Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-08-22

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Papadopoulos and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will meet on 5 September; Ercakica says that the Turkish side will submit no preconditions at the meeting

[02] Ercakica alleges that the withdrawal of the Turkish army from Cyprus will cause war; Avci reiterates his accusations against the Greek Cypriot side

[03] Ertugruloglu wonders what the Turkish Cypriots will gain from entering into a negotiating process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem

[04] The Turkish Cypriot political parties have reportedly agreed on amendments of the constitution

[05] Oztoprak will hold contacts in FYROM

[06] Turkish Net Holding leases Mare Monte Hotel

[07] Statement by Ercakica on the meeting with FIFA and UEFA in Zurich

[08] The occupation regime will submit an application to become member of the European Festivals Union Jose Carreras to give a concert in the framework of the International North Cyprus Music Festival

[09] Turkey, Iran agree to build three power plants

[10] Prime Minister Erdogan calls on military to stay out of politics

[11] The National Security Council convened yesterday

[12] Tycoon denies Cyprus investment, questions remain

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Papadopoulos and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will meet on 5 September; Ercakica says that the Turkish side will submit no preconditions at the meeting

In statements after a meeting he held with Mr Tasos Tzionis, chief of the Diplomatic Office of President Papadopoulos, Mr Pertev argued: As Turkish Cypriot side our aim is the commencement of the comprehensive negotiations as soon as possible and the finding of an overall solution. Within this framework we want the two leaders to meet.

Furthermore, Kibris reports that Mr Hasan Ercakica, spokesman of Mr Talat, stated that the aim of the meeting between President Papadopoulos and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will be leaving aside the delaying tactics and opening the way for overall negotiations for a solution within the framework of the 8 July process.

Our expectation from Talat-Papadopoulos meeting is to make the 8 July process go smoothly, he said. Mr Ercakica noted that the 8 July agreement was an agreement regarding the procedure aiming at leading the sides to negotiations for reaching an overall solution to the Cyprus problem.

He alleged that the agreement was not implemented because of the delaying tactics used by the Greek Cypriot side. Replying to a question, Mr Ercakica said that Mr Pertev submitted no proposal or precondition during his meeting yesterday with Mr Tzionis.

He added: We have absolutely no precondition for Talat-Papadopoulos meeting and we are not considering of having any precondition. Changes could take place in our policy according to the stance of the other side, but at the moment we are not thinking of a meeting with preconditions.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ercakica alleges that the withdrawal of the Turkish army from Cyprus will cause war; Avci reiterates his accusations against the Greek Cypriot side

Under the title Ercakica: The withdrawal of the Turkish army will cause war, the paper writes that Mr Ercakica alleged that it could be easily seen that the departure of the Turkish Armed Forces from the island will not contribute to the efforts for a solution, but in the contrary it could cause a new confusion and even a war.

Therefore, the attack of the Greek Cypriot side against the Turkish Armed Forces does not serve the efforts for a solution. On the contrary, it backs the non-solution by hiding the real reasons of the problem, he claimed replying to statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs Erato Kozakou - Markoulli. He alleged that the statements by Mrs Markoulli create tension and poison the environment.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.08.07) reports that Turgay Avci, self-styled minister of foreign affairs, has also issued a statement criticizing Mrs Markoulli. He alleged that the reason for Mrs Markoullis behaviour is the courage the Greek Cypriot side has taken from its unilateral accession into the EU. He claimed that the armament of the Greek Cypriots and the efforts for searching for petrol are steps towards spoiling the stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ertugruloglu wonders what the Turkish Cypriots will gain from entering into a negotiating process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem

In statements yesterday during his weekly press conference at the assembly, Mr Ertugruloglu wondered what the Turkish Cypriots will gain from entering into a negotiating process. What we will gain by entering into the negotiating process, in spite of the embargoes and the attacks of the Greek Cypriots against Motherland Turkey and the TRNC, asked Ertugruloglu and argued:

Should Mr Talat have not discussed all these with the political parties? He should have done this, but in our opinion Mr Talat cannot fulfil his constitutional duty as it is necessary. The UBP, as we have said before, is in favour of the negotiations and an agreement between two separate and sovereign states. Our first priority is to strengthen our state, to turn justice, law and equity into a fundamental principle, to make our state live, be recognized and secure its being accepted by ensuring our peoples commitment to it and by strengthening it. .

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Turkish Cypriot political parties have reportedly agreed on amendments of the constitution

The paper notes that after the meeting, which lasted 40 minutes, the leaders of the parties gave positive messages.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (22.08.07) refers to the issue under the title Agreement on the Constitution and reports that after the meeting for the first time, the leaders of the three parties spoke in an optimistic manner. The paper writes that the general secretaries of the parties will meet on Saturday to discuss the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Oztoprak will hold contacts in FYROM

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkish Net Holding leases Mare Monte Hotel

(I/Ts.)

[07] Statement by Ercakica on the meeting with FIFA and UEFA in Zurich

Mr Ercakica expressed the opinion that it is early to consider this initiative of FIFA for the Turkish side as a sign towards the so-called sports embargos easing off. Because we have to act knowing that in front of us there will be a Greek Cypriot side, which will show a great resistance to this and use all of its trump cards, he argued.

