Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-02-01

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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 2007 2nd Kerynia Region Comprehensive Decree is enforced as of 31 January 2007

[02] British company invites Turkish Cypriot real estate companies in fairs organized in London. Struggle to continue for recognition of TRNC

[03] Attack by unknown persons against cartoonist Huseyin Cakmak

[04] Talat meets with delegations from the UBP and DP; Departs for Istanbul

[05] Turkish Cypriot MPs insistently demanded representation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP

[06] New assaults by Soyer against President Papadopoulos and threats regarding the oil resources

[07] The Syrian Foreign Minister on the agreements signed by Cyprus and neighbouring countries on oil and gas exploration

[08] Bagis: Turkey will not remain indifferent to Cyprus oil exportation

[09] The regime to establish a working committee which will take up the problems of the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Pyla

[10] Iranian arrested in Kerynia for possessing 1.5 kilos of narcotics

[11] Difficulties in determining the new minimum wage in the occupied areas

[12] The final results of the population census will be announced today

[13] Armenian genocide resolution to the House of Representatives. Written statement by Ross Wilson

[14] Erdogan to sign Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway project

[15] Turkeys State Minister to the Libyan Housing and Infrastructure Minister: We want to undertake all your projects

[16] Reports about hot pursuit into the Northern Iraq. Former Turkish Ambassador calls for Turkish invasion as in Cyprus

[17] Turkey sent war ships to Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The 2007 2nd Kerynia Region Comprehensive Decree is enforced as of 31 January 2007

The decree regulates the building development boundaries of Kerynia and the villages Vasilia, Lapithos, Karavas, Paleosofos, Motides, Elia, Fterycha, Agios Georgios, Trimithi, Karmi, Templos, Thermia, Karakoumi, Kazafani, Bellabais, Agios Epiktitos, Klepini, Trapeza, Charzia, Agios Amvrosios and Kalogrea as well as the rules and regulations to be applied within these borders.

(I/Ts.)

[02] British company invites Turkish Cypriot real estate companies in fairs organized in London. Struggle to continue for recognition of TRNC

The chairman of the company, Ali Safa noted that they succeeded a victory after a three-year struggle and added: We will experience the real happiness when the embargoes applied on the recognition of the TRNC are lifted and we will continue the struggle.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Attack by unknown persons against cartoonist Huseyin Cakmak

The perpetrators used a vehicle with the registration number DY081 during the attack. They followed Cakmak and threw against him stones and eggs. Responding to a demand by the paper for disclosing the name of the owner of the car, the police said that they could not reveal it for the time being.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Talat meets with delegations from the UBP and DP; Departs for Istanbul

In statements regarding the meeting with Talat, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, chairman of the UBP, said that the information they acquired from Mr Talat showed that there is no new situation which requires the evaluation of the Cyprus problem and the taking of any decisions on the issue. Mr Ertugruloglu said that no one should ignore that there is a shame of democracy in the country and that the UBP does not participate in the work of the assembly.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (31.01.07) broadcast that Mr Talat is going to Istanbul today as guest of the Marmara Group.

During his stay in Istanbul, he will attend a meeting of the Academic Council of the Marmara Group Foundation and give a lecture. Mr Talat will return to the occupied areas of the island on Saturday.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish Cypriot MPs insistently demanded representation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP

The two MPs told ABHaber in Brussels that while on the one hand a reference to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is made, on the other it is said that this is due to the occupation of the northern part of the Island. Nami and Tacoy described this as unacceptable. During their contacts in Brussels they insistently demanded representation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP.

(I/Ts.)

[06] New assaults by Soyer against President Papadopoulos and threats regarding the oil resources

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that the approach adopted by the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopulos towards the oil reserves believed to exist in seas surrounding the island is the continuation of his domineering attitude.

He said that the Greek Cypriot Administrations approach on the issue is a new attempt towards preventing a solution on the island.

Speaking at a program on BRT last night, the Premier said that Mr Papadopulos has been playing a very dangerous game with the aim of spreading his domineering attitude to the whole island.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot leader does not want to bring a solution to the Cyprus problem, Prime Minister Soyer said that Mr Papadopulos has been using the issue of oil as a tool to prevent the solution of the problem.

Mr Soyer said the reason behind the crisis on the issue is the continuation of the Cyprus problem, warning that every single problem to be faced in future will turn into a crisis if a lasting solution - acceptable for both sides on the island - is not found to the problem.

He accused the Greek Cypriot Leader of using the advantages of being seen as the sole `legal government` of the island to impose its own decisions on the Turkish Cypriot people, the countries in the region and the sides concerned to the Cyprus problem with the aim of annihilating the Turkish Cypriot people through osmosis.

