Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-07-07

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu called on President Christofias to undertake his responsibilities

[02] Davutoglu responds to criticism on Turkeys axis shift

[03] Shocking words by Cemil Cicek

[04] Serdar Denktas suspicious of continuous statements on reaching a solution by the end of the year

[05] Avci ready to form coalition government with UBP

[06] Reaction against Quran lesson continue; AKP accused of trying to establish Islamic law

[07] The crisis in the illegal KTHY deals a blow to tourism in occupied Cyprus

[08] Settlers support economic measures

[09] Cypriot Saray Hotel operating at a constant loss

[10] A memorial service held for journalist Kutlu Adali

[11] Independent deputy joined CHP

[12] Chinese company to invest one billion USD in Turkey

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu called on President Christofias to undertake his responsibilities

However, Eroglu pointed out that he was talking with Demetris Christofias and not with Anastasiades at the negotiation table and added that Christofias should assume his responsibilities as the leader of the Greek Cypriots and continue the talks.

[02] Davutoglu responds to criticism on Turkeys axis shift

Inter alia, FM Davutoglu referred to the revived criticism regarding Turkeys axis shift, which he said was meaningless and added: Their problem is the increase of Turkeys influence. Even if Turkey were a full EU member, another issue would have been brought to the agenda.

Davutoglu, who said that an impression has been created that Turkey has abandoned EU with its own will, said: There is such an impression, as if the EU opens Turkeys field. It does not make any injustice on the Cyprus issue, it did not suspend so many chapters, Turkeys field is very open and Turkey leaves this field and turns to the East. Such an impression exists. In the road we began in 2004 with great motivation, the most important psychological break is the unfair, unjust stance not based on any norms that the EU holds. Nevertheless, we have not lost our eagerness... He added that this is a groundless discussion.

(EA)

[03] Shocking words by Cemil Cicek

The paper adds that Cicek told the Turkish Cypriot businessmen that convincing the government to do the right thing is more difficult than finding water in the desert. He noted that while Turkey should decrease the financial aid it gives to the occupied areas of Cyprus, this aid is increasing every year.

He said, inter alia, the following: The amount we will give this year is known. It is 920 trillion [Turkish liras]. It is not possible for us to pay more than that. If they say, let us cut the investments and use the money for the budget, we disagree with that. The 13th salary is continuing. Forty persons are needed to (hatch) an egg We have 12-13 reforms which should be affected immediately. Today the privatizations in Turkey lag behind even more so than in the Soviet Union.

In your country, these have not even started. Your banks are very weak. Some public banks have been weakened a lot. We have to make them stronger. Otherwise, they will face difficulties. They have already entered into a difficult situation. We respect esteemed Denktas, but establishing the state was actually wrong. There should have been a presidential system. The laws are pending. Your assembly works only twice a week. This cannot be happening.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Serdar Denktas suspicious of continuous statements on reaching a solution by the end of the year

Serdar Denktas said that the presidential elections were an opportunity to show that they support to sovereignty. He added that the DP withdrew its support to the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat because he had not shown sufficient sensitivity on the issue of sovereignty, the state and the two separate states.

Denktas noted that Eroglu will face a lot of pressure and that the DP is ready to make any sacrifice to face this pressure, and for their state.

Denktas expressed the view that the timing of the decisions on financial issues taken by the government was wrong time because of the economic crisis and recalled that his party disapproved of the developments regarding the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines (KTHY) from the very beginning. He said they withdrew their support to the government, they will be in the opposition and if necessary they will participate in protests, but they will also share with the public their alternative views regarding steps taken by the government.

On the reference to a possible solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of the year, Denktas noted that the fact that this issue is on the agenda makes him suspicious. We wonder constantly whether this is related to all that is happening, he said and added: If a plan comes before us again, the Turkish Cypriot people should be more resistant. Therefore, we say that what is happening is wrong.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Avci ready to form coalition government with UBP

According to the paper, Avci has given an indication that his party is ready to form a coalition government with the National Unity Party (UBP) of Irsen Kucuk. We have not received an official proposal yet; however, when this proposal arrives we will discuss it as we did before, he stated.

Avci said that his party will continue to support the UBP government which now holds only 24 parliament seats and said that he is not very keen on conducting early elections, since this could lead to chaos.

Avci also criticized strongly the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas and his party for the decision to withdraw support to UBP and stated: Their politics have no principles.

