Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-07-29

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Esat Oktay Yildiran: I am the man who chopped off in Cyprus the head of a Greek Cypriot child in front of the eyes of his father and drunk his blood as wine

[02] The British High Court rejected the application submitted by the illegal Turkish Cypriot Airlines for carrying out direct flights between the UK and the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[03] The ECHR accepted the amicable agreement reached between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot refugee Andromahi Alexandrou

[04] The Turkish Cypriot travel agents are applying to the ECHR for alleged threats made by Greek Cypriots to European travel agents who carry tourists to the occupied areas of the island

[05] The new package for occupied Vokolida area will be coordinated by a person bound to State Minister Cemil Cicek

[06] Report relating to Amaranta Valley in occupied Cyprus has been revealed

[07] We gave him money to finish Amaranta

[08] The self-styled Turkish Cypriot Shooting Federation revoked the licenses of Turkish Cypriot athletes who participated in games in the free areas of Cyprus

[09] Serdar Denktas argued that the recent statements of Carl Bildt on the Cyprus problem reflect the realities

[10] The police seized the passport and identity card of a Turkish Cypriot who was carrying the flag of the Republic of Cyprus

[11] A Bigmac restaurant was opened in the occupied part of Lefkosia

[12] Oya Talat returned from Abkhazia describing her contacts as lobbying activities which the TRNC needs

[13] Ozugergin: Turkey conducts geological research in East Mediterranean within Turkish Continental shelf

[14] Turkey urges more steps against PKK

[15] Former DEP deputy Leyla Zana sentenced to 15 months in prison

[16] Sixth lieutenant arrested in the case of assassination plot against admirals

[17] Turkish paper claims that Israeli Jews are trying to buy land in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Esat Oktay Yildiran: I am the man who chopped off in Cyprus the head of a Greek Cypriot child in front of the eyes of his father and drunk his blood as wine

Under the title The most special Pasha has gone with his secrets the paper refers to the death of former Turkish Land Forces Commander and former head of the Special War Office, retired General Kemal Yamak, who also was the commander of the 7th Army Corps and the martial law imposed on Diyarbakir region during the 12 September 1980 military coup, who was also responsible for the infamous Diyarbakir prison well known for its tortures meted out to the Kurdish inmates.

The paper writes: Major Esat Oktay Yildiran who served in Cyprus together with General Kemal Yamak is the responsible commander of the Diyarbakir prison. The tortures meted out to the inmates are carried out within the chain of command. An inmate told the AKTÜEL magazine about Major Esat Oktay Yildirans first acquaintance to the inmates with the following words: I do remember very well Esat Oktay Yildirans opening part of his address delivered on 24 February 1981 to the inmates of the 35th prison ward where there are cells of the revolting inmates. He said: Listen to me! I have been appointed here with the direct orders of the Office of the Chief of the General Staff. My name is Esat Oktay Yildiran. I am the man who chopped off in Cyprus the head of a Greek Cypriot child in front of the eyes of his father and drunk his blood as wine

(MHY)

[02] The British High Court rejected the application submitted by the illegal Turkish Cypriot Airlines for carrying out direct flights between the UK and the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Pointing out that in this manner the application submitted for lifting the direct flight embargo implemented for 35 years has been unsuccessful, the paper writes that the British government stressed that lifting the prohibition would be contrary to the Chicago Convention regarding the Civil Aviation.

Halkin Sesi notes that approximately 100 thousand tourists travel every year from Britain to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus. The paper asked from the self-styled minister of public works and transport, Hasan Tacoy to comment on the decision of the British Court. Mr Tacoy accused the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat and said: The day before yesterday the same thing happened and president Talat made a statement. Today the same thing happened. Let him make a statement now as well.

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (29.07.09) refers to the issue under the banner front-page title Cold shower for the direct flights and reports that the way in which the result of the case was announced caused surprise. The paper notes that the decision was published on the website of the BBC before being received by the lawyers of the plaintiffs.

The London director of the illegal KTHY, Atala Uluturk told the paper that he had nothing to say until receiving from their lawyers a definite answer. The same stance was exhibited by the self-styled representative of the breakaway regime in the British capital, Kemal Koprulu, who was contented with noting that he has nothing to say until receiving the official decision.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (29.07.09) refers to the issue under the banner front-page title Rejection for the direct flights and points out that after the verdict on the Orams case another decision against the TRNC, which is subject to unjust embargoes, came out from the British judicial system.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The ECHR accepted the amicable agreement reached between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot refugee Andromahi Alexandrou

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (29.07.09) refers to the issue under the title Approval to the agreement from the ECHR.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Turkish Cypriot travel agents are applying to the ECHR for alleged threats made by Greek Cypriots to European travel agents who carry tourists to the occupied areas of the island

(I/Ts.)

