Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-06-27

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat meets with the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs who urged him to overcome the difficulties in the Gambari process

[02] The Turkish lobby in Britain expects no change of policy regarding Turkey and Cyprus by Mr Gordon Brown

[03] Statements by Hasan Ercakica during his weekly press conference

[04] Azeri politicians are having contacts in occupied Cyprus

[05] Ertugruloglu describes the developments in the occupied areas as shameful; Serdar Denktas is reportedly ready to support a CTP government

[06] A Turkish company is reportedly involved in the bribery issue in the occupied areas; The press sees Ahmet Yonluer behind the issue

[07] Cakici accuses the government of acting under the guardianship of AKP and as an employee of Ankara

[08] Electricity power plant in the occupied areas is accused of creating environmental and health problems

[09] Press conference of the German Foreign Minister following the EU intergovernmental conference. Reference to Cyprus

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] The occupation army protects briber from Turkey

[11] Sami Kohen assesses the position on the Cyprus problem from MHPs and Labour Partys election manifestos

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat meets with the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs who urged him to overcome the difficulties in the Gambari process

However, I could advice not to waste time, to use all possibilities and create activity in all the processes. The technical difficulties experienced at the moment in the Gambari process should be overcome. Now they might seem important, but in the long term they might not be so important.

In his statements, Mr Talat said that during the meeting he had the opportunity to explain from the Turkish Cypriot point of view the opinions set forward by the Greek Cypriot side at the institutions where it participates. Mr Talat noted that Sweden is very close to the Turkish Cypriots and follows a policy which understands their problems.

Talat argued that while the Greek Cypriots comment and evaluate everything as it suits them, the Turkish Cypriots are rarely given such an opportunity. They heard a lot of things they did not know, he said referring to his Swedish interlocutors.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (27.06.07) refers to the issue and reports that the meeting between Talat and Bildt lasted for about three hours. The paper stresses on Mr Talats allegation that the Greek Cypriot side could not maintain its negative attitude for ever and that for this reasons there will definitely be developments on the Cyprus problem.

However, he argued, Europe is very late from the point of view of the timing. He said that he had a very useful meeting with Mr Bildt and that he explained to him in detail the effects of the isolations on the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Talat delivered also a speech at the Swedish Institute of International Relations in Stockholm. No media were allowed to cover the activity. However, afterwards Mr Talat stated that in his speech he replied to various positions of the Greek Cypriot side and the allegations about the existence of occupation in Cyprus.

Mr Talat said that they did not demand from the Europeans to recognize the TRNC, breakaway regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus. He added: This will come onto the agenda another time. We are ready to meet the Greek Cypriot side for a solution within the framework of the parameters determined by the UN, within the framework of the political equality of two bi-zonal states for the equality of the Turkish Cypriots. Today Mr Talat will visit the Swedish Parliament.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The Turkish lobby in Britain expects no change of policy regarding Turkey and Cyprus by Mr Gordon Brown

The London correspondent of the paper asked Ayfer Orhan, Turkish Cypriot MP candidate with the Labour Party, Nilgun Canver, who comes from Adana and is the chairman of the Group of Friends of Turkey in the party, and Andy Love, MP and member of the above-mentioned Group, what they think the effects of the change in the Prime Ministers post will be for Cyprus and Turkey. They all said that the current policy will not change.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Statements by Hasan Ercakica during his weekly press conference

At a time when the whole world has been searching ways of ending the `clash of civilizations`, the Greek Cypriot Archbishop Chrysostomos is trying to portray the Cyprus problem as a religious issue.

Underling the fact that the Cyprus problem is a political issue, Mr Ercak1ca warned that bringing superstitious beliefs and religious perspectives into a political problem will not help resolve the Cyprus problem but will just cause further tensions.

During his weekly press briefing, Mr Ercak1ca referred to earlier statements by the leader of the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church Archbishop Chrysostomos during his recent visit to Italy.

Emphasizing the fact that the Cyprus problem is a political issue, and not a religious one, he said the Turkish Cypriot Side has been working on ways of bringing about a political solution to the problem under the aegis of the United Nations platform.

