Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-03-08

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] ECHR ruling on the Immovable Property Commission established by Turkey in occupied Cyprus

[02] Written statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry over ECHR decision. Statements by Ahmet Davutoglu from Spain

[03] Talat, Eroglu and Rauf Denktas commented on the ECHRs decision. Talat thanked Gul over the phone for Turkeys support to the illegal regime during the legal process at the ECHR

[04] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press covered the decision by ECHR on the Immovable Property Commission established by Turkey in occupied Cyprus

[05] Turkish Cypriot lawyer says the law regarding the Immovable Property Commission set up by Turkey in the occupied areas of Cyprus prevents many Greek Cypriots to file an application

[06] Ankara continues meddling in the elections in occupied Cyprus; Press reports that it secured for Talat to receive an invitation by Hillary Clinton

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that the UN is considering of punishing the Greek Cypriots and of withdrawing the position for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, if the negotiations come to a dead-end again

[08] Illegal regime to open a new representative office in Sweden in May

[09] Talat announced his candidacy for the so called presidential elections

[10] KADEM and RedBorder surveys show Eroglu and UBP as the winners of the so-called presidential elections in occupied Cyprus

[11] Ertugruloglu and Avci visited Ankara for contacts with Turkish officials. Eroglu is going to Istanbul and they will all hold a meeting with Erdogan

[12] Eroglu reiterated that they cannot give up on two separate states

[13] Turkish TUSIAD held contacts in the occupation regime and expressed its support to the negotiation process

[14] KTTO delegation calls on the immediate implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation during contacts with EU officials in Brussels

[15] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry asks for co-operation and joint investments from Turkish businessmen

[16] Turkish Cabinet to discuss a road map on the bilateral relations between Turkey and the USA

[17] Turkish Workers Party re-established in Turkey

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[18] Columnist in Hurriyet Daily News.com alleges that Turkey is working for Talats re-election and supports that a third candidate would upset the balance

[19] From the Turkish Press of 05, 06, 07 of March 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] ECHR ruling on the Immovable Property Commission established by Turkey in occupied Cyprus

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Friday ruled that Greek Cypriots are required to apply first to a Turkish Cypriot property commission before they seek redress at the ECHR for immovable properties they left behind in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The ECHR's ruling on eight cases affirms the authority of the Turkish Cypriot Immovable Property Commission as an effective domestic remedy and it sets a precedent for some other 1,500 similar suits before the ECHR. The ruling orders the applicants to exhaust all local legal remedies before they apply to the ECHR.

The court said the applications on these eight cases were inadmissible, highlighting that the Turkish Cypriot commission was an appropriate domestic body, with access to the relevant information, and a clearly the more appropriate forum for deciding on complex matters of property ownership and valuation and assessing financial compensation.

Over 450 Greek Cypriot applications have been made to the Turkish Cypriot commission with nearly 100 of them have been settled. The commission ordered for some 40 million pounds of compensation up to now.

[02] Written statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry over ECHR decision. Statements by Ahmet Davutoglu from Spain

The top European courts recognition of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) as a valid domestic judicial remedy whose jurisdiction extends to Greek Cypriots is a historic decision that needs to be well comprehended, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has remarked.

Fridays judgment by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) means that from now on Greek Cypriots will not be able to launch court cases against Turkey at the European court prior to seeking redress with the IPC and sets a precedent for approximately 1,500 property cases pending at the European court. The ruling is significant in that for the first time a Turkish Cypriot commission has been recognized by Europes top human rights court, boosting the international legitimacy of the KKTC.

The judgment should play a 'facilitating and positive role' in the ongoing UN-led reunification negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the divided island, Davutoglu said. He was speaking to Turkish journalists on Saturday in Cordoba where he attended a working dinner with foreign ministers of other European Union candidate countries during an informal half-yearly meeting of EU foreign ministers.

'Along the negotiation process, certain progress had been made about governance issues. From now on, [the judgment] will provide a significant advantage in regard to arriving at a fairer solution on property issues, ' Davutoglu said. Property disputes are considered one of the most difficult topics to negotiate.

The Foreign Ministry, in a written statement released late on Friday, emphasized that 'it is imperative to handle the property issue, which constitutes the most complex aspect of the Cyprus problem, as a whole in a comprehensive settlement and to solve this issue within the UN parameters.

Reiterating Ankaras support for the comprehensive settlement negotiations on the island conducted under the auspices of the UN within this understanding, the ministry, however, noted: 'Despite the efforts of the Turkish side to reach a just and lasting solution as soon as possible, the Greek Cypriot leadership fails to show the same determination. We believe, by drawing necessary lessons from the judgment of the ECHR, the Greek Cypriot Administration will eventually realize that all aspects of the Cyprus question, including the property issue, should be solved through negotiations with the KKTC.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.03.10) reported the following from Cordoba:

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Saturday that the problems prevailing in the Middle East could only be settled through dialogue.

