Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-11-17

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Letter from Gambari to Talat and President Papadopoulos on the 8 July agreement.

[02] Soyer met with Geoff Hoon.

[03] Talat Met with Kamal Momani - the Head of the Arab Affairs of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

[04] Babacan held contracts in Denmark. He accuses the EU of not keeping its promises to the Turkish Cypriots.

[05] Debate for the 2007 budget bill of the occupation regime.

[06] The European Commissions adviser in Washington on the implementation of the Ankara Agreement.

[07] Crisis in relations between Russia and Turkey denied.

[08] The German Alex Springer media organization buys the 25% share of the Turkish Dogan TV.

[09] VATAN: A new project is financed by the USA: REAP.

[10] The Ethiopian and the Mongolian Ambassadors in Turkey attend the reception for the illegal regimes independence declaration.

[11] What Mr Talat thinks about the Greek Cypriot refugees and the Turkish occupation army?

[12] First Turk on space in 2012.

[13] After Formula one Film Festivals to promote the TRNC and Talat.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Columnist in AFRIKA comments on Guls and Talats speeches before the Turkish occupation army parade in occupied Nicosia.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Letter from Gambari to Talat and President Papadopoulos on the 8 July agreement

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (17.11.06), under the title A proposal of three stages for a solution by the UN, refers to the letter sent to the two leaders by Mr Gambari. Before the start of the three stages, Mr Gambari calls for the launching of the work of the technical committees and the working groups and wants the two leaders to meet seven days after this. During the first stage the lists on the issues of substance, which had been exchanged between the sides, will be unified and the plan of the working groups will be prepared. The technical committees will examine issues concerning everyday life. According to the suggestions of Mr Gambari, during the second stage the two leaders will be meeting at least once a month and in January they will come together with the representative of the UN Secretary-General. In case the sides are ready, the negotiations will be launched officially during the third stage, according to Mr Gambari.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN, newspaper (17.11.06) under the title A letter came from Gambari, refers to the letter sent to the two leaders by Mr Gambari.

(I/Ts)

[02] Soyer met with Geoff Hoon

Mr Soyer said that the Turkish Cypriot people, which is committed to the EU principles, is a side in the Cyprus problem and added that a solution to the Cyprus problem will bring peace and stability not only between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots, but in the relations between Turkey and Greece and the Mediterranean Sea. The meeting lasted for one hour and 15 minutes. Soyer said it was very useful.

Commenting on the same issue, Serhat Incirli - columnist in Turkish Cypriot AFRIKA newspaper (17.11.06) writes that the British Minister for Europe, Mr Geoff Hoon, met with Mr Soyer in the House of Common and not at his office in the Ministry. The meaning in this is that at the House of Common, Mr Hoon has meetings with the people, but in the Ministry he has only official meetings.

In addition illegal BAYRAK television (16.11.06) broadcast that Mr Soyer held a press conference at the Turkish Cypriot Centre for Society in London, following the meeting with Geoff Hoon which took place a the British Parliament.

Mr Soyer said that he had explained to Mr Hoon that the Turkish Cypriot people strongly supported a solution based on EU principles and within the framework of the United Nations. The Prime Minister said that a solution under the UN umbrella will not only benefit Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots on the island but will also contribute greatly to efforts in achieving regional stability and peace.

Mr. Soyer added that a reunified Cyprus will have a positive impact on Turkeys EU accession process and Turkish-Greek relations.

Mr Soyer also said that he had conveyed his view to the British Minister that the removal of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people will be the best method of persuasion in bringing back the Greek Cypriot Side to the negotiating table and to restart talks aimed at finding a comprehensive, lasting and federal solution to the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the two sides.

Saying that the Turkish Cypriot people was faced with great injustices and discrimination despite being supportive of efforts towards finding a solution in Cyprus, Mr. Soyer added that this was against the values and principles adopted by the European Union and the rest of the democratic west.

Reminding that two of the six seats occupied by Greek Cypriots in the European Parliament belonged to Turkish Cypriots, he said that these seats, in violation and contradiction of the EUs democratic norms and principles, had been filled by Greek Cypriots without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot population.

Mr Soyer is being accompanied in London by the self-styled minister of interior Ozkan Murat.

