Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-08-01

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] More statements by Bagis on the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency

[02] Eroglu reiterated his know positions for the solution of the Cyprus problem

[03] "The lesser of two evils"

[04] Atalay on rumours of removing Akca of his position; figment of the imagination

[05] More about the fourteen-floor building to be constructed at occupied Gastria by an Israeli firm

[06] Turkish Cypriot files a lawsuit against Turkey at Larnaka District Court for selling him stolen land in northern Cyprus

[07] Occupancy of five-star hotels in occupied Keryneia has reached to 78% for the month of July; expectation to reach to 84% in August

[08] Turkey donated new fire brigade vehicles to the occupation regime

[09] Eroglu met with foreign students from 12 countries; he accused the Republic of Cyprus for the non-solution in Cyprus

[10] Davutoglu to visit Iraq to seek cooperation on the issue of Syria

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] More statements by Bagis on the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency

"As part of the positive agenda, we have established working groups for visa exemption, participation of Turkish citizens at EU Commission and cooperation against terrorism related to the eight chapters under negotiations," Minister Bagis told at televised interview on a private Turkish news channel.

Mentioning that Turkey is not taking any notice of EU term presidency of Greek Cypriots he added: "We are continuing working nonstop and still making reforms. We are not their interlocutor but it is the TRNC. They have been seeking assistance from Ireland in terms of term presidency, no need for it. The TRNC provides them support," said Bagis.

Stating that Turkey has been working for visa issue for the last 30 years he pointed out that 27 countries in the union gave EU Commission authorization to start visa exemption process, and the commission is now working on an action plan. "75 million Turkish citizens will be able to travel to EU countries with just their passport," said Bagis.

Noting that Bashar Al-Assad's time in Syria is coming to an end he said: "The countries that were supporting Al-Assad previously, are now making plans for Al-Assad's exit. In the end, this cruelty will come to an end, I hope it would be soon."

[02] Eroglu reiterated his know positions for the solution of the Cyprus problem

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (01.08.12) reports that during a meeting he held with the "retired policemen association", Eroglu alleged that if the Greek Cypriots wanted an agreement to be reached, they should have accepted that the Turkish Cypriot side has equals rights with them in these land . "Only under these conditions a solution is possible", Eroglu said. He went on and reiterated his known positions that the Turkish Cypriot side is the one that wants the solution and shows positive intentions towards an agreement and added that from now on he wants to look forward. He also said that the Turkish Cypriots do not live under uncertainty since they have their state, institutions and foundations.

Finally, Eroglu said that only if the European Union and the United Nations lift the "embargoes" and recognize the breakaway regime, Turkish Cypriots will be motivated for a solution.

[03] "The lesser of two evils"

Despite all the hardships and the macho colonialist-style approaches of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his political clan to the Cyprus problem, an overwhelming majority of Turkish Cypriots would rather opt to become an '82nd Turkish province' rather than being patched up as a minority in a Greek Cypriot-held Cyprus Republic.

Yes, my friend Robert Ellis was right in his comment that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has long held that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is a 'subordinate local administration' of Turkey. The ECHR ruling that primarily stopped potatoes and other agricultural products being exported from northern Cyprus to European countries, or the one that compelled Turkey to pay millions of Euro in compensation to Greek Cypriots who lost their properties in the north because of Turkish intervention, has been one of the anomalies holding hostage to a Cyprus settlement.

I would not be pro-settlement if I had a seat in the government, my government had U.N. recognition, membership of the EU, and international court rulings asserting my statehood and condemning my adversary as a minority that should not expect anything more than minority rights. Why would Greek Cypriots want a settlement on Cyprus and share the government with Turkish Cypriots? Greek Cypriots have all the reasons to be adamant, aggressive and intransigent, and they have been perfectly obstructing a settlement since the start of talks in 1967. That is why they rejected a deal back in 1973 (which simply provided Turkish Cypriots with local autonomy), and that is why they again rejected deals in 1987, 1993, and 2004.

Over the past decades I have kept on complaining that the attitude of the international community to leave the Turkish Cypriots to the mercy of the Greek Cypriots was indeed forcing Turkish Cypriots to proceed with further integration with Turkey, and that they risk eventually becoming a lentil in the big Turkish soup. To be frank, Turkey had never been so vigorous and assertive in its neo-colonialist policies on Cyprus until the past few years. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), particularly in the past year, has converted the Turkish embassy into an office of governor general, undermining local administrators and working to create a new, conservative and religious northern Cyprus.

Turkish Cyprus becoming a declared or undeclared colony of Ankara is not in the best interests of the Turkish Cypriots, and it is definitely not in the interests of Greek Cypriots either. They have to wake up and see the looming danger that will not only devastate the cultural presence of Turkish Cypriots in the north.

If Turkish Cypriots are kept isolated, and continue to be forced to make a choice between patching up to the Greek Cypriot state or becoming the 82nd province of Turkey, they would overwhelmingly opt for the lesser of two evils and ask to be with Turkey".