Davutoglu who attended the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Spain, known as Gyminch, made comments to reporters after the meeting.

Davutoglu said Turkey was ready to do everything within its reach to open channels of dialogue in the Middle East.

Davutoglu welcomed the recent active role in the Middle East assumed by the EU, noting that it could contribute more. He said the EU wanted work closely with Turkey in this respect, noting that Turkey would share its views and perspective with the EU.

Davutoglu said he would soon have a meeting with the High Representative of the European Union (EU) and Vice-President of the European Commission, Catherie Ashton.

Commenting on the recent decision by which the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) showed the Immovable Property Commission in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as the legitimate address for the property claims of Greek Cypriots, Davutoglu regarded it as a very significant development that could facilitate the discussion of property topic under the ongoing extensive settlement talks in the island.

He said with the decision of the ECHR recognized the right of the TRNC to exercise judiciary sovereignty.

He said that he also had a meeting with Deputy Greek Foreign Minister Dimitri Droukas and discussed the future steps to be taken in regard to Turkish- Greek relations in the future.

Davutoglu said a joint committee meeting between the foreign ministries of the two countries would be held soon to review the bilateral relations.

He said Droukas would visit Turkey shortly which would be followed by a visit by Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Greece.

[03] Talat, Eroglu and Rauf Denktas commented on the ECHRs decision. Talat thanked Gul over the phone for Turkeys support to the illegal regime during the legal process at the ECHR

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.03.10) reported the following from Ankara: Presidents of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had a phone conversation on Friday after a recent decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on property ownership in Cyprus, officials said.

Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat called Turkish President Abdullah Gul and the two presidents discussed the ruling that said an appropriate domestic body was clearly the more appropriate forum for deciding on complex matters of property ownership in the island and valuation and assessing financial compensation. Gul and Talat agreed that ECHR decision was a significant legal win, officials said. Talat also thanked Gul for Turkey's support to TRNC during legal process at ECHR.

Commenting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (07.03.10) publishes statements made by Dervis Eroglu, self-styled prime minister of the occupation regime, who stated that the decision of the ECHR to recognize an organization of the TRNC is very important. He also stated that for this issue a lot of efforts have been exerted by Turkeys president and government and the Turkish ambassadors to the EU.

Mr Eroglu also said that they had received signs that such a decision was to be taken some time ago and noted that they are very pleased from it since it is very important for the TRNC. He notes however, that this development does not mean that the negotiations on the Cyprus problem will end up victorious since there are six more chapters at the negotiations table. He also said that there are some people who want to create a positive atmosphere for the solution of the Cyprus problem by this decision. However, we are not at this point, he stated.

Moreover, under the title The door opened for the return of Greek Cypriot properties, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.03.10) reports on statements made by the former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas on the decision issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the Immovable Property Commission.

Rauf Denktas who is in Denizli, Turkey in order to participate as a quest at a panel in a conference entitled European Union and the Cyprus problem has stated to Ankara Anatolia news agency that the ECHR has recognized the Immovable Property Commission as subordinate to Turkey. The ECHR by the recognition of the Immovable Property Commission as an efficient domestic legal remedy, has opened the door to the Greek Cypriots for the return of their properties in the north, Mr. Denktas said and added that the commission is a remedy which recognised the rights given by the laws of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as null.

(CS/ML)

[04] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press covered the decision by ECHR on the Immovable Property Commission established by Turkey in occupied Cyprus

KIBRIS: ECHR showed the right direction and writes that from now on, the Greek Cypriots who have abandoned their properties in the north are obliged to apply to the TRNC Immovable Property Commission.

AFRIKA: The Greek Cypriot law-suit cases assign to the Commission and writes that some of the news agencies in Turkey have described the decision as Decision for the TRNC as a Turkish delight by ECHR. The paper, yet, drew attention to the fact that the decision issued by ECHR recognised the commission as a domestic legal remedy of Turkey and not of the illegal regime.

HAVADIS: The right policy was the winner and writes from now on, the Greek Cypriots will not apply to ECHR for their properties in the north, but to the Immovable Property Commission in the Saray square in Lefkosia.

YENI DUZEN: Historic decision and writes that ECHR recognised the Immovable Property Commission in the north of Cyprus as an effective domestic legal remedy.

HABERDAR: It exploded in their hands and describes it as the Orams revanche for the TRNC. A cold shower for the Greek Cypriots by ECHR.

HALKIN SESI: Significant victory at ECHR.

