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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-04-16

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: 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

  • [01] Pertev back from the US and off to Brussels
  • [02] The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce prefers the Direct Trade Regulation and not the Green Line Regulation
  • [03] The Chamber of Industry in occupied Cyprus to organize a symposium in spring
  • [04] The occupation regime to open the Lefkoniko airport to cargo flights
  • [05] Foreign delegations to participate in conference and exercise organised by the occupation army bound Civil Defense Organization
  • [06] Attempts to legitimize direct flights to the occupied by Turkish troops airports of Cyprus are continuing
  • [07] Survey on the treatment of women in the occupation areas
  • [08] Extract on Cyprus from the speech by General Buyukanit to the War Academies
  • [09] Nominations for presidential election officially begin
  • [10] Wafer tankers for Northern Iraq are being sent back to South Korea by Turkey

  • [A] NEWS ITEMS

    [01] Pertev back from the US and off to Brussels

    Illegal 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.

    [02] The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce prefers the Direct Trade Regulation and not the Green Line Regulation

    Illegal BAYRAK television (15.04.07) broadcast the following:

    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.

    [03] The Chamber of Industry in occupied Cyprus to organize a symposium in spring

    Illegal BAYRAK television (15.04.07) broadcast the following:

    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.

    [04] The occupation regime to open the Lefkoniko airport to cargo flights

    Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.04.07) reports from occupied Lefkosia that

    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.

    [05] Foreign delegations to participate in conference and exercise organised by the occupation army bound Civil Defence Organization

    Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (16.04.07) reports that the foreign delegations and teams which will take part in so-called First International Conference on Natural Disasters and Emergency Situations and International Coordination Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (IC-HAND 2007) and the second International Civil Defence Exercise- 2007 (ICDE-2007) organized by the so-called Civil Defence Organization in the Turkish Occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus have started to arrive in the occupied area.

    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)

    [06] Attempts to legitimize direct flights to the occupied by Turkish troops airports of Cyprus are continuing

    Illegal BAYRAK television (15.04.07) broadcast the following:

    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.

    [07] Survey on the treatment of women in the occupation areas

    Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (16.04.07) reports under banner headlines that a detailed survey carried out in the Turkish occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus showed that women are subjected to physical and psychological violence and that they are neglected.

    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)

    [08] Extract on Cyprus from the speech by General Buyukanit to the War Academies

    ISTANBUL RADIKAL newspaper (30.03.07) published the speech by General Buyukanit at the War Academies on 16 March 2007. Following is his reference to Cyprus:

    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.

    [09] Nominations for presidential election officially begin

    Under the above title Turkish TODAYS ZAMAN newspaper (16.04.07) publishes the following article:

    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.

    [10] Wafer tankers for Northern Iraq are being sent back to South Korea by Turkey

    ISTANBUL MILLIYET newspaper (14.04.07) publishes the following report under the title: Barzani´s tankers are being sent back

    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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