Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-11-20

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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 Cypriot side responded positively to Mr Gambaris letter.

[02] Letter from Talat to Barroso.

[03] Babacan links developments in the Cyprus problem to Turkeys EU accession negotiations.

[04] Mr Talat addressed the Turkish mayors who organized a seminar in occupied Cyprus.

[05] The illegal ambassador of Turkey in occupied Cyprus admitted that he had a strong argument with UBP over the Property Compensation Law.

[06] Soyer met the British High Commissioner before leaving for London.

[07] After Soyers visit to London Gary Robb to continue his constructions in occupied Cyprus. Labour from Thailand.

[08] Plans for a second golf course between occupied Ayia Irene and occupied Morfou face problems because of occupation army base.

[09] Turkish Cypriot CUMHURIYET accuses the government of issuing a decree by which it limits the constructions in occupied Kyrenia area.

[10] VOLKAN accuses the government of selling out Evkaf property.

[11] Veterans of the British Army, usurpers of Greek Cypriot properties, get help from the Episkopi Support Unit.

[12] Mr Devlet Bahceli was re-elected MHP leader.

[13] A delegation of the Amman municipality visited the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[14] Two municipalities in the occupied part of Cyprus tried to take a member status at the international organization CIOFF

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[15] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses Guls speech in occupied Cyprus as return to Rauf Denktas´ policies.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot side responded positively to Mr Gambari´s letter

Mr Talat sent a letter to the UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari yesterday to inform him that the proposals included in his letter were welcomed by the Turkish Cypriot Side.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot Side is still committed to the objective of bringing about a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem within the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General, Mr Talat underlined the need for an urgent solution to the problem.

He said that it is pleasing that Mr Gambari is proposing the resumption of the comprehensive negotiations in the first quarter of next year.

In a statement on the issue, Mr Talats Spokesman Hasan Ercakica said that in his letter, Mr Talat also voiced concern about the ambiguities in Mr Gambaris letter.

Mr Talat expressed concern that these ambiguities can be used by the Greek Cypriot Side to delay attempts towards moving forward the July-8 Agreement and the resumption of the comprehensive negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

But, Mr Talat made it clear that the Turkish Cypriot Side is ready to contribute positively and constructively to the process with the hope that a lasting solution will soon be found to the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Tassos Papadopoulos has announced that the Greek Cypriot Side also responded positively to Mr Gambaris letter, broadcast Bayrak.

Columnist Damla Ozhan of the local Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (19/11/06) under the title New Game comments on the new letter sent to the sides by the UN Under-Secretary for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari, in which he was proposing to the sides a new negotiation process for a solution.

She says that both sides have replied positively to this new proposal, the Turkish Cypriot side grabbed this as unique chance to save Turkey. In this way when the Cyprus problem is put before Turkey, Ankara will be able to say here it is, the negotiations continue.

As for President Papadopoulos positive reply, Mrs Damla Ozhan says: The reason is very simple. At this stage, Ankaras breaking of the negotiations or suspending of the talks with the EU is not in favour of Tassos Tassos prefers a more involved Turkey A Turkey that is convinced that membership is more tangible and it is not worth to take the risk and abandon the membership issue. Tassos prefers such a stage, thinking that he will be able to get more concessions out of Turkey. As the case is, it seems that we are once more on the verge of entering a new negotiation process

It seems that they will for a while keep us busy with the works of the technical committees, and then the Talat- Papadopoulos meeting process will start. At first the elections in Turkey will be out of the way, then next year the elections in the south will be pulled through

Then we will see together, the judgment that they will pronounce against us, according to the results of the calamities, which the USA had created and will create in the Middle East

(MHY)

[02] Letter from Talat to Barosso

"A mistake was made in the Cyprus part of the European Commission's Progress Report on Turkey (released on November 8th, 2006)," said President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in his letter to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Referring to the agreement on July 8th, Talat said: "The process was started after calls of the Turkish Cypriots for solution of daily problems, not after the meeting of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos."