KIBRISLI: Historic decision at ECHR! and writes that ECHR has recognised the decision regarding the Immovable Property Commission as a step taken for the inclusion of the TRNC in the international law.

STAR KIBRIS: ECHR turned down the Greek Cypriots.

VATAN: Is it enough? and writes that ECHR has this time issued a decision in favour of the TRNC. The Greek Cypriots will not file law-suit cases to ECHR for property cases, yet, the decision foresees the return of properties.

YENI VOLKAN: Important decision by ECHR. The ECHR recognised the immovable Property Commission as a domestic legal remedy

DEMOCRAT BAKIS: Historic decision. ECHR closed the door to the Greek Cypriots.

CYPRUS TODAY: Turkish Cypriot victory at ECHR and writes that the Greek Cypriots must apply to Norths commission court.

The Turkish press covered ECHR ruling over the Immovable Property Commission as follows:

CUMHURIYET (06.03.10): Foreign Ministry: The ECHR affirmed the legal system operating in the TRNC.

CUMHURIYET (07.03.10): The Greek Cypriots are opposed to the ECHRs ruling.

HURRIYET (06.03.10): Go to the courts in the TRNC.

HURRIYET (07.03.10): The ECHRs ruling has been the greatest victory since 1974.

Hurriyet Daily News.com (07.03.10): European Court decision saves Turkey 23 billion euros

ZAMAN (07.03.10): Davutoglu: ECHRs decision is the affirmation of the legal is sovereignty of the TRNC.

ZAMAN (07.03.10): Talat: The decision secured equal support for a settlement.

ZAMAN (07.03.10): The Greek Cypriots are enraged with ECHR.

VATAN (online 05.03.10): A historic decision by ECHR.

MILLIYET (07.03.10): The Greek Cypriots lost their biggest trump card.

MILLIYET (06.03.10): ECHRs blow to the Greek Cypriot sector.

RADIKAL (06.03.10): A blow to the Greek Cypriots regarding property.

RADIKAL (06.03.10) newspaper under the title A plan for five billion euro for the Greek Cypriots property demands, reports that Ankara informed ECHR and the European Council that the value of the Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus is five billion euro.

YENI SAFAK: A historic decision regarding property cases in the TRNC.

SABAH (06.03.10): The historic ruling of ECHR erased Loizidous tracks in Cyprus.

(ML/DPs.)

[05] Turkish Cypriot lawyer says the law regarding the Immovable Property Commission set up by Turkey in the occupied areas of Cyprus prevents many Greek Cypriots to file an application

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Mamali points out that the law prevents many Greek Cypriots to appeal to the commission. These are all Greek Cypriots whose occupied property is given to Turkish Cypriots as property of equivalent value in return of the property they abandoned in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, or on whose property a construction is built or a military installation exists.

Mr Mamali says also, inter alia, the following: Moreover, the law relates the compensation right to the condition of denouncing the ownership of the property. However, the ECHR adjudicates upon paying compensation to the Greek Cypriots without their ownership right to be harmed. In the light of the existing international law and court decisions (especially the [decisions of the] ECJ and the ECHR), the recognition of the right of all Greek Cypriots who abandoned property in the north to appeal to the commission and also the condition for denouncing their ownership right when compensation will be paid to them must definitely be removed from the law. Otherwise, these matters might be used against us in the future and the Ownership Right which is in European Convention of Human Rights will be violated.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ankara continues meddling in the elections in occupied Cyprus; Press reports that it secured for Talat to receive an invitation by Hillary Clinton

Noting that the invitation is for the end of March, that is, in the middle of the election campaign, the paper reports that Hasan Ercakica, Mr Talats spokesman, confirmed information published in the Greek Cypriot press which noted that Mrs Clinton has sent an invitation to Mr Talat. Mr Ercakica argued Mr Talat has not decided yet whether to accept the invitation and noted that he will hold some consultations before making his mind up. These consultations will be related both to the timetable of the elections and the character of the invitation as well as with other things, he added.

Afrika writes that Ankara continues to meddle in the elections held in the occupied areas of Cyprus and points out that first Prime Minister Erdogan sent the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon to the island, while afterwards he arranged the visits of Mr Talat to Italy and Spain. Now he secured for Talat to receive an invitation from the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, writes the paper adding that all these are strengthening the image that Ankara supports Talat.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that the UN is considering of punishing the Greek Cypriots and of withdrawing the position for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, if the negotiations come to a dead-end again

