Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-07-09

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Censure motion by the opposition in the occupied areas.

[02] Talat discussed with Turkish businessmen investments in the occupied part of Cyprus.

[03] Turkish Cypriot newspaper supports that Europe prefers a divided Cyprus for the time being.

[04] Erdogan states that it is too early for "elections" in the occupied areas-

[05] The power of the 1st Infantry Regiment in occupied Cyprus was handed over to Colonel Oktay Bingol.

[06] YENI DUZEN criticizes the government of the Cyprus Republic because Titina Loizidou carried the torch of the Olympic flame.

[07] VOLKAN alleges that Turkish Cypriot living in the free areas "exports" terrorism to the occupied areas.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist supports that encouraged by the EU Mr Talat is calling on foreign businessmen to invest in occupied Greek Cypriot properties.

[09] Is my country under occupation?.

[10] The JDP plans to capitalize on its success by holding early elections in Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Censure motion by the opposition in the occupied areas

The so-called Parliament convened today under the chairmanship of the so-called Speaker Fatma Ekenoglu. 24 parliamentarians voted in favor of the general debate, whereas 23 voted against.

The parliamentary consultative body will soon convene to set a date to discuss the motion.

The so-called parliament unanimously adopted on Wednesday a motion to open discussion on a proposal to hold early elections on September 26, 2004.

The proposal will be voted after being taken up in a sub-committee.

[02] Talat discussed with Turkish businessmen investments in the occupied part of Cyprus

In statements upon his return to the occupied areas Mr Talat, who visited Turkey as a guest of the Association of Turkey's Industrialists and Businessmen, explained that the aim of his contacts was to ask the Turkish businessmen to launch initiatives to improve the economy of the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Describing his discussions in Istanbul as "very useful", Mr Talat said that ways of making new investments in the occupied Cyprus had been discussed at his contacts with the businessmen.

Pointing out that his visit to Turkey had coincided with the European Commission's announcement of the Package of Measures aiming at providing financial support to the Turkish Cypriots, he said importance should be attacked to the steps that will be taken to end the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriot community.

[03] Turkish Cypriot newspaper supports that Europe prefers a divided Cyprus for the time being

[04] Erdogan states that it is too early for "elections" in the occupied areas

"The issue of early 'elections' is of course an issue related to developments in the 'TRNC'. It is wrong if we comment on this at the moment", said Mr Erdogan who stated that there is work that the pseudostate has to do and steps it has to take beyond early elections. He also said that Turkey expects the pseudo state's economy to recover, that they expect investments, fast trading and increase of tourism.

It addition, commenting on the issue of the economic package that the EU approved for the Turkish Cypriots, Mr Erdogan said that this was the result that the Turkish side expected and added: ''This issue is an expression of how much our government's and 'TRNC's' policies have been appropriate. We have always stressed it. We have kept the demand for lifting economic 'isolation 'of the 'TRNC' on a natural agenda and also the 'TRNC' has kept it on natural agenda. Previously, the U.S. officials made statements on this issue. And now the EU made it. Mr. Annan mentioned it in his report. It was a result which we expected and we have seen it with this statement today", said the Turkish Prime Minister.

[05] The power of the 1st Infantry Regiment in occupied Cyprus was handed over to Colonel Oktay Bingol

According to the paper some officers of the UNFICYP watched the ceremony.

Speaking during the ceremony the Commander of the Security Forces of the occupation army, General Necmettin Baykul, said that the Turkish Cypriot historical development is like a dramatic story and added that the new generation must study this history. He also said that the Turkish army and the soldiers who serve in occupied Cyprus must embrace their duty as if they were Turkish Cypriots.

[06] YENI DUZEN criticizes the government of the Cyprus Republic because Titina Loizidou carried the torch of the Olympic flame

"A betrayal against sport and the Olympic spirit. Loizidou became an athlete: The 'Greek Cypriot administration' involved politics on the issue of the Olympic flame which burned out in the whole world for the peace, sport and the Olympic spirit. The flame, which was not given permission to pass from the north of Cyprus, was carried yesterday by Titina Loizidou who is not an athlete and who won a case against Turkey in the European Court of Human Rights because of her house which is in the north".

[07] VOLKAN alleges that Turkish Cypriot living in the free areas "exports" terrorism to the occupied areas

The paper writes the following: "While the echo on the incident during which at 4a.m. the day before yesterday the car with plate numbers DL547 used by Kufi Birinci, but which belongs to Mehmet Birinci, was set on fire after being covered with igniting material, Kufi Birinci made important statements on the incident.

Mr Kufi Birinci, who is in the business of foreign exchange, said: "Because my car has no insurance, I changed my car with my brother´s with the aim of being able to pass to the south. Based on my relation with him I suspect Elmas Guzelyurtlu. There is great possibility that the incident was carried out by Elmas Guzelyurtlu".

The paper adds that in the past year tens of cars of businessmen were set on fire and according to their statements to the "police" they too suspect Elmas Guzelyurtlu.

(It is noted that the Elmas Guzelyurtlu lives and does business in the free areas of Cyprus).

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist supports that encouraged by the EU Mr Talat is calling on foreign businessmen to invest in occupied Greek Cypriot properties

Efforts are exerted so that the attention is distracted from a second act of surrendering. Efforts have been exerted so that the first is kept a secret. The Republican Turkish Party was supported in the elections and all these were reflected in the referendum process. There the will of the Turkish Cypriots was surrendered! Now, efforts are exerted for the surrendering of the properties in the northern part of Cyprus!

