Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-04-23

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/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Pertev says time is against the interest of both sides on the island

[02] Ugur Ziyal says that time does not work against the Turkish side in the Cyprus problem

[03] Four hundred residences to be built in occupied Varosha area for young couples

[04] Erdogan says that the TRNC is continuously gaining and being developed

[05] Avci concluded his contacts in Rome

[06] Kutlay Erk met with the Italian Foreign Minister and Mr George Papandreou

[07] The school at the occupied village of Galinoporni was turned into a museum

[08] Political support from Azerbaijan to the illegal regime through exhibition in occupied Cyprus

[09] AKP Deputy submitted his candidacy for president of Turkey

[10] Nokta magazine was shut down

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Pertev says time is against the interest of both sides on the island

The Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev has stressed that the political equality of the two sides and the UN parameters on the Cyprus issue should be taken as a `middle ground` to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr Pertev told the BRT English newsroom service that time was serving the interests of neither the Greek Cypriot side nor the Turkish Cypriot side and stressed the need for an urgent solution to the problem.

Referring to the 8-July Process, he said the process should be conducted in a way that would open the way for full-fledged negotiations.

On the EU Direct Trade Regulation, he said the Turkish Cypriot People cannot wait for another three years for it to be implemented and said `the ball is in their court and they need to take action`.

The Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev told the BRT English newsroom today that the EU faced an important contradiction regarding the Turkish Cypriots.

Pointing out that the EU was extending its common markets to countries other than the EU member states, he said that the Turkish Cypriot people was not benefiting from this right.

Expressing the hope that Germany would succeed in implementing the Direct Trade Regulation before its term ended, he said the Turkish Cypriot people cannot wait for another year for it to be put into practice.

`The ball is in their court and they need to take action` he said, warning that the Turkish Cypriot Peoples disappointment with the EU would become much deeper if it failed to honour its promises.

On the Cyprus issue, the Presidential Undersecretary said the Greek Cypriot Administration was thinking that time was on its side and that Turkish Cypriot economy would one day collapse and the Turkish Cypriot People would be in a position that it would be able to dictate its own terms.

He stressed that the Turkish Cypriot economy would catch up with the Greek Cypriot economy one way or the other in spite of its international isolation.

There are several options for Cyprus. The option which the Turkish Cypriot side had strongly said `YES` is a solution based on political equality and the UN parameters. This is the middle grounds the two sides will have to meet one day and make a new republic Apart from that there are two other options Thats the option of partition two separate countries which Turkey Cypriots did not support and they gave their support to the Annan Plan. There is another option which has been named by Mr Papadopoulos and it is that of osmosis This will never be an option for Turkish Cypriots Mr Pertev said.

The Presidential Undersecretary stressed that `middle ground` is the only point where the two sides could meet to find a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN parameters and political equality of the two sides.

Reminding that the new UN Secretary General has taken up his new office and he has got a new team in place, he expressed the belief that there would be a strong attempt to restart the comprehensive negotiations in the year.

Stressing that the current situation cannot be maintained, he said `how is the Greek Cypriot side able to call itself a state with a rule of law while it violates its own constitution`.

Mr Pertev added that the Greek Cypriot Administration was far away from satisfying even the first criteria of the European Union and called on it to accept the realities of the island and the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot Side.

On relations between the two ´people´ of the island, Mr Pertev said that the Greek Cypriot Sides rejection of the Annan Plan had been a great disappoint to the Turkish Cypriot people and deepened the gap between the two ´peoples´.

He also said that it was very disappointing for him that about 50% of the Greek Cypriot People has not yet visited the North whilst all of the Turkish Cypriots crossed into the South.

On the opening a gate at Lokmaci (Ledra street), Mr Pertev said the Turkish Cypriot side has done whatever necessary for the opening of a gate at the point but complained that the Greek Cypriot side has had a very long list of preconditions, which he said, was blocking the way of opening a crossing point between the two sides.

[02] Ugur Ziyal says that time does not work against the Turkish side in the Cyprus problem

There is a problem which is unsolved for 40 years. When this period of time is compared in history, 40 years are not a long period. I do not think that time works against us any more. Time does not work against us any more. If the Greek Cypriot side continues the policy it follows right now, time will work more in our favour.

Mr Ziyal argued that the Greek Cypriots entered into the EU, but they were not able to achieve what they wanted. He alleged that all this is a result of the developments in Burgenstock during the negotiations on the Anna Plan and the policy which Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots follow.