The sources, which stressed the unwillingness of the Greek Cypriots on the issue of the negotiations and the solution, note that if the negotiations come to a dead-end again, the UN is considering of withdrawing from the table the position for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. The diplomatic sources are drawing the attention to the fact that the position expressed by Alvaro de Soto that the Turkish and Greek Cypriots do not want a federal solution will be proved to be right and that the launching of new solution quests for Cyprus will be inevitable after the negotiations enter into an impasse. Warnings are made that after the negotiations enter into an impasse the lifting of the isolations and the options of the integration of north Cyprus with Turkey or the recognition will come onto the agenda. Moreover, the UN officials started saying that in case of an impasse, the withdrawal of the soldiers of the Peace Force is on the agenda. If the negotiations enter again into an impasse, the Greek Cypriots will be forced to pay the price of the non-solution this time. All these developments show the concrete results of the pro-solution policy followed by Turkey and Talat in the negotiating process and register a great political success.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Illegal regime to open a new representative office in Sweden in May

It has been announced that a new TRNC representative office will be opened in Sweden. TRNC Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun who gave a conference at Ankara Universitys Faculty of Political Sciences announced the plans to open the TRNC Sweden Representative Office in May.

Commenting on the Cyprus Problem, the TRNC Foreign Minister said that a solution in Cyprus would not be possible before solving the guarantorship and property issues, adding that these two issues were the most complicated and were the deepest disagreements existed between the two sides.

Explaining that the solution of the Cyprus problem would only be possible within the UN framework, he said it is impossible for the TRNC government to accept the EU as neutral and impartial since it had accepted the Greek Cypriot side into the bloc before a settlement was reached on the island.

Mr. Ozgurgun also stressed that the TRNC Foreign Ministry is continuing its effort to voice the rightful cause of the Turks of Cyprus with eighteen representative offices abroad.

[09] Talat announced his candidacy for the so-called presidential elections

President Mehmet Ali Talat announced his candidacy for the 18th of April Presidential elections last night. Mr. Talat announced his candidacy officially with a rally organized by the Mehmet Ali Talat Election Platform at the [occupied] Lefkosia Ataturk Sport Center.Speaking there, Mehmet Ali Talat said that during the 18th of April Presidential elections, the Turks of Cyprus would be making a decision regarding their future. He said five years ago we had started a new era. Now we have gathered here today to bring this even further. This is a great meeting and we have no intentions of stopping half way. We will move further ahead, he told the gathers. He concluded his speech by saying as President I am not promising you, the people, the past, but the world.

[10] KADEM and RedBorder surveys show Eroglu and UBP as the winners of the so-called presidential elections in occupied Cyprus

Kibris (06.03.10) publishes the results of the second phase of the poll under the front-page title "Eroglu 52.9%, Talat 47.1%". According to the paper, Dervis Eroglu is leading in occupied Trikomo and Mehmet Ali Talat is leading in occupied Keryneia. The outcome of the survey in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, in which 1,786 individuals were interviewed face-to-face, brought to light the situation of the undecided electorate and the voters who will boycott the elections, the paper writes.

According to the outcome of the survey the KADEM Research Company has carried out for daily Kibris newspaper prior to the so-called presidential elections to be held on 18 April 2010, Dervis Eroglu is leading Mehmet Ali Talat by 5.8%. The outcome of the survey shows that Dervis Eroglu is ahead in the occupied Trikomo region and Talat is ahead in occupied Keryneia. The outcome of the survey the KADEM Research Company carried out for Kibris in October 2009 showed that Mr. Eroglu had the 53.7% of the votes and Talat 46.3%.

The survey also showed that 39.8% of the supporters of the Democratic Party (DP) said that they will vote for Dervis Eroglu and 26.5% said that they will support Mehmet Ali Talat. Attention was drew to the 22.1% of DP undecided voters, while 8.8% of the supporters of DP said that they will not vote.

61.4% of the supporters of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) said that they will support Mehmet Ali Talat and 8.6% said that they will support Dervis Eroglu. 15.7% said that they are undecided and 14.3% said that they will not vote.

Some 36.4% of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) said that they will support Mehmet Ali Talat, 28.8% said that they will support Dervis Eroglu, some 18.2% said that they are undecided and 13.6% said that they will not vote.

Some 36.8% of the supporters of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) said that they will support Mehmet Ali Talat, 31.6% said that they will not vote, 16.8% said that they are undecided, and 15.8% refrained from expressing their views.

Upon the question Who will the National Unity Party (UBP) supporters vote for?, the results showed that 72.3% of the UBP supporters will vote for Dervis Eroglu and 8.8% will vote for Mehmet Ali Talat. Some 13.9% said that they are undecided and 4.2% said that they will not vote. Some 74.1% of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) supporters will vote for Mehmet Ali Talat and 10.3% will vote for Dervis Eroglu. Some 10% are undecided and 3.4%said that they will not vote.