[05] The new package for occupied Vokolida area will be coordinated by a person bound to State Minister Cemil Cicek

The paper notes also that the aim of the breakaway regime is to facilitate the transportation of the tourists to occupied Vokolida area. Within this framework, ship journeys three times every week are planned to start between Israel and the illegal port of occupied Famagusta. Six hundred tourists are expected to be carried with these trips. Furthermore, as of next year around six thousand tourists are expected to be brought from Italy through tour operators with whom agreement has already been reached. Meanwhile, Pegasus Airlines increased to seven its flights from Britain every week. An increase of 15% is expected from this development. Moreover, direct flights from Bursa and Kayseri started after Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. The target is for direct flights from 13-14 Turkish cities to be secured. Furthermore, after the trips from Latakia-Syria, on 15 June trips between Israel and Famagusta started three times a week with a ship which has bus seats. The three day-tours are being organized with the ship under the name of Med-Dream for 600 persons, writes the paper.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (29.07.09) reports that the travel agents who carry tourists from Syria to the occupied areas of Cyprus with the trips from Latakia organized every Monday and Thursday by Akgunler 3 ferryboat of the Akgunler Maritime Company, are now laying hands on the Iraqi market. The paper notes that the journeys with ferryboat between the occupied areas and Syria started giving positive results. The travel agents are now preparing to carry tourists from Iraq to the occupied areas, reports Kibrisli.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Report relating to Amaranta Valley in occupied Cyprus has been revealed

The government is being urged to play a major part in a multi-million-pound rescue package for buyers who invested in troubled Aga Construction sites in North Cyprus.

A report prepared for the TRNC government reveals that there remain a significant number of unsold plots and properties both at Amaranta Valley and a number of smaller sites across North Cyprus.

One of the main problems for a rescue deal is that Aga Construction, owned by Gary Robb, currently in the UK facing serious drugs charges, built and sold a significant number of properties on land registered to non-Aga landowners.

The revelations come as former prime minster Ferdi Sabit Soyer has confirmed that his government gave Robb cash to help finish off homes.

The estimated price tag for finishing Amaranta Valley alone is put at £11 million.

The United Aga Buyers Projct, led by the HomeBuyers Pressure Group, is urging the government to nationalize Aga Constructions land, homes plus cash and personal assets.

It says it could get about £1.6 million in tax revenues from buyers alone. There are likely to be significant additional revenues for the state in terms of water and electricity and the group argues each buyer with families would spend about £25,000 annually in the TRNC on goods and services.

It believes that sorting out a path where Aga buyers who want to proceed get their homes built, finished and their kocans (title deeds), and those who dont get refunds, will make it attractive for a developer to come in and finish the projects.

It adds that title transfer is a major issue where Aga has not met its obligations to landowners. Only three title deeds have been issued to Aga buyers in nine years.

Mike Bezzant, who is one of the co-authors of the report, admitted it was a chicken and egg situation.

But he believes, with government backing, buyers who have risked everything to buy an Aga property could see their investment returned or realized. Amaranda Valley has had the highest profiled focus, and this is only natural as it is the biggest site, but the whole Aga Construction issue needs a solution, he told Cyprus Today.

There is a whole host of land not in Gary Robbs name. Until we get the government on board there is little we can do.

Mr Bezzant and HBPG founder Marian Stokes are set for a meeting with ministers this week or next to discuss a possible solution. The report is believed to claim 87 buyers at Amaranta want to have homes built, while 90 want refunds. At Hz Omer, 68 buyers want to have their homes completed and await Kocans, while four buyers need refunds after their properties were double-sold.

For the other Aga sites there are more than 150 buyers who have paid some or all of their money. Some require refunds, others have completed homes and are just waiting for title deeds.

The United Aga Buyers Project wants the government to appoint a law firm to oversee any rescue package.

The government would be asked to provide mains water and electricity, and help complete infrastructure, provide full information on legal issues affecting each site and divide land to allow easier transfer of title deeds.