Pointing to a statement by Chrysostomos that the aim of his visit to Italy was to increase `the Popes sensitivity on the Cyprus issue`, Mr Ercakica said such statements prove that Chrysostomos saw himself as a political leader.`On one hand, Chrysostomos II has been trying to get the support of the Western Christianity while on the other, the Greek Cypriot leaders have been trying to disrupt stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and to undertake the role of Turkey` he said.

The spokesman pointed out that the Greek Cypriot Administration has been creating tensions in the region and cited its decision to explore petrol in the Eastern Mediterranean as an example for this.

He also added that the Greek Cypriot Side has been trying to drag Turkey into the debate on this issue and said that South Cyprus has been using its EU membership to realize its objectives.

He noted that the statement issued on the 20th of June by the National Security Council in Turkey openly pointed to the dangers related to the issue and stated that actions taken by South Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean are threatening the stability in the region.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (27.06.07) reports that Hasan Ercakica, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, argued yesterday that the Republic of Cyprus constitutes a factor of destabilization in the area and that the announcement issued on 20 June after the recent meeting of the Turkish National Security Council (NSC) pointed out to this danger. Mr Ercakica alleged that the statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lillikas show his mentality which resembles the Crusades.

[04] Azeri politicians are having contacts in occupied Cyprus

Acting-President Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu has said the Turkish Cypriot People has been searching ways for improving relations with foreign countries as it is still facing an international isolation.

She said it is unacceptable that the Greek Cypriot Side has been using its EU membership to block the way of all kinds of initiatives serving the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The Speaker of the Parliament was speaking during a visit paid to her by a group of Azeri politicians which is in the Republic as guest of the Foreign Ministry.

The Azeri delegation headed by the Chairman of the Youth Association of the New Azerbaijan Party, Ramil Hasanov, started its contacts in the Republic today with visits to state and government officials.

The Azeri delegation which is being accompanied by the TRNC Representative in Baku Zeki Gazioglu first met with the former TRNC President, Rauf Raif Denkta.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Denktas said that the Azeri delegation is in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which exists in spite of the international community s failure to recognize it for the last 24 years.

Mr Denktas said there would have been no Turkish Cypriots living in the country if Turkey had not intervened the situation in Cyprus.

He also added that a future solution in Cyprus should be on the basis of existence of two peoples and two states on the island.

The Azeri delegation, later visited Prime Minister, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, who pointed to improving relations between the two countries.

The Premier said that the Azeri and Turkish Cypriot peoples had both waged existence struggle on the basis of political equality.

The delegation was later received by the Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu.

Welcoming the delegation, Mrs Ekenoglu explained that the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people is still continuing but said that it is searching ways of improving relations with Europe and foreign countries.

Reminding that South Cyprus joined the European Union soon after the 2004 referenda in Cyprus, she said the Greek Cypriot Administration has been using its EU membership to block the way of all kinds of initiatives serving the interests of the Turkish Side.

`This is unacceptable` she said, adding that the Turkish Cypriot People is sometimes losing its motivation for a solution in the face of such developments.

Underlining the need to lift the international isolation on the Turkish Cypriot people and to implement the EU Direct Trade Regulation, she said such a move will encourage the Greek Cypriot Side to return to the negotiating table.

Later, the Azeri delegation was received by deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci.

In an address during the visit, Mr Avci complained that the European Union has failed to honour its promises to the Turkish Cypriot People for the past three years.

He also expressed the desire to improve the relations between the two countries further.

For his part, the Chairman of the Youth Association of the New Azerbaijan Party, Ramil Hasanov said that the aim of their visit is to learn more about the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries further.

[05] Ertugruloglu describes the developments in the occupied areas as shameful; Serdar Denktas is reportedly ready to support a CTP government

SOZCU reports also that there is a flirtation between the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Democratic Party (DP) for the establishment of a new coalition government. The paper notes that during a telephone conversation, DP leader, Serdar Denktas said that they could support a CTP government from outside, but they have some preconditions. We shall meet with the CTP and inform it about our decision.

(I/Ts.)

[06] A Turkish company is reportedly involved in the bribery issue in the occupied areas; The press sees Ahmet Yonluer behind the issue

It is argued that this company is Alarko, one of Turkeys most famous construction companies, the capital of which is mostly in the hands of Jews. It is also alleged that Variant Company has relations with Ali Sen, former president of the Fenerbahce Football Club. Turgay Avci, ORPs chairman and minister of foreign affairs filed charges at the police, but he was not taken into consideration, according to AFRIKA.

