamentarian warns France against Armenian bill

"If the French Socialist Party's draft law, on making a denial of the so-called Armenian genocide a crime in France, is adopted, this would harm Turkish-French relations," said Mehmet Dulger, a deputy from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission, in Paris today.

The Turkish parliamentary delegation held talks in Paris and lobbied against the draft law that makes denial of so-called Armenian genocide a crime in France.

In a press briefing at the Turkish Embassy in Paris, Dulger stressed that "French economic interests in Turkey will get (negatively) affected if the draft law is accepted."

Deputy leader of the Turkish Republican People's Party (CHP) Onur Oymen indicated that the draft law in the French Parliament is against the freedom of expression of ideas and the European Human Rights Treaty.

"No one can take away the right to freely express that Turkish ancestors did not kill Armenians," said Oymen.

The draft law will be voted on in the French parliament's general assembly on October 12th. The French Senate must also approve the draft law for it to go into effect. The draft law makes any denial of so-called Armenian genocide a crime to be punishable with one year's jail term or a fine of 45,000 Euro.

The Turkish delegation departed from Paris and is heading to Turkey.

[12] Turkey cancels EU environment commission visit over Greek Cypriot presence

Postponement of the European Parliament (EP) Environment Commission's scheduled visit to Turkey has become a discussion point.

Turkey, which felt uneasy about the presence of Greek Cypriot MEP [Member of European Parliament] Marios Matsakis in the Environment Commission, conveyed its concerns to the EP.

Since it could not receive a positive response from the EP, Turkey preferred cancellation of the visit.

EP Environment Commission Chairman Karl-Heinz Florenz criticized Turkey's attitude.

Earlier, Matsakis was criticized for his disrespectful acts such as stealing a Turkish flag. Matsakis also escalated tension during a meeting of the Turkey-EP Joint Parliamentary Commission by claiming that the only terrorist in Cyprus was the Turkish state. Turkey-EP Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-President Joost Lagendijk condemned Matsakis for his provocative attitude.

/SK

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