The percentage of the votes per occupied region as published in Kibris is as follows:

Occupied Trikomo:

Dervis Eroglu: 48.8%

Mehmet Ali Talat: 26.2 %

Undecided: 14.9 %

Not to vote: 5.4 %

Occupied Keryneia:

Dervis Eroglu: 32.2 %

Mehmet Ali Talat: 34.9 %

Undecided: 15.4 %

Not to vote: 11.6 %

Occupied Famagusta:

Dervis Eroglu: 30 %

Mehmet Ali Talat: 27.4 %

Undecided: 27.6 %

Not to vote: 10.8

Occupied Lefkosia:

Dervis Eroglu: 35.4 %

Mehmet Ali Talat: 35.6 %

Undecided: 15.9 %

Not to vote: 9 %

Under the front-page title "UBP 42.6%, CTP 26.8%.", Kibris newspaper (07.03.10) continued to publish the results of the KADEM Research Company survey and reveals the strength of the Turkish Cypriot political parties. Upon the question "Which political party would you vote for if elections were to be held next week?" and considering the way the sample was responded, UBP will secure 42.6% of the votes and CTP 26.8%. UBP secured 44.07% or the votes and CTP 29.15% during the so called general elections held on 19 April 2009. The number, however, of undecided voters is reaching 9.8%. On the other hand, DP is the third strongest political party with the support of the 7.9% of the electorate. DP secured the 10.6% of the votes during the so called general elections on 19 April 2009. The survey also showed that the party's votes decreased by 2.7%.

The Communal Democracy Party (TDP) increased its votes compared with the votes it secure in the socalled general elections. The KADEM survey also showed that the party will secure 7.9% of the votes. It secured the 6.8% of the votes in the so called general elections.

The Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) is among the political parties which lost some of their votes. According to the outcome of the survey, ORP, which secured the 6.2% of the votes during the so-called general elections, will be supported by the 4.7% of the electorate.

The United Cyprus Party (BKP), which is not in the self-styled assembly, will receive the 0.8% of the votes, the Politics for the People Party (HIS) 0.5%, and the Nationalist Justice Party (MAP) 0.5%. BKP secured the 2.4% of the votes and the HIS 0.5% during the so-called general elections.

On the so-called presidential elections, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (06.03.10) continues to publish the results of a public poll conducted by RedBoarder Research Company. Upon the question Which political party would you vote for if elections were to be held tomorrow?", UBP will secure 44.4% of the votes, CTP 18.8%, DP 5.4%, TDP 3.4%, ORP 2.9%, BKP 1.6%, Mix 6.6% and Undecided/ Not to vote 16.9%.

(ML)

[11] Ertugruloglu and Avci visited Ankara for contacts with Turkish officials. Eroglu is going to Istanbul and they will all hold a meeting with Erdogan

The paper writes that the situation regarding Mr Ertugruloglus candidature for the elections, will be cleared up during a press conference which will be held on Tuesday.

According to Haberdar, ORP will decide which candidate will support for the presidential elections after Mr Avci concludes his contacts in Ankara.

Referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (06.03.10) writes that during his visit to Ankara, Mr Ertugruloglu will hold a meeting with the President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gul.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (07.03.10) reports that Mr Ertugruloglu will hold a meeting with Dervis Eroglu, on Tuesday. The paper writes that the meeting of the former and the current chairman of UBP, which is taking place following the declaration of Eroglus candidature and Ertugruloglus contacts in Ankara, will safeguard the unity within the party.

The paper also refers to Mr Avcis travel to Ankara on Sunday and notes that he will hold contacts with various Turkish officials.

Haberdar notes that neither Ertugruloglu, nor Avci made any statements regarding their contacts in Ankara, despite the fact that their actions have caused various reactions and created rumors in the occupied areas.

In addition, citing reliable sources, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (07.03.10), writes that Mr Eroglu was invited to Istanbul and he is going to Turkey today. The paper writes that Eroglus visit to Istanbul is related to Mr Ertugruloglus and Mr Avcis visit to Turkey, who went to Ankara on Sunday in order to hold contacts with high ranking Turkish officials. Eroglus visit to Turkey is related to the bargaining regarding the elections and the establishment of a new government. According to the paper, the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mr Ertugruloglu and Mr Avci will flight to Istanbul today and they will hold a four-party meeting together with Mr Eroglu.

(CS)

[12] Eroglu reiterated that they cannot give up on two separate states

Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu paid a visit to the Karaagac [occupied Chartzia], Bahceli [occupied Kalogrea] and Esentepe [occupied Agios Amvrosios] villages today. Addressing the villagers at Esentepe [occupied Agios Amvrosios], the Premier informed them about the Cyprus negotiations process, the latest situation regarding the national airliner Cyprus Turkish Airways, Turkeys EU process and the sackings at certain government places.