In addition Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.11.06) reports from London that Mr Soyer after meeting Turkish Cypriots living in British capital of London stated:

"The best and most rationalistic way to solve the problem (opening Turkish ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes) is to lift the restrictions simultaneously and mutually". Mr Soyer indicated: "Our main target is to create a peaceful atmosphere in which we can live humanly."

Soyer said that the Greek Cypriots are using the EU as a threat against Turkey and trying to make the Turks a minority in Cyprus; warning the world that it has to find a solution to this (Cyprus) problem.

"Turkey has committed to open its ports and airports to the use of Greek Cypriots under the Customs Union and Ankara Agreement. This is a legal commitment. On the other hand, the EU has a political commitment to end the isolation (of TRNC)," he stated.

Soyer said, "What is important is to end all restrictions, launch free trade and direct flights (with TRNC)", reiterating that they are ready to discuss the Cyprus question.

[03] Talat Met with Kamal Momani - the Head of the Arab Affairs of the Organization of the Islamic Conference

The Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev was also present at the meeting.

[04] Babacan held contracts in Denmark. He accuses the EU of not keeping its promises to the Turkish Cypriots

Mr. Babacan is in Denmark as part of a tour of EU member countries to gather support to his countrys EU membership process.

Speaking at a meeting organized jointly by Politiken newspaper and the European Movement in Denmark, Mr Babacan pointed out that the Cyprus problem is an important international political dispute.

Saying that it was Turkey which had repeatedly asked the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to launch an initiative on the Cyprus problem he said that the Annan Plan was prepared as a result of Ankaras initiatives and efforts.

Referring to the process before the 2004 Referendum in Cyprus, he stated that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people gave their full backing to the UN blue print and said that south Cyprus was unilaterally admitted to the European Union in spite of its rejection of the peace plan.

On the same issue Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.11.06) reported the following from Copenhagen: Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan, who is currently in Danish capital of Copenhagen, attended a meeting held by Politiken daily and an NGO named "European Movement".

Babacan, who informed attendees on Turkey's EU accession process and the reforms accomplished in the country, said: "Turkey's EU accession will re-define the EU and change the world's perspective regarding the union."

Replying to questions on the developments in Turkey and especially on the Cyprus issue, Babacan stressed that Annan's Cyprus plan came out as a result of Turkey's initiatives.

Stating that Turkey and Turkish Cypriots fully supported the plan, Babacan indicated: "Turkish Cypriots said 'yes' to the plan (in twin referendums held in the island on April 24th, 2004). Although Greek Cypriot administration rejected the plan, it joined the EU. This was not fair."

Noting that EU continuously brought up Turkey's obligations regarding Cyprus, he said: "But EU is also under moral obligation of lifting isolations imposed on TRNC."

Furthermore, Turkish MIILIYET newspaper (17.11.06) reports that Ali Babacan, the Turkish Minister of State and Chief Negotiator of Turkey with the EU, speaking to a meeting organized by Danish businessmen in Copenhagen, referred to the social and economic reforms that are taking place in Turkey and stressed that Turkeys EU membership is not something guaranteed. Ali Babacans visit to Denmark was within the framework of his visit to five European capitals.

[05] Debate for the 2007 budget bill of the occupation regime

The Economy, Finance, Budget and Planning Committee of the TRNC Parliament today started debating the draft 2007 Fiscal Year State Budget bill.

The Committee is expected to complete its budgetary discussions at the end of this month. The draft State Budget for the fiscal year 2007 envisages government revenues of nearly two-billion New Turkish Liras, 72% of which will come from local revenues and the remaining 27.95% which will come in the form of financial credits and contributions from Turkey.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (17.11.06) reports that addressing the economy, finance and budget committee of the self-styled assembly during the discussions regarding the budget for 2007, Ahmet Uzun, self-styled minister of finance, said yesterday that the growth of the economy is expected to be 7,8 % for 2006. The aim for 2007 is 7 %, he noted and added that the annual per capita national income was 8,095 dollars in 2004, 10,567 in 2005 and it is estimated to increase to 11,802 dollars in 2006. The aim for 2007 is further increased to 12,367 dollars, he said. According to the paper, Mr Uzun said that the expectation that the TRNC will be late in taking its place in the EU opened the way for the increase of the investments and the development of the economy. He noted that the increase of the investments and the opening of the barricades caused the decrease of unemployment which was one of the important problems of the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts)

[06] The European Commissions adviser in Washington on the implementation of the Ankara Agreement

Jonathan Davidson, the European Commissions adviser in Washington has warned that Turkey will feel the results of its failure to extend the application of the Ankara Agreement to include South Cyprus if diplomatic efforts by Finland do not yield positive results at the right time.