Mr Ziyal noted that it is seen that both in the West and in the Greek and Greek Cypriot press there is concern that the division of the island is being strengthened. Referring to the policy of President Papadopoulos, he argued: Europe is concerned with Papadopoulos, because Papadopoulos approach is outside the European values and the requirements of the time. He hopes for the impossible. This is coming to the surface more and more. I could not know for how long Europe will tolerate this.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Four hundred residences to be built in occupied Varosha area for young couples

He noted that at the first stage 400 residences will be built on a territory of 25 donums (Tr. Note: A land measure of 1000 square meters) in the Besevler area in occupied Varosha. Mr Murat added that the houses will be from 75 square meters to 130 square meters.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (23.04.07) reports that Soyer and Murat made the above-statements during a meeting yesterday with inhabitants of occupied Famagusta. The paper writes that Soyer said that a great economic development took place in the occupied areas during the last three years and added that this development drew the attention of the international community.

He noted that the GDP increased from 985 million euros to two billion euros and the budget deficit decreased to 7 % of the GDP. He said that their aim now is to reach Malta by achieving GDP of four billion euros. Referring to the Cyprus problem, Mr Soyer said that the Greek Cypriots are using the veto threat against Turkey during Ankaras EU accession course and added that the Turkish side is trying to make the Greek Cypriot policy ineffective.

Mr Soyer noted that the European Parliament is divided in two on the Cyprus problem and added: If we have increased to 50 % the support which had been zero in the past, it is not difficult to increase it to 60-70 %. Mr Soyer said that the opening of the new 70 megawatt electricity power plant in the occupied areas will take place on 28 April.

Furthermore, illegal BAYRAK television (22.04.07) broadcast that Mr Soyer said that the President of the European Parliament (EP), Hans Gert Pottering is preparing to invite the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat to the EP.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Erdogan says that the TRNC is continuously gaining and being developed

Mr Erdogan noted, inter alia, the following referring to the Cyprus problem:

There was nothing except a couple of hotels. But look now brand new hotels have began to be built. Their number exceeds fifteen. Investors began to come to Cyprus from various places of the world. Per capita income had been around 4.700 dollars when we came to power. Now it became 12 thousand dollars. The motherland gives the necessary support. This is the way these things happen. What have you lost? What have they lost? Come and say one single concrete thing. They are not saying this. Until four and a half years ago there was a Cyprus with absolutely no political respect in the world, but now there is a northern Cyprus which is being respected with political invitations to its president of the republic, its prime minister and its ministers. There is a Cyprus which opened offices in various countries of the world. There is a northern Cyprus where commercial delegations come and from there it is invited to many countries. Now northern Cyprus is gaining respect. Why has it not been able to gain this respect before?

(I/Ts)

[05] Avci concluded his contacts in Rome

´Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister´ Turgay Avci who was in the Italian capital Rome for a series of contacts returned to the ´Republic´ today.

Speaking at a conference organized by the United Journalists Association in Rome yesterday at the end of his contacts, the ´Foreign Minister´ called on Italy to support the Turkish Cypriot Sides efforts to have the international community to lift the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot ´people´.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Avci called on all Italians to establish contact with the Turkish Cypriot people on all fields ranging from trade, culture and sports.

Pointing out that the non-solution of the Cyprus Problem was due to the Greek Cypriot Administrations intransigent attitude on the issue, the ´Foreign Minister´ complained that the Greek Cypriot Side, despite the Turkish Cypriot Sides efforts towards achieving a peaceful settlement, was using its political recognition to reject a bi-communal, bi-zonal settlement based on the political equality of the two sides.

Mr Avci said that the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ was using its EU membership to toughen the international isolation imposed on North Cyprus, but nevertheless expressed the belief that EU Direct Trade regulation will be implemented without preconditions.

As part of his other contacts in Rome, the ´Foreign Minister´ met with the Director General for the European Countries in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Laura Mirachian.

[06] Kutlay Erk met with the Italian Foreign Minister and Mr George Papandreou

Kutlay Erk, a member of the CTPs Foreign Affairs Bureau who attended the 4th Congress of the Italian Socialist Party in Florence Italy met with the Italian Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Massimo Dalema.

The latest developments on the Cyprus Issue were among the issues discussed during the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, the Italian Foreign Minister expressed his country´s support for the immediate implementation of the stalled EU Direct Trade Regulation.

As part of his other contacts in the Italian city of Florence, Mr. Erk also came together in separate meetings with the President of the Socialist International platform and leader of Greeces PASOK party George Papandreou, the Secretary General of the Socialist International Luis Ayala, and the General Secretary General of the Italian Socialist Party Pierro Fassino.

In general, Mr. Erk reiterated the Turkish Cypriot Side´s determination to continue supporting any positive steps taken towards finding a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

The Italian Foreign Minister Massimo Dalema during his meeting with Mr. Erk expressed his countrys support for the immediate implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation.

Mr. Dalema also said that he conveyed to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon during their last meeting, the need for the UN to take on a new initiative towards finding a settlement on the island.

As for his meeting with PASOK leader George Papandreou, which focused mainly on the 8-July process, Mr. Erk told Mr. Papandreou that the process had come to a standstill because of the Greek Cypriot Sides insistence to include the property issue among the list of issues to be taken up by the technical committees.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot Side was nevertheless working in good will in order to salvage the process.