Referring to the Cyprus negotiation process, the Prime Minister said that if he is chosen as President, he will continue discussions at the Cyprus negotiations table and will not leave the table. We cannot give up on two separate states. If we do then the Cyprus Turks will become a privileged minority on the island, said Eroglu. Noting that the Greek Cypriot sides intransigent attitude is continuing, he called on the opposition parties to join in the effort to make the world see this reality.

The Prime Minister also criticized the European Union for turning a blind eye to the Greek Cypriot sides intransigent stance during the Annan Plan and pressurizing Turkey on the Cyprus issue. After completing his speak regarding the Cyprus issue, the Prime Minister then touched upon internal issues.

Moreover, Turkish daily Todays Zaman newspaper (06.03.10) reported the following:

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu has said Turkish troops on the island will not be withdrawn unless a deal in Cyprus is clinched.

Eroglu, speaking to diplomatic correspondents in Ankara late on Thursday, made the remarks when asked to comment on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans recent statement that Turkey is ready to pull its troops from Cyprus in the event of a deal.

Eroglu said this issue will not be on the agenda as long as there is no peace deal in Cyprus. While recalling that Greek Cypriots overwhelmingly said no to a UN plan to reunify Cyprus in 2004, Eroglu said the plan had proposed a significant withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus.

The much-hyped speculation surrounding the KKTCs hard-liner prime minister, who is the favorite in the upcoming April 18 presidential elections in the KKTC, is that reunification negotiations -- currently led by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias -- will come to a halt once Eroglu becomes president. Noting that if he is elected president his priority will be to advance the negotiations, Eroglu said, however, that Turkeys security guarantees in Cyprus were a requirement for the Turkish Cypriots.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-Generals special advisor on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, praised Erdogan for his remarks on a possible troop withdrawal made during a rare interview with Greek Cypriot newspapers over the weekend. Downer, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said this is the first time a Turkish prime minister has specifically and clearly supported a bizonal, bicommunal international entity based on federal political equality. Downer said Erdogans remarks were indicative of the positive atmosphere and the progress of the Cyprus reunification process.

[13] Turkish TUSIAD held contacts in the occupation regime and expressed its support to the negotiation process

A delegation from the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmens Association (TUSIAD), headed by the Association President Umit Boyner, is having contacts in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The TUSIAD delegation first held a meeting with the Cyprus Turkish Businessmens Association (ISAD). Speaking before the meeting, ISAD President Metin Yalcin underlined the need for establishing a strong economic ground for a successful political solution of the Cyprus problem.

In response, TUSIAD President Boyner expressed the associations support to the Cyprus talks and said that the political non-solution had brought economic non-solution.

Later, officials from the two associations exchanged views on the negotiation process and ways of strengthening the TRNC economy.

The TUSIAD delegation was later received by the Turkish Ambassador to occupied Lefkosia Sakir Fakili and President Mehmet Ali Talat respectively. Welcoming the delegation, President Talat said that the Cyprus Turkish policy is based on integration with the international community.

The President said that the Turkish side has proved to the world that it is in support of a settlement by approving a UN peace plan in 2004 and maintaining its peaceful approach, adding that it is the Greek Cypriot side which should be criticized for the failure to settle the Cyprus problem.

[14] KTTO delegation calls on the immediate implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation during contacts with EU officials in Brussels

Mr. Cerkez said that the trade which is conducted based on the Greek Line Regulation is not a sufficient mean to lift the economy of the Turkish Cypriots and drew attention to the need for the immediate implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation through the ports and airports of the Republic of Cyprus which are under the Turkish occupation.

(ML)

[15] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry asks for co-operation and joint investments from Turkish businessmen

On his part, ADASOs chairman, Mr Ozgumus, said, inter alia, that there are no heavy industry investments in the occupied areas of Cyprus. He noted that in addition to education and tourism, the revival of the small industry is important for the occupation regime and added that joint investments must be conducted with Turkish businessmen, as well as joint efforts must be exerted on exporting the TRNC products.

(EA)

[16] Turkish Cabinet to discuss a road map on the bilateral relations between Turkey and the USA

Todays regular weekly Cabinet meeting presided by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will focus on drawing up a roadmap concerning the current course of affairs in the bilateral relations between Ankara and Washington after a US congressional committee last week branded the killings of Anatolian Armenians during World War I as genocide.

Turkey has expressed its outrage over the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs approval of the non-binding resolution on Thursday, in a vote broadcast live on Turkish television, and recalled its envoy to the United States for consultations.

'The decision of the Foreign Affairs Committee will not hurt Turkey, but it will greatly harm bilateral relations, interests and vision. Turkey will not be the one who loses, ' Erdogan said on Saturday, speaking to a group of Turkish businessmen.