The Premier said the only way out of the current situation is to create a United Cyprus and to form a partnership for the use of all natural resources of the island, but he complained that the Greek Cypriot Leader has been rejecting to share power with the Turkish Cypriot People in order to continue to benefit the advantages of being seen as the sole authority of the island.

Referring to the recent meeting between his Republican Turkish Party and the Greek Cypriot AKEL party, Mr Soyer expressed his partys readiness to continue dialogue with the Greek Cypriot Side with the aim of contributing to the efforts aimed at bringing a solution to the Cyprus problem.

But, Mr Soyer said he was disappointed by the AKEL leader Dimitris Hristofias recent statement about the opening of a gate at Lokmaci, which he said, was contrary to the joint position adopted by the two parties during the meeting on the issue.

However, he underlined the need for the two parties to continue to work on the basis created during the meeting.

Mr Soyer also announced that a delegation from his party will meet with officials from the Greek Cypriot DISY party next week.

Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said the demilitarization of the island could be possible only after a solution on the island and reminded that it was the Greek Cypriot Side which rejected the Annan Plan during the 2004 Referenda thus rejecting the demilitarization of Cyprus.

Mr Soyer also called on the Greek Cypriot Administration to agree to start negotiations on deconfrontation measures proposed by President Mehmet Ali Talat in July 2006.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (01.02.07), under the banner front-page title The oil war became fierce, reports that Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled Prime Minister of the breakaway regime, warned President Papadopoulos because of his stance on the issue of the oil reserves in the sea around the Island, which are estimated to be 400 billion dollars.

The paper reports that in statements to illegal Bayrak, Mr Soyer alleged that the attitude of President Papadopoulos could lead to chaos and that his aim is to expand his dominance over the whole island and, if he could not succeed in this, to preserve the current situation.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (01.02.07) refers to the issue using as title the words of Soyer who described President Papadopoulos as inexperienced magician who calls all the evil spirits here.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (01.02.07) refers also to the issue under the banner front page title He calls all the evil spirits here and notes that Soyer alleged that President Papadopoulos extends the issue of oil like a candied apple to France, China and Russia in order to strengthen his position.

[07] The Syrian Foreign Minister on the agreements signed by Cyprus and neighbouring countries on oil and gas exploration

Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure for his country, Mualem noted that these three countries were important neighbors of Iraq.

Mualem indicated that "what is happening in Iraq directly interested Syria, Turkey and Iran".

In his reply to a question on Syria's expectations from Ankara concerning improvement of relations between Syria and Israel, Mualem stressed that Syria's policy was based on the returning of Goran region which was under occupation since 1967.

Mualem said that "they would appreciate every attempt in the direction of saving their territory" on this issue.

Stressing that there was a weak government in Israel at the moment, acting in accordance with the directions it received from other capitals, Mualem said, "USA did not have a policy that highlighted peace currently".

Replying to a question on the Greek Cypriot efforts to make bilateral agreements in the eastern Mediterranean, Mualem noted that Syria did not have such an issue on the agenda, besides it was attached to UN regulations.

On the other hand, diplomatic sources said that executives of the two countries exchanged views and information during Mualem's visit to Turkey.

There is a consensus of opinion between Turkey and Syria on Iraq issue, sources stressed.

We have discussed settlement of security and stability in Iraq, stopping Arabian-Israeli clashes and the blood shed in Palestine as well as Turkey-Syria relations, said Foreign Minister Walid Mualem of Syria who spoke to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure for his country on Wednesday.

Noting that he had an important meeting with Turkish FM Abdullah Gul, Mualem said that this was one of the consultative meetings which have been pursued under the leaderships of the two countries.

Upon a question, Mualem said that main axis of the message he brought from Damascus to Ankara is Iraq, adding that they underlined the territorial integrity of Iraq, Iraqi people's unity, sovereignty and independence during the meeting.

Noting that he expressed sorrow over separation among Iraqi people, Mualem said that the solution must emerge from Iraq itself.

Mualem said that they also discussed Palestine issue, recalling that Syria had an important role to bring together Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas political bureau leader Khaled Mashaal.

When asked his assessment about U.S. President George Bush's new Iraq strategy, Mualem reminded that the strategy envisions to increase the number of soldiers deployed to Iraq, and said that he does not believe use of force will solve any problem. Mualem said that they support a solution which will emerge from Iraq.

Noting that Turkey has a very important role in the region, and the stability & security of the region is vital for Turkey, Mualem said that however there is a very complicated structure in Iraq and a single country cannot overcome this, including the United States itself.