The Senior Advisor for Political and Academic Affairs at the European Commission Delegation in Washington was speaking at a gathering at the Washington Institute.

In his address of the gathering, Mr Davidson made an evaluation of the latest stage reached in the relations between Brussels and Ankara, and said that the Commission will make a recommendation on Turkey unless the sea and airports issue is resolved before next months EU summit.

Noting that the European Union is hopeful diplomatic efforts by Finland will be successful, the EU official said Turkey will feel the results of such a failure.

He said that any punitive action on Turkey could be related to the whole Customs Union Agreement, or the implementation of some of its parts.

[07] Crisis in relations between Russia and Turkey denied

According to the report, Moscow wanted to send an observer to the meeting, citing its participation in OIC summits as a situation justifying this demand, but Ankara rejected this request on the grounds that the summit in question cannot be compared to OIC meetings, whereupon Russia accused Turkey of "trying to infiltrate into Central Asia."

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.11.06) reports the following from Ankara:

"Claims (included in a news report) which said that there is tension in relations between Turkey and Russia are wrong," said Namik Tan, spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Replying to a question, Tan said that there was a news report in a today's daily which claimed that the Russian Federation wanted to participate as observer in the summit of heads of state of Turkish-Speaking Countries to be held in the southern city of Antalya and Russia's demand was rejected by Turkey, creating tension in Turkish-Russian relations.

Tan underlined: "This news report is totally wrong. Turkish-Russian relations have been improving in several areas."

[08] The German Alex Springer media organization buys the 25% share of the Turkish Dogan TV

The agreement was signed yesterday in Berlin between Mathias Dopfner on behalf of Alex Springer and Mehmet Ali Yalcindag, Chairman of the Administrative Committee of DYH.

The Dogan Yay1n Holding is descripted as the media leader organization of Turkey with activities in the area of newspaper, magazine and book publishing, distrubition, television, radio, press and internet. Apart from the Dogan TV, the DYH owns the Turkish Kanal D, Star TV and CNN Turk TV channels. It employs 7.063 people and holds the 42% market share of the advertising field in Turkey.

(M/L)

[09] VATAN: A new project is financed by the USA: REAP

The pilot project was applied in nine places, most of which are hotels. The basic artery of the project, which includes a twoyear transitional period, is ESCO (Energy Services Companies). ESCO, which has taken a certificate from the Union of Energy Engineers, an international organization having its headquarters in the US, established its branch in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

The project is a part of CyPEG (Partnership Project for the Economic Development of Cyprus), which is financed by the USAID. Coordinator of REAP is Ozgur Yel and the experts taking part in it are Dr. Ugur Atikol, deputy chairman of the Energy Center of illegal Eastern Mediterranean University, Osman Eminel, member of the administrative council of the Chamber of Electrical Engineers and Selen Mesutoglu.

(I/Ts.)

[10] The Ethiopian and the Mongolian Ambassadors in Turkey attend the reception for the illegal regimes independence declaration

According to the paper, the two Ambassadors have participated in the reception upon an invitation of the TRNC envoy in Ankara, Tamer Gazioglu.

The Mongolian Ambassador called for lifting of the isolation on the TRNC and stated that the Mongolian government believes that it is necessary for the Cyprus problem to be solved in the UN. On his part, the Ethiopian Ambassador said: My presence by participating in the reception is not only related with the close friendship (with Tamer Gazioglu). The solution of the Cyprus problem is a condition.

(M/L)

[11] What Mr Talat thinks about the Greek Cypriot refugees and the Turkish occupation army

Following are his replies to questions about the Greek Cypriots who were forced to abandon their homes to escape the Turkish armys atrocities and live in temporary houses ever since and about the withdrawal of the occupation army so that the Greek Cypriot refugees may return to their homes and properties and have their fundamental rights restored:

Euronews: What is you perspective? Can the Greek Cypriot refugees go back to their homes?