"The report of the EU Commission gives the impression that the process was started after the Annan-Papadopoulos meeting which was held in February in Paris," he noted.

Recalling the numerous calls of Turkish Cypriots to establish a mechanism to discuss daily issues like health, environment and crimes between the two sides in the island, Talat said that such a process was finally proposed by UN with a letter on February 17th, 2006 by a letter sent to both sides.

"TRNC replied positively to this initiative on February 22nd. Thus, the whole process was started by the Turkish Cypriot side, not with the Annan-Papadopoulos meeting," added Talat.

Talat noted that such a mistake in an EU document is unacceptable and concerning.

[03] Babacan links developments in the Cyprus problem to Turkey´s EU accession negotiations

Turkish Minister of State- the Chief Negotiator with the EU Ali Babacan, has stated that the Cyprus issue is on top of the agenda of his country and that developments on the issue will determine the speed of Ankaras EU membership negotiations.

Mr Babacan was speaking at a panel organized by the sidelines of the 6th Congress of the World Turkish Businessmen.

The Minister of State stressed that there will not be any slow-down in his countrys EU membership process because of Turkeys insufficiencies or its failure to take the necessary steps on technical issues, adding that the speed of the process is dependent on the political atmosphere within the European Union.

[04] Mr Talat addressed the Turkish mayors who organized a seminar in occupied Cyprus

President Mehmet Ali Talat has pointed out that the Cyprus issue is going through a very critical and complicated phase.

The President emphasized that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved on the basis of `osmosis` and repeated the Turkish Cypriot Sides willingness for a solution based on the parameters of the United Nations.

Mr Talat was speaking at the opening ceremony of an educational seminar at Salamis Bay Conti Resort Hotel in Gazimagusa organized by the Konya Municipalities Union.

The 102nd municipality seminar organized by the Konya Municipalities Union is taking place in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for the first time.

The 4-day seminar is being attended by 168 Turkish mayors and municipality officials, as well as representatives from 28 municipalities in the TRNC.

Delivering an opening speech, the Mayor of Gazimagusa Oktay Kayalp pointed to the fact that the municipalities in the Republic are also being affected by the ongoing international isolation but said that the struggle towards getting rid of the isolation will continue with the guidance of President Mehmet Ali Talat.

In an address to the ceremony, President Mehmet Ali Talat referred to the Cyprus issue and stated that the Cyprus problem has always been the stage for critical periods, but said that the current phase is a very complicated one.

Pointing out that the Cyprus issue had become more complex with South Cyprus EU membership and Turkeys EU membership process; he said that the developments in Cyprus and Turkey started to affect each other.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot Administration of creating obstacles for Turkey in her EU membership process, he underlined the need to formulate right policies in this new phase.

As for the statements by the Greek Cypriot Administration that it is not against Turkeys EU membership, President Talat said the reason behind these statements is the fact that it is in the interests of the Greek Cypriot Side for Turkey to continue its EU process.

He underlined the fact that `osmosis`, which was voiced by the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos in an address to the United Nations, cannot be the basis for a solution to the Cyprus problem, as it makes it possible for the stronger side to dissolve the weak one slowly.

But this is the approach of the Greek Cypriot Side to the Cyprus problem` he added, stressing that the Turkish Cypriot Side favours a solution under the United Nations umbrella on the basis of a bi-zonal and bi-communal order and political equality of the two sides, which will also maintain Turkeys position as a guarantor power.

President Talat further stated that the EU cannot be a platform for a solution to the Cyprus problem because of the Greek Cypriot Sides membership to the Block under the title of the Republic of Cyprus.

However, Mr Talat said that both Turkey and the TRNC maintain their objective of becoming members of the EU.

On the opening of Turkish ports, the President stated that Turkey will not be the looser if it opens its ports to the Greek Cypriot Side but that such a move will affect the TRNC negatively.