The paper notes also that the so-called prime minister, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer gave instructions to the police, but there was no result, because the police, who are bound to the Security Forces Command, did not take any order from the army commander.

AFRIKAs editor-in-chief, Sener Levent wonders the following: Is Variants director, Ahmet Ozcag, who has openly stated that he had given a two million dollar bribery to members of the ORP, the representative of Alarko in the TRNC and Central Asia? Is it true that Alarko purchased or leased a land of 400 donums (Tr. Note: A land measure of about 1000 square meters) in Aigialousa or this land was allotted to it? Whom is the army command protecting by not giving an order to the police for the arrest of the briber and the enlightening of the issue?(Full text of the article is published in Section B. Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis)

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (27.06.07) reports that Ahmet Ozcag, the director of Variant Company, called the paper from Istanbul where he is at the moment and said that when he returns to the island he will make statements on the issue.

Mr Ozcag said that he had given the two million dollars partly through Asim Vehbi, former so-called minister of environment, and partly through Ahmet Yonluer, so-called head of the religious affairs department. He alleged that Mr Yonluer was the central person in the ORP issue and that whatever Mr Yonluer says is happening.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Cakici accuses the government of acting under the guardianship of AKP and as an employee of Ankara

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Cakici noted that the coalition government was established with the insistence of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and that now it is paying the price for this.

The structure built on self-interests and benefits has collapsed, he said and argued that the government is acting upon instructions it took from Ankara and that the AKP gave the instruction nothing to be said in northern Cyprus until 22 July and the situation to be managed.

Mr Cakici said that the CTP ORP government is acting under the guardianship of AKP and as an employee of Ankara. He pointed out that it is not possible to expect democracy, rule of law, justice, equality and the Turkish Cypriots to administrate themselves under this structure.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Electricity power plant in the occupied areas is accused of creating environmental and health problems

The inhabitants of the area argue that this material causes a great environmental problem and that their health is damaged because of the power plant. The chairman of the Green Peace Movement, Dogan Sahir said that as organization they have repeatedly warned from the very first day of the construction of the power plant that it would damage the ecological structure of the area.

He noted that this power plant is based on a system which is abandoned in the rest of the world. Mr Sahir reminded that they demanded the usage of a filter in the power plant, but the officials did not accept this demand because additional expenses were needed.

(I/Ts)

[09] Press conference of the German Foreign Minister following the EU intergovernmental conference. Reference to Cyprus

"We need to be fair to all negotiating countries," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Tuesday, indirectly criticizing France, which prevented opening membership negotiations with Turkey on economic and monetary policy by showing some technical issues as a pretext.

Member states should keep their commitments, Steinmeier emphasized in a press conference held in Brussels after an intergovernmental conference attended by Turkish State Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan, German FM Steinmeier and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.

Turkey's negotiations on statistics and financial control were opened in the intergovernmental conference held at the European Council.

Negotiations with Turkey on enterprises and industrial policy were opened in March also during Germany's presidency, Steinmeier recalled in the press conference.

"We have made significant progress in negotiations with Turkey. Turkey has fulfilled many reforms and it has set a reform schedule for the future. As the EU, we support the reform process of Turkey," he noted.

Steinmeier stated that they wanted to open negotiations with Turkey on three chapters instead of two. "We expect negotiations on economic and monetary policy to be opened during the Portuguese presidency," he pointed out.

Making progress in Turkey's membership process is for the best interests of the EU, Steinmeier said.

Steinmeier underlined importance of Turkey's maintaining its path to the EU when developments in the Middle East are taken into consideration.

"We still maintain our willingness to reach a solution," he commented on direct trade regulation with Turkish Cypriots.

"I am sure that more progress will be made during Portuguese presidency of the EU. We are pleased that reforms continue in Turkey although it is election year. We expect the new government and parliament to be committed to the reform process after July elections," Olli Rehn emphasized.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] The occupation army protects briber from Turkey

Look what came to the surface when we fiddled further with the two million USD bribery issue

Alarko

Alarko is a world famous Turkish construction company a significant part of the capital of which is said to be Jewish.