[07] We gave him money to finish Amaranta

Former Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has broken his silence over the so-called Aga saga.

In an exclusive interview with Cyprus Today, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader revealed his government gave Gary Robb money to finish off a raft of incomplete properties, including the stalled Amaranta Valley project.

Mr Soyer also claimed the National Unity Party (UBP) and Democrat Party (DP) coalition government had given Robb citizenship without completing the required security investigation.

And Mr Soyer argued one of the reasons for agreeing to Robbs deportation back to the UK to face serious drugs charges in January was to force him to transfer £1 million to £2 million he claimed to have in British bank accounts.

He blamed Robb for single-handedly creating a crisis in confidence in the TRNC housing sector after failing to complete the high-profile Amaranta Valley housing estate.

Previously, Cyprus Today had revealed Mr Soyer after losing the general election in April had told Aga Construction customers that he had refused requests by the British government to extradite Robb because he wanted him to finish off Amaranta Valley and other Aga sites.

We made many legal efforts, including financial aid, to help him finish his works and answer the property owners grievances, but Robb failed, said Mr Soyer.

I met with Robb after he fled to Thailand and came back to the island. He was in hard times economically and made his proposals to the Council of Ministers. As part of his proposal, he said he wanted to come back to the TRNC and finish his incomplete work. We gave him the chance.

His [bank] accounts had been confiscated, but we authorized the Attorney General to control his accounts to allow him to finish his incomplete homes here.

Mr Soyer, whose party slumped to less than a third of the votes in April and who survived a party leadership bid in June, said he was surprised by UBP claims that his government were the main suspects in the Aga saga.

It is funny. They should look in the mirror first and realize what they have done to the country.

In February, politicians who made up the Council of Ministers in November 2002 when Robb was officially granted citizenship, denied it had been their decision. Subsequently, a leading civil servant, Mustafa Kiracioglu, then under-secretary of the Interior Ministry, argued that the Council of Ministers had put its seal of approval on the citizenship bid.

There were also rumors that the government had ignored a military report urging Robbs application be refused.

Mr Soyer said this was true, adding: It was a choice made by the government and as a result Robb gained citizenship.

The major mistake made by the previous UBP government was allowing Robbs constructions to be built on state land. Our government changed the status of those title deeds and guaranteed them for property owners name.

Robb, on the run from serious drugs charges in England since 1997, had been hiding out in North Cyprus which has not official extradition treaty with the UK before founding Aga Construction in 1999.

He built numerous small scale housing projects, before turning to Hz Omer in Catalkoy [occupied Ayios Epiktitos] and then Amaranta Valley, in the hills above Arapkoy [occupied Klepini]. Initially, he planned Amaranta Valley to be a self-contained community, with homes, shops, hotels, restaurants and bars.

But the money ran out and he disappeared to Thailand in 2005, a year after work started on Amaranta, amid claims he had transferred money out of the country. He has since maintained he made sure people knew he was going to Thailand and had nothing to hide, a version of events denied by Mr Soyer and the government of the day.

He even had a child with a Thai woman during his time away from North Cyprus. He has four children with his wife, Aga, who remained behind.

Dream homes at Amaranta remain shells and nowhere near finished. Robb claimed he had made strenuous efforts to finish off the scheme, but fresh starts on the site ran to naught quickly, with companies brought in to do the work claiming they were owed tens of thousands of pounds before downing tools.

Mr Soyer said Robb was unfortunate. He was treated unfairly in his relationships with other businessmen. He had plenty of court cases against him, which affected his business badly.

Robb, currently on trial for serious drugs charges, has said he plans to sue Mr Soyer, former economy minister Ahmet Uzun and an official from the government for his illegal extradition, claiming $50 million in damages. But Mr Soyer said: I have not been informed about this case officially.

The decision came from the government and if Robb wants to sue it should be the TRNC itself. He must also think about the damage he did to the TRNCs reputation.

He created such a crisis of confidence between expats and the TRNC government.

Robb had not been given his citizenship back on his return from Thailand, but in May won a court case to get it restored. However, last month, the UBP government revoked it again.

Robb had claimed that the former CTP-led government had seized his assets and not returned key machinery to him.

Some of it was released in December, but Robb argued it was damaged and not in a fit state for use.

He also claimed that the government had put up obstacle after obstacle to prevent him finishing off work on his housing sites.