[04] Atalay on rumours of removing Akca of his position; figment of the imagination

Atalay, who issued a written statement, said that the "Turkish embassy" to occupied Lefkosia will continue to work for the prosperity and the welfare of the Turkish Cypriots and added that they work in harmony with the current "ambassador", especially for the implementation of the economy measure package Turkey has prepared for the breakaway regime.

Atalay claimed that these kinds of rumours are "out of line, provocative and aim to create psychological pressure". He also said that they do not fill the criteria of serious journalism. "They are not true; they are figment of the imagination", he said.

[05] More about the fourteen-floor building to be constructed at occupied Gastria by an Israeli firm

The paper writes that the construction, which will resembles a wall in front of the beach, creates a lot of reaction in the occupied area.

[06] Turkish Cypriot files a lawsuit against Turkey at Larnaka District Court for selling him stolen land in northern Cyprus

Gurcafer, who stated to the paper that his aim is the falling down of the establishment in the occupied area of Cyprus said the following: "I believe that by filing a lawsuit I will shake the foundation of the property regime in north Cyprus which is rotten to the core". He added that he believe that he will win the case against Turkey and after that he will go to a European country asking for the implementation of the decision.

Gurcafer claimed that he bought Mimoza Hotel in occupied Famagusta for the amount of 1 million, 260 thousand sterling pounds, that he paid 1 million 242 thousand sterling pounds and while he was ready to pay the rest of the amount, the hotel was taken urgently from his hands by the "providence fund" of the occupation regime, which took under siege the equipments inside the hotel.

Gurcafer who asks 15 million compensation from Turkey, said that they came to the point that Turkish businessmen come from Turkey and are offered valuable land for free. Contrary, the Turkish Cypriot businessmen give money to buy land and pay 30-50% on top of the loan they take and they are kick out of the door in case a 5% of the amount is left for them to be paid. "This is not about me, this is part of a mentality that wants to eradicate the Turkish Cypriots", he stated and added that those who support this system put obstacles towards the solution of the Cyprus problem as well. He also stated that the property issue is one of the biggest problems as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem and must be solved.

[07] Occupancy of five-star hotels in occupied Keryneia has reached to 78% for the month of July; expectation to reach to 84% in August

According to the paper, hotel owners in occupied Cyprus pointed out the increase being observed at the reservations and stated that the occupancy rate of the hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus for the months of July and August has been increased.

The paper writes that tourism officials in occupied Cyprus indicate that the reason for the increase of tourists is the launching of charter flights between the "TRNC" and several EU countries. They also pointed out to the importance of the promotion of the "TRNC" abroad.

(AK)

[08] Turkey donated new fire brigade vehicles to the occupation regime

One vehicle was donated by the "Aid Delegation of the Turkish Embassy in Lefkosia" and the other one was donated by the Security Forces Commandership to the so-called Chief of Police Ahmet Zaim who then handed over the vehicles to the "fire brigade".

The vehicles were handed over during a ceremony held at the grounds of the so-called Police Headquarters.

In statements, the "chief of the fire brigade" Ays?n Oztrak provided detailed information about the vehicles.

Also, the "chief of police" Ahmet Zaim for his part referred to the necessity of the vehicles and thanked the so-called Turkish Embassy for its contributions to the fire department.

[09] Eroglu met with foreign students from 12 countries; he accused the Republic of Cyprus for the non-solution in Cyprus

Students who are taking part in this educational program which aims to promote the "TRNC", met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu this morning (yesterday).

Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu provided information to the students about the history of the "TRNC" and the Cyprus issue.

He said that the Greek Cypriots have pressurized the Turkish Cypriot "people" to leave the country but noted that the Turkish Cypriot "people" have been struggling against this for years.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side has always worked towards finding a solution in Cyprus, he, however, said the "south Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus which is a UN and EU member, has never favoured this. "We continue to have a hope towards finding a solution on the island but this does not only depend on us" said Eroglu adding that until now the Greek Cypriot side has rejected every solution agreement that has emerged.

[10] Davutoglu to visit Iraq to seek cooperation on the issue of Syria

Diplomatic sources said Davutoglu will urge Barzani for cooperation in Syria's transition process, instead of unilateral moves on Iraqi Kurds such as collaboration with the Democratic Union of Kurdistan and militarily training Syrian Kurds.

As Turkey worried about the PKK members transferred from the Kandil Mountains in northern Iraq to northern Syria, the Minister will ask Barzani to enhance security measures against the organization, according to the sources.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources said that Davutoglu held a phone conversation with Secretary General of Arab League Nabil al-Arabi yesterday. Davutoglu and al-Arabi discussed an upcoming Arab League resolution that will be submitted to the U.N. General assembly in the upcoming days. The parties also stressed the importance of preserving the historical fabric in Aleppo, where clashes between Syrian forces and rebels have escalated since last week.

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