Referring to the Finnish proposal on Cyprus, the President said that the EU term-president- has given a start to a wrong process as it doesnt know the nature of the Cyprus problem well.

Mr Talat repeated the Turkish Cypriot Sides readiness to start comprehensive negotiations under the aegis of the United Nations, adding that the UN has taken a step forward with the letter from the UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari which offers a procedure for the restart of negotiations.

[05] The illegal ambassador of Turkey in occupied Cyprus admitted that he had a strong argument with UBP over the Property Compensation Law

Mr Karahan noted that during his term of duty in the occupied areas he met with the political parties only for the Property Compensation Law and added that this issue closely concerns Turkey as well. Mr Karahan stated for the first time that they could not agree then with the National Unity Party (UBP) on the issue of the above-mentioned law and therefore tension was created.

He said: I saw understanding from the then coalition partners, the Republican Turkish Party and the Democratic Party. However, we could not come to an agreement with the UBP. We had some disputes, we might have saddened each other and some words I used that period might have been hurtful.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (20.11.06) reports that Mr Karahan, who is preparing for his retirement at the end of November, said that he did not interfere in the internal politics of the occupied areas of Cyprus and added that some officials might have gone to Turkey and held certain consultations.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Soyer met the British High Commissioner before leaving for London

[07] After Soyers visit to London Gary Robb to continue his constructions in occupied Cyprus. Labour from Thailand

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Interior Minister Ozkan Murat met customers of the troubled Aga Development Construction in London on Thursday, (16 November 2006) at the end of a week that saw company founder Gary Robb formally cleared of money-laundering allegations.

Aga buyers attending the hour-and-a-half-long talks at the TRNC´s London representative office said they had been told there was now no reason why work on Aga projects, including the massive Amaranta Valley development at Arapkoy (occupied Klepini), should not begin tomorrow.

Attorney-General Akin Sait confirmed to CYPRUS TODAY the money-laundering investigation against Mr Robb had been dropped due to lack of evidence. Mr Sait confirmed that Mr Robb still faced allegations of illegally built properties and presenting forged documents to the military, but these did not present an obstacle to his construction activities.

Buyers also reported ministers as telling the London meeting it was difficult for the TRNC government to reinstate Mr Robb´s citizenship because of pressure for his extradition by Britain, where he is wanted on drugs allegations. However, once work on the homes was completed his request for return of his citizenship would be considered favourably.

Of 500,000 frozen in Aga accounts until now, 200,000 has been released to Mr Robb to complete some of the firm´s development work. However, the amount represents just a fraction of the total estimated to be required to finish the Amaranta estate put earlier this year at up to 9 million by a leading TRNC contractor, and by a source close to Mr Robb at between ¤ 4.5 and ¤ 6 million.

And buyers were told at the meeting that the government was not aware of any Aga money other than the 500,000, and 1.5 million frozen in the UK after a money-laundering probe was instigated there. Mr Robb and his lawyers had been given all relevant documents to apply for the release of the ¤ 1.5 million.

Mr Sait commented: If he can bring money from abroad, he is free to [do so], however, he must indicate a legitimate source for the amount that he brings .

Meanwhile, 300,000 of the Aga funds in the TRNC has been blocked by the government pending agreement over Aga´s Hazreti Omer site at Catalkoy (occupied Ayios Epiktitos), which had been built on state-owned land, the meeting heard.

The land was to be sold at a knock-down price to Mr Robb, Mr Soyer was reported as saying.

In another concession to Mr Robb, the meeting was told that the government had cleared the way for him to bring cheap labour from Thailand to work on the Aga sites.

But workers´ leaders yesterday dismissed the suggestion, saying that under TRNC law any Thai labourers would have to be paid the going rate for the construction sector.

