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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-04-16Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No.72/07 14-16.04.07[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Pertev back from the US and off to BrusselsIllegal BAYRAK television (14.04.07) broadcast the following:Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev has returned to the Republic after completing his contacts in the Unites States. Speaking to the BRT newsroom, Mr. Pertev evaluated his contacts in Washington and New York as very useful and reiterated the Turkish Cypriot sides willingness for a solution in Cyprus. The Presidential Undersecretary had meetings with Lynn Pascoe- the UN Secretary-Generals Undersecretary for Political Affairs, and Matthew Bryza- US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.During the meeting they exchanged views on the Turkish Cypriot Sides stance on the 8 July process. Restating the Turkish Cypriot Sides desire for a solution in Cyprus, the Presidential Undersecretary expressed the hope that the UN Secretary-General will review the Cyprus issue with a new team in a near future. Responding to claims made by the Greek Cypriot press that the Turkish Cypriot Side was not satisfied with the outcome of his visit to the US, Mr. Pertev criticized the Greek Cypriot Side for making up stories in order to play for non-solution in Cyprus. He also accused the Greek Cypriot side of using the media to impose its own views. Rasit Pertev went on to say that the Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution in Cyprus and continues its negative stance. Meanwhile, the Presidential Undersecretary will be flying to Brussels on Monday to have contacts relating to the EU Direct Trade Regulation. Referring to his earlier contacts with the EU term-president Germany on direct trade, Mr. Pertev said Germany continues its work towards the implementation of the direct trade regulation in secrecy and added that he will have detailed contacts in Brussels on the issue. On 15/04/07 illegal BAYRAK broadcast the following: The Presidential Undersecretary Rait Pertev will leave the Republic
tomorrow for Brussels where he will have contacts with EU officials on
the Direct Trade Regulation.
Speaking to the BRT, Mr Pertev said that his contacts in Brussels will
be the continuation of his earlier discussions in Berlin with EU Term
Presidency on the Direct Trade Regulation. During his visit to Berlin,
Mr Pertev had explained the Turkish Cypriot Sides position towards the
Direct Trade Regulation.
Its been announced there has been a gradual increase in the amount of
exports from the TRNC to South Cyprus since the implementation of the
Green Line Regulation but the Regulation has failed to give a boost to
the economy of the North, which was its main objective.
According to latest figures released, a total of
3-million-seven-hundred Cyprus pounds worth of exports have been made
in the last 4 years within the framework of the Green Line Regulation;
the amount represents only 3% of the total exports of the TRNC.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce Erdil Nami stressed that the
economy of the Turkish Cypriot people could only be strengthened with
the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation.
A total of 3-million-seven-hundred Cyprus pounds worth of exports have
been made since the implementation of the Green Line Regulation; the
amount represents only 3% of the total exports of the TRNC.
Export of vegetables has the biggest share of trade with South
Cyprus.Woodworks, furniture and stoneware are on top of the goods and
products lists being traded to South Cyprus.
Speaking to the TAK news agency, Oya Barç1n a trade expert from the
Chamber of Commerce said that although there has been a gradual
increase in the amount of exports from the TRNC to South Cyprus in the
last four years, the Regulation has failed to make an important
contribution to North Cyprus economy. She pointed out that the
Regulation which was prepared with the aim of giving a boost to the
economy in the North, failed to realize its main objective.
The expert also added that the procedure to be followed for the export
of potato was too difficult that it prevented producers from exporting
their products. She also noted that the Chamber of Commerce prepared a
guidebook for potato producers providing them information about the
conditions for trade with the South.
Commenting on the issue also was the President of the Turkish Cypriot
Chamber of Commerce Erdil Nami who reminded that the Green Line
Regulation had been prepared with the aim of narrowing the gap between
the two economies in Cyprus and creating the basis for the
reunification of the island but said that trade that has been realized
within the framework of the Regulation was too far from realizing this
target.
Mr Nami said it would not be possible for two regions having such an
economic gap to unite and stressed that the economy of the North could
only be improved with the implementation of the Direct Trade
Regulation.
The Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry is preparing to host a symposium
on the development of cooperation among Mediterranean countries.