The Obama administration made a last-minute appeal against the resolution and has vowed to stop the vote from going further in Congress.

Turkey has said the resolution could jeopardize a fragile drive by Turkey and Armenia to end a century of hostilities and lead to further instability in the Southern Caucasus, a region crisscrossed by oil and gas pipelines to Europe.

Turkey s ambassador to the US, Nam1k Tan, told journalists upon his return on Saturday that it was unclear when he would head back to Washington following his talks with the president, prime minister and foreign minister. 'I will return when the time is right ... We will have to wait and see, ' Tan said.

The road map is expected to contain flexibility in regards to 'retaliatory' steps, as Ankara will also have to focus on preventing US President Barack Obama from calling the killings of Anatolian Armenians 'genocide' in an annual White House statement on April 24, the day marking Armenian remembrance.

Diplomatic sources have said self-isolating measures such as shutting down Incirlik Air Base, used by the US military, or cutting defense imports from the US are unlikely at this stage. But damage to the partnership with Turkey is likely to hurt US strategic interests in the Middle East and Afghanistan, where Turkey is a key contributor to the NATO-led peacekeeping force. Its growing clout in the Middle East has given Turkey a key role in the region, making it a valuable ally for the US that is capable of exerting influence in areas and groups where the US presence and influence are limited.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu gave a cautious answer when asked whether retaliatory steps such as withdrawing troops from Afghanistan or a change of regulation regarding the US use of Incirlik Air Base in Adana could be on the agenda.

Such issues will be discussed with Tan upon his arrival, Davutoglu said, adding that the issue would be discussed later at the Cabinet meeting as well as with President Abdullah Gul and opposition parties.

Calling rumors circulating among the public and in the media regarding specific steps to be taken against the US 'early discussions, ' he added that the necessary assessments will be made in the coming days.

[17] Turkish Workers Party re-established in Turkey

The Turkish Workers Party (TIP) was the first socialist party to enter Parliament in Turkey's history and was formed on 13 February 1961 by 22 unionists including Kemal Turkler. It was reformed on 3 February this year.

According to the petition filed with the Interior Ministry General Secretary's Office, and which does not state the party chairman's name, the founding committee is made up of Muharren Soydemir, Coskun Arslan, Ahmet Arslan, Bircan Ozdemir Bulut, Suzen Erturk, Mihriban Tatar, Halil Yapagli and Feyzi Tam.

The TIP entered Parliament with 3 percent of the vote back in 1965 but the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia split the party in two. Following the 12 March 1971 intervention the party was dissolved on 21 July 1971 citing the Kurdish problem in its program. The TIP got reorganized in 1975 but failed to regain its former strength and was dissolved again by the 12 September 1980 coup. When the ban from politics was lifted in 1987 the TIP joined forces with the Turkish Communist Party (TKP). This party was dissolved in 1991 on the grounds of having the word Communist in its name.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[18] Columnist in Hurriyet Daily News.com alleges that Turkey is working for Talats re-election and supports that a third candidate would upset the balance

Northern Cyprus is preparing for presidential elections and the Ankara-supported incumbent has just announced his candidacy. The main opposition has held a slim lead in public polls for months, but a third candidate could upset the balance.

The emergence of a third candidate in Turkish Cyprus upcoming presidential elections appears to have swung the momentum back in favor of incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat, whose pro-reunification stance is fully supported by Ankara.

Concerned by the future of ongoing Cyprus talks and its own European Union process, Ankara is working for the re-election of Turkish Cypriot leader Talat in the run up to the April elections on the north side of the divided island.

Talat announced on Saturday that he would stand for another term in office, offering his candidacy following that of nationalist Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, who has a strained relationship with the president.

The president led a yes campaign to a 2004 United Nations-backed peace plan to reunify the island and is also backed by Turkeys ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, government.

In a surprising development, a third candidate from the ranks of Eroglus right-wing National Unity Party, or UBP, may emerge to upset the political balances to Talats benefit. Tahsin Ertugruloglu, a dissident in the UBP, is set to meet with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Ankara on Monday before deciding whether or not to run for the presidency.

Subtitle: Talat lags behind in latest survey

According to a recent survey conducted by well-respected polling company Kadem, Talat is lagging five points behind Eroglu.

Despite this, Talats number are inching upward, as 47.1 percent of respondents backed Talats candidacy, an increase from 46.3 percent in October. Nonetheless, his shortage of support stems from popular disenchantment for his inability to deliver a solution to northern Cyprus problems and isolation.

Eroglu, meanwhile, is backed by 52.9 percent of the electorate, down from 53.7 percent in October.