Cyprus Today revealed in November that Mr Soyer, then prime minister, had ruled out a government-sponsored rescue plan for Amaranta Valley and other Aga sites.

But the government was considering funding up to £3 million of work, including taking mains electricity and water to Amaranta Valley, and finishing off roads at the site. The money was due to be paid back by Robb once the development was completed.

[08] The self-styled Turkish Cypriot Shooting Federation revoked the licenses of Turkish Cypriot athletes who participated in games in the free areas of Cyprus

The shooters who are TRNC citizens and have license in South Cyprus and do not participate in the national team of South Cyprus should postpone these licenses until 31.12.2009. Otherwise, their TRNC licenses will not be renewed in 2010. The approval of the federation is needed in order for the athletes to participate with individual or club licenses in shooting activities of another country. The revocation of the licenses and the duties which the citizens, who participated in the Greek Cypriot National Shooting Team and the Greek Cypriot Federation, had in the TRNC Shooting Federation, has been decided as of 23 July. Within the framework of this decision, it has been decided that adjustments will be made to the regulations of the federation.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Serdar Denktas argued that the recent statements of Carl Bildt on the Cyprus problem reflect the realities

(I/Ts.)

[10] The police seized the passport and identity card of a Turkish Cypriot who was carrying the flag of the Republic of Cyprus

When Mr Basdogrultmaci replied to the Turkish lieutenant that he is Cypriot, the latter told him to throw away the flag of the infidels and take a Turkish flag. He even tried to take the flag from Mr Basdogrultmaci by force. The paper writes that the police considered that only Basdogrultmaci was responsible for the incident and arrested only him. The police passed charges against Basdogrultmaci, seized his passport and identity card and set him free on bail. They also searched his house and confiscated badges of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) and AKEL.

(I/Ts.)

[11] A Bigmac restaurant was opened in the occupied part of Lefkosia

The mayor of Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari, businessman Mehmet Cangar and well-known personalities of the TRNC were among those who preferred Bigmac. Cemal Bulutoglulari said they thank the entrepreneurs who give life to the commercial life in the TRNC. Stating that Bigmac will meet a great need, Bulutoglulari said that now the people of the TRNC would not have to go to the South to eat hamburger. Businessman Mehmet Cangar congratulated Osman Gazioglu, Bigmacs general director, who brought the Bigmac taste to the TRNC.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Oya Talat returned from Abkhazia describing her contacts as lobbying activities which the TRNC needs

Speaking on her return from Abkhazia, Mrs Talat stated that they achieved better results than they expected from their first visit to Abkhazia and that they were very satisfied from their contacts. Mrs Talat said that the efforts towards cooperation will not stop here and wished for these efforts to continue through the NGOs.

Emphasizing the similarities of the two countries, she stated that particularly the universities and the trade sector should develop their relations with this area and they should search for cooperation opportunities. Mrs Talat said that the visit and the contacts they had were, in a sense, lobbying activities something that the TRNC needs. She noted that such activities should be developed with the support of the so-called state.

(EA)

[13] Ozugergin: Turkey conducts geological research in East Mediterranean within Turkish Continental shelf

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said on Tuesday that Turkish Petroleum Corp. (TPAO) had conducted geophysical research activities in the Eastern Mediterranean within the Turkish continental shelf between November 14-18, 2008.

When reminded that the permits given to TPAO for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in Turkey's maritime jurisdiction areas in the Eastern Mediterranean were still being widely covered by the Greek media, and asked his views, Ozugergin said, "the Council of Ministers Decrees, dated July 30, 2008, allowing TPAO to conduct geological research and oil exploration/exploitation activities in the Eastern Mediterranean have been published in the Turkish Official Gazette on July 16, 2009."

"Those areas for which research and exploitation permits were issued by the said decrees entirely fall within the Turkish continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean where Turkey's exclusive sovereign rights for exploration and exploitation of its natural resources prevail," he noted.

Ozugergin said: "Accordingly, TPAO had conducted geophysical research activities within those maritime jurisdiction areas of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean between November 14-18, 2008."

[14] Turkey urges more steps against PKK

After Tuesdays tripartite talks in Ankara, Interior Minister Besir Atalay says Turkey wants to see concrete action by Iraq in the fight against the PKK.

Progress has been made since establishing a trilateral mechanism involving senior Turkish, Iraqi and U.S. officials to combat the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, but Turkey has more expectations, Interior Minister Besir Atalay said Tuesday.