[08] Bagis: Turkey will not remain indifferent to Cyprus oil exportation

"Turkey will not remain indifferent to this development", said MP Egemen Bagis of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) who is also the foreign affairs adviser to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, when commenting on Greek Cypriot administration's oil exploration initiatives around Cyprus in a foreign policy seminar held in Ankara.

On the other hand, Bagis noted that nobody should be uneasy about Turkey's efforts to enhance its relations with its neighbours when answering a question whether or not Turkey's rapprochement with Iran would disturb the USA.

Bagis indicated that Turkey will be one of the countries that will object to Iran's endeavors to develop nuclear weapons, and pointed out that Iran should carry out its nuclear energy program in coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community.

According to Bagis, the government has taken into consideration regional and universal peace and Turkey's interests in its foreign policy since the day it came to power.

[09] The regime to establish a working committee which will take up the problems of the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Pyla

They allege that they pass from Pergamos crossing point with a visa and that the Greek Cypriot authoritys presence is felt more and more every day in Pyla. They argued that every weekend the Greek Cypriot Customs Director meets with the Director of the British Bases in the area, evaluate the situation and act accordingly.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (01.02.07) reports that reactions have been caused from the fact that the police of the Republic raided into the Resan Investment Company in Pyla without having a search warrant and arrested Erkan Suleyman, owner of the company, because of a misunderstanding between him and Hamit Mustafa, owner of the office.

In statements yesterday Suleyman alleged that the police of the Republic oppress him because he pays taxes to north Cyprus.

The self-styled ministry of foreign affairs issued a statement yesterday describing as unacceptable the fact that the United Nations recognized priority to the Greek Cypriot police with the latters interference in a misunderstanding between two Turkish Cypriots in Pyla. It says that they decided to establish a working committee with the participation of officials which will take up the problems of the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Pyla.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Iranian arrested in Kerynia for possessing 1.5 kilos of narcotics

(I/Ts.)

[11] Difficulties in determining the new minimum wage in the occupied areas

(I/Ts.)

[12] The final results of the population census will be announced today

(I/Ts.)

[13] Armenian genocide resolution to the House of Representatives. Written statement by Ross Wilson

"Bush administration's position on the issue has not changed. As I have said before, the Administration will be actively involved with the Congress to oppose this resolution," said U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Ross Wilson, commenting on the introduction of a resolution on so-called Armenian genocide into the U.S. Congress yesterday.

In a written statement, Wilson recalled, "a resolution dealing with the tragic events that took place at the end of the Ottoman Empire was introduced into the U.S. Congress yesterday".

Underscoring that there were no changes in Bush administration's position on the issue, Wilson said the administration would actively oppose such resolution.

The resolution on so-called Armenian genocide, which was officially submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday, is expected to be discussed and afterwards voted in the House Foreign Affairs Committee during the forthcoming weeks.

[14] Erdogan to sign Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway project

Despite the efforts of the Armenian diaspora to stop it, the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway project which will link Turkey to Central Asia will be signed on 7 February.

Prime Minister Erdogan will attend the ceremony in Tbilisi where the relevant parties will sign the framework agreement for the project.

[15] Turkeys State Minister to the Libyan Housing and Infrastructure Minister: We want to undertake all your projects

Kursad Tuzmen, who is currently in Libya with 150 Turkish businessmen to attend Turkey-Libya 20th Joint Economic Committee meeting, met Libyan finance, economy and housing ministers.

While visiting the Libyan Housing and Infrastructure Minister Abuzaid Dorda, Tuzmen said the trade volume between Turkey and Libya reached 2.7 billion USD.

"Turkish businessmen implemented infrastructure and superstructure projects in the world that amount to 85 billion USD last year. 20 percent of this amount were made in Libya. Turkish companies constructed airports, hotels, public housing projects all over the world. We want to show ourselves with our business. We want to undertake all your projects," Tuzmen said.

Libyan Minister Dorda said Turkey and Libya had extensive business relations especially in 1970s and 1980s. "At that time our trade volume was 3 billion USD," he said.

Indicating that Libya's housing need grew because of international embargo, Dorda noted that they need 420,000 dwelling units. "A Libyan delegation will travel to Turkey regarding this matter," he added.

Dorda said many companies from different countries were interested in these projects, however, they would prefer Turkish firms.

[16] Reports about hot pursuit into the Northern Iraq. Former Turkish Ambassador calls for Turkish invasion as in Cyprus

Gen (Ret) Joseph Ralston, the US special representative on the battle against PKK terrorism, met with his counterpart, Gen (Ret) Edip Baser. Back from a recent trip from Iraq, Ralston briefed Baser about the latest developments. Baser, in turn, reiterated Turkey's demands.