The emergence of the Ertugruloglu factor, however, could upset the present situation. Ertugruloglu was a former leader of the ruling UBP and was seen as a strong candidate to lead the party in the event Eroglu wins the April polls.

With 26 deputies in the 50-seat parliament, the UBP holds power by just a single seat. The disagreement between Eroglu and Ertugruloglu, who demanded the former cut ties with the party if elected president, presents a great risk to the party since the government will lose its majority in parliament if the Ertugruloglu-Eroglu crisis cannot be resolved.

Subtitle: Gul expected to meet with Ertugruloglu

Ertugruloglus meeting with Gul is expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the UBP dissident decides to run for president.

Turkish Cypriot officials contacted by the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review said the biggest current issue in northern Cyprus was Ertugruloglus possible candidacy. One official speaking on condition of anonymity said, Ertugruloglus candidacy may divide Eroglus votes and increase Talats chances in the second round.

Eroglu was in Ankara last week for detailed talks with both Gul and top-ranking Turkish officials.

Subtitle: Talat's policies backed by AKP gov't

Talats policies have been supported by the Ankara government since he became prime minister in 2004 as the leader of the pro-reunification Republican Turks Party, or CTP. Later, in April 2005, he won elections to become president of northern Cyprus.

In keeping with the maxim that it is unwise to change horses mid-stream, Ankara is not enthusiastic about a new leader in Nicosia since it could jeopardize both reunification talks and Turkeys EU bid.

Turkey, which escaped the December summit of EU leaders without any punishing sanctions for not opening its ports to Greek Cypriot shipping, wants to continue with Talat and gives strong support to the intensified reunification negotiations between the Cypriot leaders to help its troubled EU accession journey.

Talat, meanwhile, has been invited by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to visit the United States. He has not yet responded.

Subtitle: Why is Ankara opposing Eroglu?

Eroglus UBP won a parliamentary majority in April 2009 elections. Following his election victory, Eroglu backed the continuation of the Cyprus talks but said reunification should be based on two states a framework at odds with the federal model now being discussed by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders. The statement earned Eroglu a warning from Ankara that the core principles of the negotiations, which aim at a bi-zonal federation, should not be changed.

Ankara issued another warning to Eroglu when he applied to the Turkish Cypriot Constitutional Court to annul the creation of an Immovable Property Commission in the north on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.

The commission was established in 2005 in a move to avoid hundreds of cases brought to Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights by Greek Cypriots seeking compensation from Ankara for properties that were seized following Turkeys 1974 intervention on the island.

Despite Ankaras warning, Eroglu applied to the Constitutional Court for its annulment but the court rejected his application. In a historic decision Friday, the European Court of Human Rights recognized the property commission, thus saving Turkey from paying billions of euros in compensation to Greek Cypriots.

The ruling was also hailed by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as northern Cyprus first legal victory since the 1974 intervention.

[19] From the Turkish Press of 05, 06,07 of March 2010

Cyprus problem

In an article entitled "Dirty games on Cyprus," Hurriyet Daily News (05.03.10) columnist Yusuf Kanli accuses the Turkish Government of resorting to a stratagem aimed at enabling Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to win the upcoming "presidential elections" against Dervis Eroglu, his main opponent who leads in opinion polls.

In an article entitled "Blackmail two: Cyprus," Cumhuriyet (05.03.10) columnist Mumtaz Soysal argues that time has come for putting and to what he calls Greek Cypriot blackmail against Turkey. Asserting that Turkish troops on the island purely function as a peace-keeping force and it would be wrong to demand that Turkish soldiers be withdrawn from the island in order to reach a permanent solution, Soysal says: "In short, there is no way other than regarding the Cyprus blackmail as a failed plot and to announce to the whole world that there is no way out other than letting the two independent states to live together in peace."

Describing the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that affirms the authority of the Turkish Cypriot Immovable Property Commission as an effective domestic remedy Oktay Eksi, in an article in Hurriyet (07.03.10), stresses that this decision is important because "it accepts the legitimacy of an institution in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,."

Ferai Tinc, in an article in Hurriyet (07.03.10) disagrees with those who claim that this decision is the indirect recognition of the occupation regime. Nonetheless, this unprecedented decision is important because it will urge the two peoples to solve their problems among themselves and because it rejects the arguments that the commission is not impartial, asserts Tinc and draws attention to the support that the ECHR ruling extends to the efforts to find a political solution in the island. Recalling the she had criticized Mehmet Ali Talat for avoiding displaying a reaction at certain very important turning points, Tinc draws attention to Talat's efforts to ensure that all his steps are justifiable and in line with the international law and adds: "Following the ECHR's decision I understand him better."

AK/EI

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