A ministerial-level meeting of the trilateral mechanism took place in Ankara and was chaired by Turkeys Atalay, Iraqi State Minister for National Security Shirwan al-Waili, and deputy commander of Iraqs multinational force, Steven Hummer.

Turkey always has expectations. We expect more concrete results, Atalay told a joint press conference with the Iraqi minister. We believe that the trilateral mechanism will yield more concrete results, Atalay said.

He said the progress made in the fight against the PKK since the November 2008 meeting of the mechanism, as well as future steps, were discussed at the meeting. The next committee talks will take place in Baghdad in October, Atalay said.

From the Iraqi perspective, we are putting weight on the issue and seriously working on it, al-Waili said. This is our duty. According to the Iraqi constitution, Iraqi territory cannot be used for attacks against any neighboring country. The implementation of this article is diligently pursued by Iraqi authorities, he said.

The Iraqi minister said the presence of any element that poses a threat to Turkey was a source of concern for Iraq. Terror is a threat for both Turkey and Iraq. Our cooperation will continue until the presence of the terrorist organization is ended, he said.

He made clear that tripartite talks would bear results as long as the work continued and the doors of dialogue were kept open. I have no doubt that the trilateral mechanism will reach desired results, al-Waili said.

Makhmour camp on agenda

Differing from what Turkish officials said earlier, the future of a U.N. camp in northern Iraq was discussed during tripartite talks.

Turkey said the camp that houses 13,000 refugees who fled to Iraq in the early 1990s during the clashes between Turkish security forces and the PKK is used by the terrorist group for logistical, rehabilitation and recruitment purposes. Turkey wants the camp to be shut down.

In response to a question, Atalay said without elaborating: We discussed the Makhmour camp and other issues as a whole. This issue is on our agenda. We are examining. There is a need for more analysis, information exchange and evaluations.

Turkey demands more than one list

When asked about a PKK list that was requested from Iraqi authorities, Atalay said Turkey had some other requests and lists too. We are examining all of them. We are diligently working, he said.

Al-Waili acknowledged that the Turkish side requested more than the list, adding that relevant Iraqi units were working nonstop on the issue, as was the Regional Kurdish Administration in northern Iraq.

On the Turkish governments Kurdish plan, Atalay said that work was ongoing and that he would soon brief the press about the details. The Iraqi minister declined to comment on the issue, saying that it was a Turkish domestic affair.

Iraqi uneasiness.

In the meantime, an alleged meeting between Turkish officials and Iraqi insurgents became a source of uneasiness for Baghdad. The Iraqi side conveyed its discomfort to Ankara at the tripartite talks.

In Washington last week, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said the Iraqi government found it shocking that representatives of the Iraqi resistance movement met Turkish officials and at least one U.S. official last spring.

We, the Iraqi government, were amazed that representatives from the American and Turkish sides met with representatives from those groups, he was quoted as saying, adding that the insurgent groups adopt violence and terrorism.

[15] Former DEP deputy Leyla Zana sentenced to 15 months in prison

Former lawmaker of dissolved Democracy Party (DEP), Leyla Zana, was sentenced to 15 months in prison because of a speech she had made at SOAS of the University of London.

At the final hearing of the case at 4th Diyarbakir High Criminal Court, Zana's lawyers argued that Zana's speech was not propaganda but mere assessment of the situation and asked the court to drop charges against Zana.

The judges sentenced Zana to 16 months of imprisonment according to Article 7/2 of the Counter Terror Law for making propaganda of a terrorist organization but lowered the sentence to 15 months due to good conduct at court.

The prosecutors had asked the court to sentence Zana to 5 years of imprisonment.

[16] Sixth lieutenant arrested in the case of assassination plot against admirals

One more lieutenant who had been detained in the case of the assassination attempt against two Navy admirals has been arrested. He had been detained in Golcuk on 27 July and taken to the Central Command. Early this morning, he was brought to Istanbul where he was questioned by a prosecutor and referred to court. He has been arrested on charges of belonging to an illegal organization. This brings the number of lieutenants arrested in the case to six. All six lived in a house where the security forces found 500 grams of TNT, several drugs, and the alleged assassination plan.

[17] Turkish paper claims that Israeli Jews are trying to buy land in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

The report asserts that the occupation regime have consented to Jewish groups' "attractive proposals" because of the pressures of ongoing so-called international embargos against the occupation regime.

EG/

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