Alarko is behind the Variant Company which was involved in a briberty case here.

And Ali Sen

These were the undisclosed names of the Variant company

Ahmet Ozcag is the known director of the company.

He is the man who disclosed that he gave two million USD bribe to the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) officials and he will give another two million USD

He was Alarkoīs representative here

Not only here. He was looking into Alarkoīs businesses in the central Asian Republics.

If all these are true, donīt you think that one understands better now why the briber, or the one who is claimed to have given bribe, was not arrested and interrogated by the police?

Alarko is one of the biggest companies in Turkey..

It is one of the first companies that entered Russia following the the dissolation of the Soviet Union.

It did big business in Moscow

Restoration

And new buildings.

It was well respected by the Moscow Municipality.

And now during the era of the Yes be annem (Tr. Note: This is the expression used by the present Turkish Cypriot leadership to say yes to Annan Plan) Alarko reached to Cyprus.

And like others it also selected the Karpasia

They say that it bought 400 donums of land in Aigialousa.

I cannot know whether it bought the land, or it was allocated or leased to it

Let Ferdi Sabit Soyer, who is leading the plundering of our country, disclose it

Or Mehmet Ali Talat, if he finds time from repeating the isolation, which has been worn-out by repetition

The former chairman of Fenerbance (Tr. Note famous Turkish Football club in Istanbul) Ali Sen is one of the international figures of Turkey

Wherever there is a major business contract he is there

He had done a lot of business with Russia

Russia is Ali Senīs second homeland

He acted as a go-between regarding a deal signed for Armoured Military Vehicles between Turkey and Russia in 1990īs.

If he too is behind the Variant company then you should know that the dimensions of this issue is more than expected.

Had the police arrested the Director of Variant Company who is alleged to have given two million USD bribe, and interrogated him properly, and conducted the necessary investigation, then what I have written here would have been clarified. Isnīt it?

But the police did not arrest him. Mystery?

The police should have acted immediately, the day Ahmet Ozcag disclosed the bribery case from the TV.

It is understood that the authority which will order police to arrest Ozcag, did not give this order.

Who is this authority?

The Army.

Turgay Avci complained to the police

But the police did not even pay any attention

In fact following Avciīs complaint, the police should have arrested the briber

He was again not arrested. Soyer in addition to Avci, came along and also asked Police for an investigation.

Do the police take orders from Avci or Soyer?

Can the police move an inch without getting permission from the Commander?

Each ring of our moral values chain is rusting and breaking one by one.

This is the last ring of the chain which has broken.

Bribery became normal.

It is free to declare from TV screens that one gives bribes.

If you want appear on the TV Screens and disclose to whom and how much bribe you gave

Donīt be afraid

No one will touch you.

Of course only if you have powers like Alarko and Ali Sen who are equivalent to an army. Otherwise do not even try if

[11] Sami Kohen assesses the position on the Cyprus problem from MHPs and Labour Partys election manifestos

Sami Kohen writes the following:

Cyprus: The fact that this subject is in the chapter Turkeys relation with the world gives an idea regarding MHPs point of view to the problem. In this context the following expressions are used: Turkey has obligations and conventional rights on Cyprus which stem from the founding solemn agreements which are inalienable and not disputable. The dilution of Turkeys active and effective guarantees or their being negatively influenced in the scope of a political solution, will not be acceptable in any condition MHP suggests also the re-examination of the Cyprus policy, the new conditions make imperative new principles and the signing of a defence agreement with the TRNC

Sami Kohen also comments on the positions of the Labour Party, (Isci Parti). As the author writes the party refers to Turkeys relations with the USA and the EU using general ideological views and tough slogans. The Labour Party accuses the Justice and Development Party, the Republican Peoples Party and the Nationalist Action Party of acting in the favour of the USA and calls on Turkey to make an alliance with the Middle East, including Iran, Iraq and Azerbaijan. As regards Cyprus, the party supports the following, writes Sami Kohen: In this context it is clarified that the TRNCs integration with Turkey will be materialised step by step. In the declaration it is clarified that the slogan Neither USA, nor EU, an independent Turkey was adopted in the last meetings and that the Labour Party lately is making its presence felt in Europe as well.

(CS)

EG/

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