Mr. Erk, who also attended the 4th Congress of the Italian Socialist Party delivered a message at the congress on behalf of Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

[07] The school at the occupied village of Galinoporni was turned into a museum

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ with its legal and legitimate institutions will do all that is necessary to protect and preserve the historical and cultural heritage of North Cyprus.

The ´President´ was speaking at cocktail event last night celebrating the establishment of the Kaleburnu (Galinoporni) Culture and Solidarity Association

President Mehmet Ali Talat, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosia Turkekul Kurttekin, high level state and government ministers as well as people from Kaleburnu village attended the reception held last night at the Eastern Mediterranean Universitys Beach Club resort.

Bronze artifacts unearthed from excavation digs being carried out in Kaleburnu village were put on display.

Speaking at the cocktail, the ´President´ touched upon the historical wealth of North Cyprus, stating that the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ was confidently looking to the future with this rich heritage.

Criticizing the Greek Cypriot Administration for its stance adopted against the Turkish Cypriot ´people´, the President said the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ will never bow down to the Greek Cypriot Sides pressures.

Underlining the importance of using the historical and cultural wealth to promote North Cyprus abroad, the ´President´ described the transformation of the Kaleburnu School building into a museum as a positive development.

He said that the opening of a museum in Kaleburnu to house artifacts unearthed from an excavation site near the village will contribute to the economic development of the area.

The ´President´ expressed the view that tourism development in the area will create new employment opportunities for people in Kaleburnu and surrounding villages.

Also speaking at the event, the Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosia Turkekul Kurttekin said that he had personally found the opportunity to witness successful works achieved by the people of Kaleburnu adding that this demonstrated that the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ were successfully progressing despite the unjust international embargoes imposed on them.

[08] Political support from Azerbaijan to the illegal regime through exhibition in occupied Cyprus

The exhibition is within the framework of the international artistic activities organised by the illegal Near East University in occupied Cyprus.

[09] AKP Debuty submitted his candidacy for president of Turkey

[10] Nokta magazine was shut down

Nokta's General Publishing Manager Alper Gormus disclosed that work on the next issue of the weekly has stopped.

In a written statement, Gormus said: "It is true that editorial work on Nokta's 26th issue, which would be published on 26 April, has stopped."

Gormus will issue a more elaborate statement on the action tomorrow.

The offices of the weekly were raided by Istanbul police on 13 April following a complaint filed by the Military Prosecutor's Office of the General Staff.

The last issue of Nokta appeared with the cover title: "We Will Carry on Until We Achieve Democracy in Essence, not in Words" [a play on Chief of the General Staff Yasar Buyukanit's recent remarks on the expected secularism of the next president].

The 29 March issue of Nokta published notes that were allegedly written by former Naval Forces Commander Adm Ozden Ornek. The notes suggested that the three force commanders and the general commander of the gendarmerie planned two separate coups code named "Sarikiz [Gold Coin or Flaxen Cow]" and "Ayisigi [Moonlight]" [in 2004], but that then Chief of the General Staff Hilmi Ozkok opposed these initiatives.

Adm (Ret) Ornek denied the allegations of "coup attempts" in the diaries attributed to him on the day they were published. In a statement to CNN Turk, Ornek said: "I did not keep any diaries during my term as commander. I do not have such a diary. These reports are completely fabricated."

Ornek said that he wrote "memoirs" only between 1957 and 1981. He added: "The notes I wrote were memoirs, not diaries. After that period and during my service as commander, no diaries were kept. My daily schedule and activities were systematically recorded at my headquarters. They have taken my daily activities and visits and written a complete scenario around them."

Some of the diary notes alleged to have been written by Ornek were published in the press earlier. Nokta published the portion of the diaries related to the period between late 2003 and early 2004.

On 7 April, an investigation was launched against Ornek and former General Commander of the Gendarmerie Sener Eruygur on charges of planning a coup against the AKP government.

In March 2007, it became evident that the "memorandum" practice that first appeared on Turkey's agenda during the 28 February process is still continuing. In its issue published in the first half of March, Nokta disclosed a new memorandum said to have been drafted in November 2006.

According to the memorandum, the Press and Public Relations Department of the General Staff distinguished between "pro-Armed Forces" and "anti-Armed Forces" press organs and reporters.

The memorandum, which was comprised of nine "for service use only" documents comprised of a total of 52 pages, also included an evaluation table where news related to the armed forces reported by different media organizations were rated with "plus" and "minus" grades.

On 30 March, Col Saim Ozturk, Military Prosecutor of the General Staff, disclosed that the army's report on the press was stolen on 12 October 2006, that the memorandum was first sent overseas, and that it was transmitted back to Turkey after waiting for a while.

EG/

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