The President of the Chamber Salih Tunar told the BRT today that the
symposium on `Cooperation and Improvement of Trade Relations among
Mediterranean Countries` would be held in autumn.
Mr Tunar said that countries on all shores of the Mediterranean would
be invited to attend the symposium where the TRNCs potential for trade
and investments would be promoted. He stated that ways of increasing
cooperation between the Turkish Cypriot Chambers of Commerce and
Industry and Chambers from other countries would be searched during the
symposium, which he said, would be realized in cooperation with NGOs
and universities in the Republic.
Providing information on other activities of the Chamber, Mr. Tunar
said 8 companies from the TRNC would attend the Dubai Construction Fair
which will take place in November.
He noted that the TRNC would also be represented at the 2nd Iraq
International Fair which will be held in Turkish south eastern city of
Gaziantep.
Salih Usar, self-styled Public Works and Transportation Minister of
TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of
Cyprus), has stated that they were planning to open the Gecitkale
(occupied Lefkoniko) airport to cargo transportation and plane
maintenance services, with an international tender.
Usar received representatives of the Cyprus Airport Services (CAS)
which is a company established jointly by the Cyprus Turkish Airlines
(KTHY) and Havas, aiming to carry out ground handling services. "CAS
will be primarily undertaking ground handling services. Besides, we
will have taken remarkable steps towards the better functionality of
Ercan (occupied Tymbou) and Gecitkale airports, moreover, improvement
of their potential and capacity", he stated.
Usar said that they were planning to change Ercan airport into a
structure that could embrace a 20 to 25-year improvement. "We desire to
activate this plan this year. However, prior to that, we will have
opened Gecitkale airport to cargo transportation and plane maintenance
services, by calling for an international tender," Usar stated.
Underscoring that they were aiming to open a tender by the beginning of
May the latest, Usar said they would carry out activities to activate a
master plan regarding Ercan airport afterwards.
Indicating that both Turkey or a European country might be successful
at the tender, Usar said many countries desired to rent Gecitkale
airport previously; however, they decided to open a tender rather than
choosing one of these countries. Usar also emphasized that cargo
transportation services could pave the way for commencing of direct
flights.
In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (16/04/07) reports
that the self-styled Prime Minister in the Turkish occupied part of the
Republic of Cyprus, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, referring to the criticisms
raised by the opposition against the president, government and the
local intellectuals that they are against Turkey, that they do not
respect national values and that they will sell out Cyprus, had
criticized the opposition and said that this kind of statements could
give way to regrettable arguments. Soyer made this statement at a Gala
Dinner given by the so-called Cyprus Airport Services which will
provide ground services at the occupied Tymbou Airport.
The so-called chairman of the Civil Defence Organization Zekai
Aksakalli said that teams and delegations form 38 different countries
will take part in the conference and the exercise. Delegations from
Brazil, South Africa, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh,
United Arab Emirates and Turkey have already arrived in the occupied
area.
During a reception organized in honour of the visiting delegations
Aksakalli welcomed the delegations and said that no country in the
world will be able to deal with the natural disasters alone. He said
that international help and cooperation is necessary in dealing with
such disasters. Speaking at the reception the head of the South African
Search and Rescue operations Lan Michael Scher praised the volunteers
system among the University students implemented in the occupied area.
He said that during last years exercise two things had impressed him,
one was the radio system and the second the volunteers system.
In his turn the head of the international relations of the Bosnia-
Herzegovina Milivoje Popovic said that last years exercise had
impressed him very much. The head of the Search and Rescue Group from
Brazil Paulo Jose Barbosa de Souza said that last year they had
attended as observers, however, this year they will take part in the
exercise.
(MHY)
The Cyprus Turkish Airlines has asked the British Aviation Authority to
review its decision on the CTAs application for direct flights between
the UK and the TRNC.
The CTA said the Airlines would start legal action if the UK Civil
Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Transportation and Civil
Aviation again rejected its request.
The Director of the CTA Ahmet Derya paid a visit to the Minister of
Public Works and Transportation Salih Usar yesterday. Responding to a
reporters question on direct flight, Mr Derya said the CTA sent a
letter to the UK Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation asking it to
review its decision on the issue.