He added that many countries in the world are represented in FIFA by more that one federations and he gave the example of Britain from which three federations participate in FIFA.

(E/A)

[08] The occupation regime will submit an application to become member of the European Festivals Union Jose Carreras to give a concert in the framework of the International North Cyprus Music Festival

The paper also writes that the famous Spanish tenor Jose Carreras will give a concert on the 1st of September at the same theatre. Mr Carreras will be accompanied by the Izmir State Opera and Ballet Orchestra which will be conducted by the famous Spanish maestro Davit Gimenez. The Spanish tenor was supposed to give a concert in occupied Cyprus two years ago but the event was cancelled after an illness of Mr Carreras.

The Chairman of the Festivals committee Halil Kalgay stated, inter alia, that it is the fifth year that the festival is taking place. He also stated that they will submit an application to become member of the European Festival Union.

(CS)

[09] Turkey, Iran agree to build three power plants

Turkey and Iran agreed to build three power plants using natural gas to generate 6,000 megawatts of energy, Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said yesterday.

Guler's remarks came at Ankara's Esenboga airport upon his return from a two-day visit to Iran. The Turkish private sector will build three power stations in Iran under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries, said Guler.

He added that the two countries agreed to develop electricity transmission lines, which will render possible the electricity exchange. He emphasized that this electricity deal will contribute to the two countries due to the time difference. With this agreement three to six billion kilowatts per hour of electricity will be exchanged annually, at times when electricity consumption peaks.

Güler also said they agreed on the building of hydroelectric power plants in Iran by Turkish businessmen.

In Tehran, Guler met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, acting Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari and Energy Minister Parviz Fattah.

Natural gas exploration Guler said he had the opportunity to supervise studies for oil exploration in three phases in Iran's South Pars gas field and stressed that negotiations were ongoing under a preliminary agreement on the transfer of Turkmenistan natural gas to Turkey and finally to Europe via Iran.

In July, Turkey and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to produce 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas in three phases in Iran's South Pars gas field. The plans also include an agreement to use Iran as a transit country for Turkmen natural gas.

This agreement came despite objections from the United States. Washington, which has no diplomatic ties with Tehran, has openly voiced its opposition to the gas deal. But Guler's talks in Iran are aimed at consolidating energy cooperation between the two countries. Turkish news reports argued that the Turkish Foreign Ministry attempted to delay Guler's Tehran visit after opposition by the United States.

Asked about the reports, Guler said negotiations and studies in that area were scheduled earlier and continued on the basis of a timetable.

A team of Turkish officials from the Energy Ministry and the TPAO had travelled to Iran at the start of last week to prepare the technical frame for negotiations. Iran is Turkey's second-biggest natural gas supplier after Russia.

Guler said Turkey has come into the world's focus with its recent accomplishments in the energy area. The geography where Turkey is located is gaining significance as it is a transition point of natural gas, oil and electricity lines. There are developments in Egypt. Arab gas is about to be transferred again via Turkey. All of these are helping Turkey become a key energy actor in the world.

[10] Prime Minister Erdogan calls on military to stay out of politics

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reacted adversely to efforts to pull the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) into politics, saying the military should stay away from political affairs. "It [the TSK] should remain wherever it is.

All our institutions fulfil their duties set forth in the Constitution. If we pull it [the TSK] into politics, then our very existence becomes questionable. This means suggesting that we [politicians] leave the political arena to allow other institutions to run politics," he said in televised remarks, recalling that a statement made by Chief of General Staff Yasar Buyukan1t on April 12 underlined the need for compliance with the Constitution.

While noting that the reason for his party's election victory being cited as the victimization of Abdullah Gul is an injustice done to the services rendered by their government over their past four-year, nine-month term, the prime minister maintained that most of the 47 percent of votes his party secured in the elections can be attributed to the services provided by this party. Erdogan also underlined that they would not make mistakes by assuming full support from voters.

Hopefully, you will not see us making that mistake. We will not suppress minorities; we will protect their rights. We will not tolerate the domination of the minority over the majority. We are not novices in this respect. If there are groups who still look to take revenge, they may continue to live with those feelings. We will work to take Turkey to the level of a modern civilization, a target set by Ataturk. Then, no country will be able to catch up with Turkey, he said in an interview aired on Kanal D on Monday night.

Criticizing those who will not accept Gul as president, Erdogan stated that proponents of this opinion should abandon their Turkish citizenship. Unfortunately, there are some people who do not know what proper manners and etiquette are. Those who make such assertions should first abandon their Turkish citizenship; the president is the president of everybody in this country. If they do not accept this person as the president, they should assume the citizenship of a country whose president is fit for them, he said.