Chairman of the Dev-Is trade unions federation Mehmet Seyis said no matter where workers came from, a minimum wage of 850 YTL had to be paid for a month of eight-hour days. Anyone bringing workers into the country had to demonstrate that there was a need for them, and had to provide them with good accommodation and a safe working environment.

Labour Ministry undersecretary Aziz Gurpinar said no application to bring labour from Thailand had been received from Mr Robb, but if one were made it would be considered because there was a need for foreign construction workers. But he added: According to the laws of TRNC, no worker can be paid less than the minimum wage.

[08] Plans for a second golf course between occupied Ayia Irini and occupied Morfou face problems because of occupation army base

Ambitious plans are being drawn up for North Cyprus´ s second 18-hole golf course, CYPRUS TODAY can exclusively reveal.

The course is being designed to United States Golf Association (USGA) standards and will include four par-threes, four par-fives and 10 par-fours.

Each hole will have five different teeing off points to cater for golfers of varying ability.

A 350-metre driving range is to be circled by three training holes of three, four and five pars.

Architect Bob Sandow said land between Akdeniz (occupied Ayia Irini) and Guzelyurt (occupied Morfou) had been earmarked for the course, but now problems had emerged about its proximity to an army base. Financiers, as yet unnamed, are currently holding crunch discussions on whether to secure another spot for the course, he added. Mr Sandow 85, who is also working on four other golf course projects around the world, said he wanted this design to be his swan song, having created 150 golf courses in locations such as America, the Gambia, Tunisia and the Seychelles.

He said: We are all set to go ahead with the project but, unfortunately, the location is now in contention because of problems from the army.

But we hope this uncertainty will be cleared up in the next few days.

He added: The course will be built to international championship standards with full USGA specifications, which are the best in the world.

It will also be the type of course allowing for at least five different links of golf course to be played at one time, according to the players standard.

The first and 10th tees, and ninth and 18th greens will be adjacent to the clubhouse.

The course will be floodlit so golfers can play at night, according to the plans.

[09] Turkish Cypriot CUMHURIYET accuses the government of issuing a decree by which it limits the constructions in occupied Kyrenia area

The paper reports that the decree on the one hand, states that any kind of development can be made in the above mentioned areas (article 5.1) and on the other, in another article it de facto prevents the development by limiting it to only a residence per plot of land or to a shop the total area of which will not exceed 150 square meters.

(I/Ts.)

[10] VOLKAN accuses the government of selling out Evkaf property

The paper publishes the names of the property which will be sold. According to VOLKAN, the property which will be sold under the name of exchange, is at the occupied villages of Knodara (property that belongs to the mosque of the village), Kazafani, Chartzia (14 miles east of Kyrenia), Agyrta, Lapithos (at the neighbourhood named Kocatepe by the Turks), Bellapais and Kyrenia.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Veterans of the British Army, usurpers of Greek Cypriot properties, get help from the Episkopi Support Unit

Further to the article in a recent edition of CYPRUS TODAY concerning the help available to British Army veterans living in the TRNC, I would like to tell your readers that such help also extends to Royal Navy and Royal Airforce veterans and their immediate dependants.

All ex-Service people are eligible to request help when they encounter difficulties and this is usually done by contacting the Soldiers´, Sailors´ and Airmen´s Families Association (Ssafa).

On this island the main point of contact is through their office in Episkopi. They will pass on requests from those living in the North to a small team of volunteers who have been quietly helping those living in the TRNC for a number of years now.

The Royal Naval Benevolent Fund, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund all work through Ssafa Forces Help case workers. They rely on them to investigate any cases of need that are brought to their attention so that ex-Service people may be helped in the most appropriate way.

Around the time of Remembrance, ex-Service men and women perhaps come to our attention more than usual. It is very important they should know that they are not forgotten and help is available when needed.