He said that in the letter, the Airlines noted that it would take the
issue to Court if the CTAs application for direct flights between
Britain and Ercan (occupied Tymbou) was again rejected.
For his part, Mr Usar said his Ministry, the TRNC Presidency and the
CTA have been acting together to open the way for direct flights.
Pointing out that the CTAs application had been rejected just for
political reasons, the Minister said it would be wrong to let the Greek
Cypriot Administration determine the fate of the Turkish Cypriot
people.
Noting that the economic reasons behind the CTAs desire to launch
direct flights between the two countries were being explained to the
authorities concerned, he reminded that the removal of the conditions
which create unjust competition was one of the principles of the
European Union.
He noted that indirect flights between the UK and Ercan were increasing
the distance between the UK and Ercan, and thus the cost of flights
creating unfair competition for the CTA.
The survey was carried out by the Associate Professor Dr. Mehmet Cakici
and his team of experts Specialist Psychologist, advisor Selman
Dusunmez and Associate Professor Doctor Ebru Cakici all over the
occupied area and 500 women were questioned in the age ranging 13-65.
The findings of the survey are published as a book Violence Directed to
the Woman in North Cyprus.
The women are subjected to insults, threats, beatings, sexual
harassment and rape. The survey showed that only 8.6% of the cases of
women subjected to violence are reported to the police and 5.4%
reported to hospital, while 80.8 % of the women preferred to keep
silent and not to mention about their problems.
(MHY)
Esteemed comrades in arms; I now wish to share my views on how we
should assess the developments that take place at the present time.
Earlier, I pointed to the importance of initial conditions in unstable
situations in which many variables exist. We should view the conditions
that exist at the present time - global, regional, and internal threats
- as a whole, not separately. That is how we can clearly assess the
developments and trends in our geographic area. That is how we can
place the developments under control.
The power vacuum that emerged in the Balkans, Caucasus, Central Asia,
and the Middle East after the collapse of the bipolar system in the
world increased global uncertainty and created geopolitical vacuums in
those areas.
The concept of global security and the way the countries in the world
viewed their defence significantly changed particularly after the
terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001. The trend
of globalization is believed to be one of the reasons for this change,
which is expected to give a new form to global relations in the 21st
century.
Under these conditions, global attention shifted to the east and Turkey
found itself concentrating on new security needs. The risks and
threats against Turkey changed from symmetric to asymmetric.
Within that context, I will assess the outcome of the developments in
the region. I will start from Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The geostrategic and geopolitical importance of Cyprus and the Eastern
Mediterranean increased when oil and natural gas became the most
important source of energy in the 20th century. That state of affairs
will continue as long as oil and natural gas are important in
consumption of energy.
I wish to outline a fact that we should not forget. The era of oil
will end in the near future. It will be replaced by natural gas. But,
what will happen when we run out of natural gas? That is a fact that
has to be considered.
Turkey is an important country in the transportation of oil from
Central Asia and the Middle East to the western countries. In view of
that, it has to focus attention on Cyprus to be able to contribute to
the international effort that is made to provide security for the
transportation of energy resources.
The Greek Cypriot side has always maintained an irreconcilable
approach. It confirmed its irreconcilable stand by rejecting the Annan
Plan with a high percentage of votes - 75 percent - during the
referendum that was simultaneously held on the two sides in Cyprus on
24 April 2004.
The Greek Cypriot side's objective is quite clear. It plans to delay
the solution of the problem without undertaking any serious commitment
in order to be able to remove the parameters for a just and durable
peace agreement. Its objective is to solve the Cyprus problem through
"osmosis," which will turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority
community within the framework of a unitary state. The Greek Cypriots
believe that the success of their policy depends on the continuation of
the present situation without a solution being found to the problem.
Obviously, the Greek Cypriot leader will continue to delay a solution
based on UN parameters as long as pressure is not put on him and as
long as he fails to realize that he will have to pay the cost of
prolonging the present situation.
France and the Greek Cypriot administration signed an agreement to
cooperate on defence a few days ago. Undoubtedly, the agreement will
encourage the Greek Cypriot side to maintain its policies, which
prevent the solution of the island's problem and pose a threat to
stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, it
will have negative effects on the effort that is made within the UN
framework to find a comprehensive solution to the problem.