(CS)

[06] Reaction against Quran lesson continue; AKP accused of trying to establish Islamic law

In statements after the event, KTOEOS chairman Adnan Eraslan said that the schools are under occupation by persons who are not citizens of the country. He also said that efforts are exerted to introduce Islamic law (the Sheri'a) and blamed the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey for this development. The country does not belong to AKP. The Islamic law cannot be enforced because AKP says so, he stated.

On his part Yusuf Suicmez, head of the so-called religious affairs department in occupied Cyprus, stated the religious classes is an undisputable right. He added that the lessons are under the ministry of education and are taught by graduates of theology departments.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (07.07.10) writes that the minister of education, Nazim Cavusoglu, also said these are lessons are religious lessons and not Quran courses and added that the ministry knows what it is doing on the issue.

In addition, Turkish daily Todays Zaman newspaper (07.07.10) reports on comments on the issue on the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ferdi Sabit Soyer, who said that the problem is actually lies in Turkey. He cited the February 28 post-coup process in Turkey as a determining factor, noting how ban on headscarves and other pressures on devoted developed.

He said the Turkish Cypriot public was less defined in terms of attitudes towards religion and asserted that debates in Turkey over secularism were exerting an influence.

(CS)

[07] The crisis in the illegal KTHY deals a blow to tourism in occupied Cyprus

The hotel owners expressed shock at the interruption of the flights during a peak period when reservations from countries such as Britain, Italy, Poland and the Netherlands started visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus, were high.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Tour Operators Union in Britain and director of Anatolian Sky Holidays, Akin Koc expressed disappointment for flight schedule announced by Atlas Jet Company for Britain. He said that tourism in northern Cyprus which has become a trade mark as a result of work and money spent for 30 years is now facing the danger of ceasing to exist.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (07.07.10) reports that travellers from the Black Sea area face difficulties because direct flights of the bankrupted KTHY to Trabzon have stopped. Under the title The people from the Black Sea area are revolting, the paper writes that Atlas Jet is carrying passengers to Trabzon through Ankara and Istanbul and that this situation affected mostly settlers from the Black Sea area who live in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Settlers support economic measures

A press release by the Chairman of the Association Turgut Kara says that the slogan used by United Cyprus Party (BKP) We dont want Ankara, neither its money, nor the pack of measures is considered as an example of treason. He added that no group should be allowed to destroy the unity and solidarity of the people and stir hostility against Turkey, nor to allow separatist groups to take advantage of NGOs struggles for justice.

Kara noted that the future safeguard of the sovereign existence of the breakaway regime and its people is connected to economic efficiency and added that despite the parasites and collaborators or whether there is a solution or not, the necessary sacrifices will be made and the breakaway regime will survive.

(IS)

[09] Cypriot Saray Hotel operates at a constant loss.

Saray, the oldest Turkish Cypriot hotel has been operating at a loss. Losses recorded in the years 2005 to 2010 are over 3 mln Turkish Lira ( One and half mln. Euros). Kaymakamzade said that 92% of the hotels income is spent on salaries, while essential repairs and renovations would cost at least 2 million TL.

(IS)

[10] A memorial service held for journalist Kutlu Adali

(CS)

[11] Independent deputy joined CHP

The new distribution of seats in the Turkish Parliament is as follows:

Justice and Development Party (AKP) Party: 335

Republican People's Party (CHP): 102

Nationalist Action Party (MHP): 69

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP): 20

Democratic Left Party (DSP): 6

Democrat Party (DP): 1

Turkey Party (TP): 1

Independent: 8

Vacant: 8

Total: 550

[12] Chinese company to invest one billion USD in Turkey

China International Institute of Multinational Corporations (CIIMC) has chosen Izmir, Istanbul and Ankara as cities in which Chinese firms can invest in. It is pleasing to see that one of China's biggest companies, China General Technology Holding Ltd., has decided to make investments worth one billion USD for the production of spare parts for buses, trucks and commercial vehicles, as well as in energy and health sectors, Yildirim said.

Li Shenglin, in his part, said that they must enrich their bilateral relations following up a memorandum of understanding signed in 2006.

Yildirim also said on Tuesday that Turkey was planning to open Istanbul-Eskisehir railway in 2013. This project is the first and an important cooperation between Turkey and China, Yildirim said. He also thanked for 730 million USD loan provided by the Chinese government for the project.

/ES

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