Should you know of someone in difficulty, the contact details for Ssafa Forces Help are:

Branch Secretary Ssafa

Forces Help Office, Episkopi

Support Unit, BFPO 53

Tel: (+357) 25 963647

E-mail:ssafa@cytanet.com.cy

A Lloyd

Karsiyaka (occupied Vasilia)

[12] Mr Devlet Bahceli was re-elected MHP leader

Bahceli was re-elected with 1127 votes against 12 votes.

[13] A delegation of the Amman municipality visited the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Mr Amjad Mualla, member of the Amman municipality in Jordan, said during the visit that their aim is to have closer relationships with the occupied municipality of Lefkosia. He also invited Mr Bulutoglulari in Amman on behalf of Amman Mayor. Mr Bulutoglulari accepted the invitation and added that he wants also to host the Amman Mayor next summer.

[14] Two municipalities in the occupied part of Cyprus tried to take a member status at the international organization CIOFF

According to the paper, the issue of the membership of the two occupied municipalities in the CIOFF came in the agenda. It was decided that the objections of the Greek Cypriot side regarding the status of candidate member of the two occupied municipalities will be discussed.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSISB

[15] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses Guls speech in occupied Cyprus as return to Rauf Denktas´ policies

The 23rd anniversary of the foundation of the KKTC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] was celebrated yesterday. Speaking at the celebration ceremony, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul issued "clear and sharp" messages. He said that the Turkish side will not succumb to blackmail and that the European Union (EU) is increasingly losing credibility and prestige. Prime Minister Erdogan has also been criticizing the EU's policy on the Cyprus issue for some time, too.

Two separate issues

Looking at Erdogan and Gul's remarks yesterday, one wonders whether the Government is changing its policy on Cyprus and the EU. Gul said in his speech in the KKTC that Turkey's EU accession process and the Cyprus issue are two separate processes. He emphasized that it is wrong to link the two issues. He maintained emphatically that Cyprus should not be used against Turkey's bid for EU membership, that those insisting on doing so have taken a turn into a blind alley, and that blackmail will not get Turkey to change its policy.

Is the policy changing?

This approach appears to be close to the previous stance that was changed by the ruling AKP [Justice and Development Party]. Earlier governments also maintained that it is wrong to establish a connection between the EU and the Cyprus processes. It used to be emphasized by previous governments that putting forward Cyprus as a prerequisite for Turkey's progress toward EU membership was unacceptable. This policy was supported by the then President of KKTC, Rauf Denktas, too. The AKP treated it as a policy that "has been implemented to no avail for 40 years" and changed it. Erdogan and Gul put their weight behind the Annan plan against Denktas, in this way admitting the link between the EU process and the Cyprus issue. The ensuing developments justified this policy. The EU gave Turkey a date for the start of negotiations after the Turkish side voted to accept the Annan Plan. If the Turkish side had rejected the plan, it would not have been possible to get the date for talks. The EU agreed to start negotiations on 3 October 2005 on the precondition linked to Cyprus once again that the ports should be opened. Now it is trying to link the continuation of the talks to Turkey's opening of its maritime ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes. The ruling AKP has so far been able to take steps toward EU membership by fulfilling these conditions. However, Erdogan and Gul want the EU-Cyprus link severed today. What are the reasons for this change? The factors that come to mind are the decreasing support for the EU, the approaching elections in Turkey, the EU's failure to honor its promises in Cyprus, and the Turkish public's increasingly strong outcries. It is interesting how the Government, which has so far linked its EU policy to Cyprus, has come to treat this link as a "blind alley."

Permanent solution

Let us recall Denktas' permanent solution formula: Two peoples, two democracies, two states: establishing a new Cyprus Republic based on an umbrella state consisting of two states. The lifting of the isolation of the KKTC and the opening of the ports in return do not mean much from the standpoint of a final settlement formula. There is nothing in the EU's approach including Finland's proposals that is close to this formula. As for the Greek Cypriots, their position is not even remotely close. Under the circumstances, the Government should insist on its newly developed stance, which puts the emphasis on the "separation of the processes." Gul's new approach is appropriate.

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