The Greek Cypriot administration does not represent the Turkish
Cypriots and the island as a whole. It is not authorized to act on
behalf of the Turkish Cypriots to make plans that concern the entire
island.
Sensitive balances were established in Cyprus and the Eastern
Mediterranean through the 1959-1960 agreements. They were guaranteed by
the countries that were given the right to do so.
The Greek Cypriot administration's recent behaviour and activities,
particularly the initiatives it made to search for oil, gradually began
to move the Cyprus problem towards the Eastern Mediterranean. That
state of affairs continues to create instability in the area.
Turkey and the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) continue to maintain their
vision for the solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of UN
parameters. The establishment of just and durable peace on the island
will contribute to stability and security in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
The military forces strongly hope that a just and durable peace will be
established in Cyprus. But, what do we mean when we call for a just and
durable peace? How can that concept be explained? The TSK is worried
about a few points on the matter.
We cannot avoid asking the following question: Was the Annan Plan just
and durable? No, it was not. The plan called for special arrangements,
which have come to be known as derogations, to satisfy the two sides.
They were not permanent measures. Speaking at Brussels Airport after
returning from a summit in Zurich at the time, the EU official
responsible for the expansion of the organization said that they were
"very happy to have seen to it that the derogations were not
permanent." Why were they not permanent? Well, according to the EU
laws, the question of derogations has to be accepted as a primary legal
issue and approved by the [EU] assemblies.
The majority of the derogations added to the Annan Plan conflicted with
the EU laws. If the plan was put into effect, all of the derogations
would be quickly removed through an appeal to the EU courts by a Greek
Cypriot citizen. That would deprive every right the Turkish Cypriots
believed to have gained. The plan was not permanent. Furthermore, it
was not fair because [the Turkish Cypriots] would have lost all their
rights.
Considering that, I wish to stress the following: References are made
to a just and durable peace. But, no one in Turkey has explained how
that concept should be filled in. The parameters that would make a
plan just and durable have to be outlined. I wish to particularly
stress that at this point.
The first stage of the presidential election through which Turkey's
11th president will be chosen has officially begun. The nomination
process will last until April 25.
Under the Constitution any parliamentary deputy who is over 40 and has
a university degree is entitled to be nominated for the presidential
post. Candidates with the same qualifications outside of the Parliament
may also be nominated, with the signed consent of at least 110
deputies. Upon the completion of the nomination process the election
rounds will take place and be completed by May 16. The newly elected
president will be sworn in on May 26 and then take office.
The decision to determine the time for the commencement of the
presidential election rounds will be finalized on April 25. The rounds
will be held at least three days apart. The next president will be
elected through a secret ballot. Parliament Speaker Bülent Ar1nç held
meetings with the deputies, proposing either April 26 or May 3 for the
first round. In order for a candidate to be elected president at the
first round, he or she has to win a two-third majority in parliament
(367 out of 550 deputies). The same applies to the second round. In the
third round election as president requires the support of a simple
majority (276 deputies). If no candidate is able to garner the support
of simple majority in the third round, the two candidates with the
highest number of votes will qualify for the fourth round, in which any
of the two has to be supported by at least 276 deputies. If even the
fourth round fails to elect the new president, Parliamentary elections
are held.
Turkey is sending back to South Korea the water tankers that have been
sent to northern Iraq and that are being kept waiting at the Derince
Port of Kocaeli.
In the documents the address of the recipient is written as the
"Interior Ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government."
Customs officials noted that they will send the tankers back
as soon as possible on grounds that "the address is wrong and that
there is no such country." At the port there are five water tankers
worth 330,000 new Turkish lira that have been ordered by the Kurdish
Democratic Party headed by Barzani.
Issuing harsh statements against Turkey on 7 April, Mas'ud Barzani
said: "If Turkey interferes in Kirkuk, we will interfere in the affairs
related to Diyarbakir and other cities in Turkey."
Speaking to the Al-Arabiyah television channel Barzani said: "We will
not allow Turkey to interfere in Kirkuk. Kirkuk is an Iraqi city that
has a Kurdish identity both historically and geographically. All the
facts prove that Kirkuk belongs to the Iraqi Kurdistan."
EG/
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