Mehmet Ali Talat: Refugees, you said refugees But, I mean, after thirty-and-more years most of them are rehabilitated and living elsewhere. And they are not refugees any more. But you are right, there are dislocated people, actually, and some of them, and really a considerable number of them will find that opportunity to come back,

Euronews: Why not send back the Turkish soldiers occupying this territory here. Are you not feeling safe here?

Mehmet Ali Talat: Just imagine: Cyprus being in the European Union, while Turkey is out of the European Union. Turkish Cypriots will not feel secure in such an environment. I am speaking about Greek Cypriots´ hostile stands. Even now, they are trying to strangulate the Turkish Cypriots in every aspect of life.

So, with this hostility, we are definitely afraid, particularly of the Greek Cypriot military.

[12] First Turk on space in 2012

Alexander Fomin, the chairman of the Russian-Turkish Military Technical Cooperation Commission stated that the last stage has come in the cosmonaut training .

Russia has made a surprising statement yesterday, while the negotiations regarding sending the first Turkish cosmonaut to space are continuing with the USA. Alexander Fomin the chairman of the Russian-Turkish Military Technical Cooperation Commission, coming to attend the fifth meeting of the commission said that the last stage has come in Turkish cosmonaut training. He emphasized that they have not reached the stage of signing a contract and added: "We plan to send the first Turkish cosmonaut to the space five years later, in 2012. Now, we are negotiating this at the table. You know we conduct space programs with the USA and other countries."

[13] After Formula one Film Festivals to promote the TRNC and Talat

Meanwhile, the paper reported that the producer of the movie was the Turkish Cypriot Dervis Zaim. The movie would be shown in different festivals and it would be underlining the fact that the sponsor was Mr Talat, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the occupation regime the Turkish Republic has set up in the territories of Cyprus under the occupation of 40,000 Turkish troops).

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Columnist in AFRIKA comments on Gul´s and Talat´s speeches before the Turkish occupation army parade in occupied Nicosia

What did (Mehmet Ali) Talat say?

`We are a people here which governs itself for 450 years´.

These words caused great astonishment to many. Those who know and learn from life that never was the right to rule ourselves on these lands was given to us, looked at each other with surprise.

While Mr Ferdi (Sabit Soyer) snatched the 450 years Talat put forth! And made use of these years in a speech he made for the 23rd year of the`TRNC´. Only with a small change this will be counted as a nuance!

Mr Ferdi made a small reduction for history. He dropped the 450 years to 400. He claimed that we had 400 years old historic roots: who knows, those who do not accept 450 now could accept the 400 after this reduction.

He will explain our 400-years long roots to the Londoners as well.

Will he explain how these roots are left to die in Cyprus or will he explain how these roots who were uprooted from Cyprus are trying to survive in London, Sydney Canada or elsewhere with difficulty? Or will he shout that he will make the `TRNC´ to last forever with the lights of the flag on the Pendadaktylos range?

Ferdi Soyer took his `under-secretary´ Dogan Sahali and private Secretary to his office Erkut Sahali as well as, Interior Minister Ozkan Murat to London. This visit will last until 21 November, not more than 7 days..

Yesterday a woman reader of mine called me and with an angry tone she complained `As the case is, let them give a week holiday to the staff at the `Prime Ministers office. The `Prime Minister´ left, his under-Secretary and his private secretary went. Who is left back? Was this family visit so necessary? Is it possible that Ahmet Uzun has surplus in the budget and he is looking where to spend the money?´

We have celebrated the 23rd Anniversary of `TRNC´ with in complete militarist manner that turned into a show of force.

The officers sworn in that they will make the `TRNC´ to live forever!.

Until now they were telling you that peace in the island was secured since July 1974. Weren´t they? Now they are telling just the opposite! Abdullah Gul, in his speech made during the ceremony, confessed this lie.

As a token of appreciation, it is my debt to present this confession to those who used to tell us for years, that on 20 July, 1974 peace came to this island´.

Here it is what Gul said:

`If everybody works 10 hours we will work 20 hours. If everybody sleeps 10 hours we will sleep 5 hours. Do not forget peace is yet to be secured! I wonder.

Is there, after this confession, any people in Cyprus who could claim peace was secured in Cyprus on 20 July, 1974?

(MHY)

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