In an appearance before reporters after the meeting, the two men said that bilateral work is continuing and underscored the difficulty of achieving any results in the short term. Baser denied rumors that his US counterpart is acting as an intermediary between [Kurdistan Regional Government President Mas'ud] Barzani and [Turkey] and said that such a situation is out of the question.

Noting that every possibility for a solution is on the table at all times, Baser said that these include a military solution and a hot pursuit operation.

When asked whether "the measures already taken and the steps planned ahead include a military operation," Baser replied: "Yes, all of these are included. However, the war against terrorism is a long-term affair. The economic ties of the terrorist organization are also included. We will be able to say something more concrete in the near future. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Answering another question, Ralston said that the PKK was in the Mahmur [Maxmur] Camp in northern Iraq. He added: "That camp has been cleared of PKK elements." Ralston did not answer a question on whether "the camp would be closed."

The following comments were heard in Ankara anterooms after these statements:

Ralston and Baser most probably discussed what would happen to the terrorists Karayilan and Bayik and other [PKK] leadership figures. Positive signals were sent on the issue of whether these figures will be handed over to Turkey.

The prospect of a Turkish cross-border hot pursuit operation into northern Iraq has gained strength.

On the same issue, Turkeys English language daily TODAYS ZAMAN newspaper (01.02.07) publishes the following report under the title: Utkan: Turkey will eventually have to intervene in Iraq:

Turkey will inevitably be required to intervene in neighboring Iraq, a former Turkish ambassador said, as tension between Turkey and Iraq escalates over the status of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

In an interview with Today's Zaman, Retired Ambassador Necati Utkan, who was Turkey's ambassador in Baghdad during the First Gulf War, said Turkey had missed an opportunity to intervene during the term of Turgut Ozal as president.

Recalling 1974 , when Turkey militarily intervened to protect attacks on the Turkish Cypriots at the hands of the Greek Cypriots, the retired ambassador said if the current situation in Kirkuk began to look like the one in Cyprus in the 1970s, Turkey's intervention to Iraq would be inevitable. Underlining that a golden opportunity to intervene in Iraq was missed during Ozal's presidency, Utkan noted that the criticisms which were voiced against Ozal's inclination to pursue an assertive and aggressive policy then were not well-grounded.

Utkan, who met with Saddam Hussein during his term in Iraq several times, describes him as "charismatic, calm, wise and impressive." Despite his personal dislike of Saddam, Utkan does not endorse the execution: "Where is Karadzic? Where is Mladic? Is seizing Karadzic harder than seizing Saddam? More people were killed in Former Yugoslavia than those killed in Iraq."

Noting that Iraq in Ozal's time was very different from the present-day Iraq, Utkan said a unified and unitary Iraq was a fantasy. He clarified that this would not necessarily mean Iraq would be divided into several parts, but underlined that the future Iraq would be quite different from the Iraq of a decade ago.

The United States did not give a green light

Acknowledging that Turkey and the US had different perspectives and policies vis-à-vis some thorny issues including PKK terrorism and the situation in Kirkuk, Utkan said it was only natural for different countries to have different policy ambitions. Asserting that Turkey took a huge risk with its refusal of a US request to militarily cooperate in Iraq, Utkan said that rapid deterioration in the relations between the US and Turkey should not be expected. Recalling the migration currents during 1990s, Utkan commented that it would be a plausible policy to declare that Turkey would stop such a current entering its borders.

Utkan, who also serves as vice-President of the Turkish Cooperation and Development Administration (TIKA), complained about the insufficient opening up of Turkey to Central Asia. Noting that the countries in the region became extremely hopeful since 1990s, Utkan said when the expectations from Turkey were not realized, they became disappointed. Utkan said the vacuum was then later filled by other actors. Stressing that Turkey did its best through TIKA, Utkan recalled that the Administration should be given more of a role and initiative in the region.

[17] Turkey sent war ships to Cyprus

As the paper reported, it was alleged that Turkey has sent war ships as an indication of determination in the increased tension in Cyprus after the oil move of the Greek Cypriots.

General Yasar Buyukanit evaluating the incident stated that it is a routine activity and said the following: We have ships that anyway have duties continuously at the Eastern Mediterranean and at the Aegean Sea which are patrolling in the area. We have joint efforts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We do not need to send new ships, he stated.

The statement was made by the General Yasar Buyukanit in reply to a question at the entrance of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, where he held a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah Gul at 11 a.m.

(C/S)

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