When reminded of claims that the president should be sincerely loyal to the republic and should be elected through consensus, Erdogan showed two maps of Turkey highlighting the provinces where his party, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), was the top winning party in the recent general elections and secured parliamentary seats from all provinces with the exception Tunceli. What does this mean? Eighty provinces reached a consensus on the AK Party, Erdogan said. When the host of the TV program, Ugur Dundar, questioned the AK Party by saying, A consensus on a presidential candidate who has sincere allegiance to the target of being at the level of a modern civilization as set by Ataturk Erdogan interrupted, saying: Who can say or claim that Abdullah Gul, who is my fellow deputy, deputy prime minister and foreign minister, is not such a person? I know Mr. Gul very well. But we cannot accept their claims or those made by the Republican Peoples Party [CHP] or its leader Deniz Baykal just because they say so.

Erdogan also explained that they will add two new state ministries to the Cabinet. One will focus on science and technology. This way, we will be able to implement e-government projects. Another important issue is our youth. We find it beneficial to have a separate state ministry that will deal with their problems, he said. Erdogan added that three deputy prime ministers will act as coordinators. One of them will work as a coordinator between ministries. One of them will be the coordinating minister in charge of the economy, while the other will coordinate relations between the government and Parliament. This will serve to accelerate our executive functions, increasing their effectiveness. We have completed the infrastructure of these initiatives, he said.

When asked whether former Parliament Speaker and Manisa deputy Bulent Ar1nç will be included in the new Cabinet, Erdogan refrained from giving a clear answer, saying, Let it remain a surprise. Concerning the changes to Cabinet, which are said to be many, Erdogan explained: Contrary to claims, there are no plans for a two-out-of-three change rate. I favour stability. When Dundar asked whether the 12 ministers will remain in their posts, he said: If you favour stability, you must make gradual changes. If you introduce a 50 percent change to a 25-minister Cabinet, this cannot be defined as stability.

Erdogan stated that many ministers will remain in their posts. Perhaps there will be changes close to one out of three, he added. When Dundar noted that, according to his understanding, eight ministers will lose their posts, Erdogan confirmed, saying: The figure may be around that. It may be eight or nine. Erdogan also hinted that he may appoint ministers from among newly elected deputies.

Erdogan also explained that his government had waged a successful war against gangs, but that the work of the security forces involved has failed to be recognized despite the fact that it was carried out in cooperation with the police, the military and the gendarmerie. He noted that there were gang members who were also involved in the military, in Parliament, in the police, in politics and in the judiciary, adding that had been found out. If it can get rid of these gangs and eliminate terrorism, then Turkey will see a sudden surge of development and improvement. Turkey is currently en route to becoming a country of peace. There is hopefully nothing that can stop us. As I stated previously, we are at the end of the runway; were about to take off, he said.

Noting that his government had made large investments in water supplies and roads to villages and towns, Erdogan explained that they will now improve the quality and increase energy capacity of water supplies. Dams are important to us, and water is the most important thing, Erdogan said, adding that they will hold a water summit following the election of the president and the formation of the new government. Erdogan also said they would separate the State Waterworks Authority (DSI) from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and move it under the umbrella of the Ministry of Environment. The environment, urban development and waterworks will all be under the same roof. The work for facilitating this is in progress, he said.

[11] The National Security Council convened yesterday

Turkey's National Security Council (MGK), country's highest board for security issues, renewed commitment "to effectively continue the fight against the terrorist organization and its supporters," MGK Secretary General's office said in a statement after Tuesday's meeting.

The Council addressed domestic and foreign developments and reviewed current measures which had been taken against terrorism, the statement said.

The Council also highlighted the importance of Iraq's unity and territorial integrity, the statement added.

[12] Tycoon denies Cyprus investment, questions remain

The news that Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich is investing in the northern Cyprus real estate market caused a stir in Russia, as RIA Novosti news agency quoted Turkish business daily Referans on the $30 million Chelsey Village project, aiming to sell luxurious villas to mainly wealthy Russians. But John Mann, the public relations chief of Millhouse LCC - the company managing assets on behalf of Abramovich and his partners - denied the story, published yesterday in both Referans and the Turkish Daily News. However, the existence of a commercial Web site promoting villa sales on the Chelsey Village, and claiming the owner of the project to be Abramovich further complicated the saga.

In a statement to the Turkish Daily News, Mann said yesterday's headline was entirely false. Neither Mr. Abramovich, nor Millhouse LLC has any real estate projects in Turkey, he said. Furthermore, no such projects are planned at present.

Looking for a lawsuit?: Talking to the TDN over the phone, Mann said they frequently battle with inaccurate stories and in the vast majority of cases, these stories serve no other purpose than to provide free publicity for projects, companies or properties associated with the sources of this information.

But a quick Web search after the phone call revealed the www.investnorthcyprus.com Web site, which included a page devoted to promoting the Chelsey Village. The Web site described the real estate project as: an exclusive new large development owned by Russian tycoon and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.

Informed of the Web site, Mann reacted by saying someone is looking for a lawsuit and claimed the information provided on the site is false. The Web site appeared to be a Spanish real estate agency, Amesbury Associates, which specializes in selling property in Spain and Cyprus to buyers from the United Kingdom. The Web site included two contact numbers - one in Spain and one in the UK - but one appeared to a fax number, whereas the other did not return calls. The TDN found two more Spanish phone numbers for the company, but they also did not reply.

EG/

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