The beginning of this surrendering was made when the Turkish Cypriots brought the RTP into power in the name of peace and the solution and said YES at the referendum. If the RTP thinks that it will get the power alone after the elections, it will not stop. '

If the National Unity Party accepted Talat as Prime Minister in a coalition with RTP, the issue would have since a long time ago been closed.

Tayyip gave his signal as soon as he returned from Bulgaria. The `TRNC´ has much more work to do than thinking the early elections in autumn, he said! This is the meaning of this: Do not deal with these issues, find an excuse to postpone the early elections for another date. The promises are there, but the most important is Turkey's future. Let us take a date and then we shall elect someone who will be protecting this status quo. You will not be left without marionettes! '".

[09] Is my country under occupation?

In a vivid manner he describes the appalling state of the hotel, he says that the majority of the customers of the hotel are Casino regulars who do not care about the service provided to them: "Their only concern is next evening's casino session", Atabek stresses.

He goes on and says that almost all of the personnel of the Hotel come from Turkey and wonders how many Turkish Cypriots are employed in the hotel.

He then describes what his family and their Greek Cypriot guests from the free areas have experienced in the hand of the "Maitre d'hotel" during the dinner, who in an arbitrary manner ruled out that it is not possible to make table reservation, in the hotel. "It is prohibited to have table reservation" Atabek notes ironically.

"Eh' Since in this country we have hundreds of restrictions put by Turkey, so no problem, you have to obey to the restrictions put by that Country's citizen as well' So, we have agreed to the orders of the 'Maitre d'hotel' and asked the staff to prepare a table for nine people. Eventually, they have opened a table and we have settled. The wife of our Greek Cypriot guest has asked whether she could leave her bag on the table while being served from the open buffet. 'Of course, we have said, this is a secure place'. And when we have returned from the open buffet with plates in our hands, we have found other people sitting on our table, and more, the bag was not there. It took fifteen minutes to remove the newcomers and to locate the bag. We were unable to raise our cups for a toast'

We have had a holiday, in our country.

In a hotel in our country where all the customers and the staff were coming from Turkey'" Atabek notes.

Atabek goes on and asks the so-called Minister of Labour how many of those who work in the hotel acquired a work permit?

Then he directs his next question to the so -called Minister of Finance and demands an explanation about the hotel bill and payment voucher which was issued in the name of "Istanbul Air Lines". He says that the said company went bankrupt and how come bills could be issued in its name .He demands an explanation whether this company still pays its taxes.

[10] The JDP plans to capitalize on its success by holding early elections in Turkey

"Early election scenarios have been a frequent topic of discussion in political and economic anterooms recently. There are frequent rumors that JDP [Justice and Development Party] General Chairman and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan may announce a surprise decision in the early spring of 2005 to take the country to early elections.

The early election hypothesis is based on three factors: First, the presidential elections to be held in 2007; second, the timetable for accession talks that the EU will probably announce at the end of this year; and third, the decline of the inflation rate to single digits and the tangible improvement in the economy.

The most sensitive issue on the political side of the scenario is without doubt the presidential election that will be held in 2007 when Ahmet Necdet Sezer's term of office expires. Consequently there is little doubt that Erdogan would want to call a snap election when he feels the strongest in order to realize a strong and solid parliamentary majority so that he can amend the constitution easily.

The reason for this is that Erdogan is said to be planning to amend the constitution prior to the presidential election in order to institute a semi-presidential system and then become the head of state. The spring of 2005 is considered to be the ideal time for an election for this purpose.

According to the scenario, the True Path Party and the Nationalist Action Party--which the JDP sees as threats to itself in the medium term--will not be able to pull themselves together by the spring of 2005. In contrast the JDP will not have suffered any erosion and will be at its strongest at that time.

In the meantime the main opposition Republican People's Party will not have been able to solve its current internal problems. Even if a new social democratic party is formed it will not have been able to organize and to become a government alternative by then. Consequently the political circumstances and conditions will all favour the JDP.

Spring air in economy

In addition it is considered virtually certain that at the end of this year the EU will announce a start date for accession talks in the spring or, at the latest, the middle of 2005.

The economy is expected to experience record resurgence when the EU accession timetable becomes known. It is presumed that EU funds will begin to flow in and that, more importantly, foreign direct investments in Turkey will accelerate. This is expected to bring inflation, which has already been reduced to single digits, under more robust control. Increased economic growth and investment is envisaged to cut unemployment. Social prosperity is expected to improve, and the general economic improvement is expected to be felt in the daily lives of the masses and by the voters.

In such favorable circumstances the government is expected to grant large pay raises to workers, civil servants, and pensioners and to boost subsidies to farmers and small businesses.

Then it is expected to call for early elections.

It is expected to ask the people for its votes as a government that has buried the inflation monster that no political administration has been able to defeat in the last 30 years; that has reduced annual inflation to below 10 percent; that has managed to revive the stagnating public investment effort; that has made decisions to improve the income and prosperity levels workers, civil servants, retirees, small businessmen, farmers, and other low-income groups; that has largely completed democratization reforms; and that is propelled forward with the EU wind in its sails. It would thus go to elections fully confident that it will be returned to office in a stronger position.

This is the summary of the scenario being discussed and debated in anterooms.

Interestingly, Prime Minister Erdogan who has always responded to all types of speculation almost instantly prefers to remain quiet over rumors of early elections.

Does he really have plans for a snap election in the spring of 2005?

This possibility naturally exists, but it is a weak possibility. The early election plan in the minds of the Prime Minister and his JDP aides is the spring or fall of 2006."

/SK

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