Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-04-25

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat was invited to Pakistan during a meeting between Gul and Kasuri.

[02] Talat insists on time limit and arbitration in the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[03] Chairperson of the Compensation Commission: The new legislation´s priority is to protect and uphold the property rights of the `People´ of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´.

[04] The self-styled Attorney General confirms that Turkey asked information about Serhat Incirli.

[05] The Turkish Secretary-General of the OIC expresses determination to use the Islamic forum to promote Turkey´s partitionist designs against Cyprus.

[06] Greek Cypriot lawyer Constantis Kantounas was arrested by the occupation regime´s police.

[07] More illegal immigrants were arrested in the occupied area of Cyprus.

[08] Kyrgyzstan football team will play in the occupied area.

[09] Members of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry in Baku conclude number of agreements on company basis.

[10] Statements by Ozkok and Buyukanit on the troop mobilization to the Iraqi border.

[11] More discussions on the Secret Constitution.

[12] MIT agents are using press cards.

[13] Semi Bora the candidate of UBP for the illegal occupied Lefkosia municipality.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat was invited to Pakistan during a meeting between Gul and Kasuri

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday criticized statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad against Israel, saying that his stance had resulted in the international community uniting against Tehran, said a source.

Gul, who previously declined to make public his personal views on Ahmadinejad's statements, made the remarks behind closed doors during a meeting with visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri.

According to speculation, Gul said that Ahmadinejad's statements against Israel and his country's refusal to follow a transparent policy on their nuclear program has resulted in the formation of an international alliance against the country.

Ahmadinejad previously stated: "Israel should be wiped off the map" and the "Holocaust is a myth created to justify the existence of the Israeli state."

Subtitle: Pakistan extends invitation to Talat

During the meeting, Kasuri also invited `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´) `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat to Pakistan.

A visit by `TRNC Foreign Minister´ Serdar Denktas to Pakistan is on the cards, sources told The New Anatolian.

Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper (22.04.06) quotes Mr Kasouri to have said that Pakistan applies no embargo whatsoever against the TRNC.

He reminded that Talat´s visit was planned earlier but it was postponed because of Mr Talat`s illness and that Serdar Denktas has already visited Pakistan.

Finally, Mr Kasuri expressed support for Turkey´s Action Plan.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the properties of Greek Cypriots forced by the Turkish army to abandon them at gun point in 1974).

[02] Talat insists on time limit and arbitration in the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem

We accept to start from the beginning, but the Turkish Cypriots must know their future and what there is in the end of this procedure, noted Mr Talat adding though that it would be wiser if the procedure started on the basis of the Annan Plan.

Referring to the technical committees Mr Talat said that the discussions through the UN continue and that they accept the technical committees. Asked about the number of the committees and whether or not this will be ten, he responded: No. They might be more. For example, the Greek Cypriot side could bring some suggestions. And we can do this. For example we might add the economy. We can discuss economic issues in the current situation. We can discuss many issues so that our economies come closer and we cooperate.

Responding to other questions, Mr Talat expressed the following views: The issues of substance will be discussed within the framework of the overall solution to the Cyprus problem. This is very important. For years the UN did not provide for a solution to the Cyprus problem piece by piece. That is, they did not say let us solve the Varosha issue. Why? Because you can lose on one point and win on another. We are ready to discuss issues which are a part of the overall solution, but we have to draw a framework for this. That is we must see the whole picture. For example the Greek Cypriot side should submit its proposals on the Annan Plan, or if they have other overall proposals they should give them. In this situation we are ready to discuss the issues of substance, but the Greek Cypriot side must prepare and submit its proposals for changes on the Annan Plan If you have noticed, Papadopoulos is putting a limit. Let us discuss only the issue of the missing persons, he says. However, there is nothing to be discussed on the issue of the missing persons. You know that this is the only committee where the procedure works. I think that the issue must not be politicized. .

On Mr Talat´s statements illegal Bayrak publishes the following on its webpage:

President Mehmet Ali Talat has reiterated that the main aim of the Turkish Cypriot Side is to find a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the Annan Plan.

But the President stated that the struggle - being waged towards getting the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people lifted- will continue.

Speaking at a program on BRT last night (21.04.06), Mr Talat said the removal of the international isolation would contribute to efforts aimed at bringing about a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Pointing to the fact that the Annan Plan envisaged to bring about comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, Mr. Talat said the fact that the Greek Cypriots had never been in support of a settlement was proved during the 2004 referendum but he added that the Greek Cypriot Administrations policies are not sustainable.

Stressing that the European Union made a mistake by accepting the Greek Cypriot Side into the Block, the President criticized the EU for failing to honor its promises to help lift the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Underlining the need to be very careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past, he said the Turkish Cypriot Side will not pursue a rejectionist policy but made it clear that this should not be taken as readiness to accept everything.

Asked to comment on the results of an opinion poll carried out in South Cyprus revealing that the majority of the Greek Cypriots do not want to live together with the Turkish Cypriots, he said the rejectionist Greek Cypriot Leadership is to be blamed for the rise in the number of people opposing to a settlement on the island.

The President warned that the continuation of the Tassos Papadopouloss leadership in South Cyprus strengthens the forces opposing to a settlement and gives the signal for a division on the island.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak (25.04.06) publishes the following in its webpage regarding a press conference given by Mr Talat yesterday:

President Mehmet Ali Talat has been holding a press conference to mark the first anniversary of his election as the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The President focused mainly on another anniversary, though, the second anniversary of the Turkish Cypriot Peoples approval of the Annan Plan as a basis for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

He said that the Annan Plans approval did not only yield legal consequences, but also a very important political message that displayed the Turkish Cypriot sides willingness and support for a settlement to the Cyprus problem.

We are - as supportive for the Plan - as we were in those days, and we believe that this plan will continue to be an important blueprint contributing to the solution of the Cyprus problem he said.

Complaining that the promises made to the Turkish Cypriot people by the European Union were still to be kept, he said the fruits of the approval of the Annan Plan were beginning to be seen.

He said there can be no solution to the Cyprus problem with the desire of only one of the two sides involved, and vowed to promote further the Turkish Cypriot Peoples drive toward integration with the international community and the easing of its international isolation.

Pointing to the importance of the need for the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot People to be lifted, Mr Talat said he continues to believe that this will help bring closer a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The TRNC President said it was too weird to see the Annan Plan rejected by the Greek Cypriot side - upon whose views the Plan itself was based.

We are not insisting on the name of the Plan, and even are ready to start from the beginning, but how long can the `peoples´ of the island wait for this ? he asked.

Referring to the Summit at The Hague held in 2003, President Talat accused his predecessor Rauf Denktas of not showing the necessary will for a solution.

Mr Talat described this stage as the point when the Turkish side missed a historic opportunity for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

(Tr. Note: The TRNC is the breakaway regime established by Turkey in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and it is under the full control of Ankara.)

[03] Chairperson of the Compensation Commission: The new legislation´s priority is to protect and uphold the property rights of the `People´ of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´

The sending of summons to citizens in Tatlisu (occupied Akatnou) village by the Immovable Property Commission, and the move by the Commissions chairperson Sumer Erkmen to defend the action, has led `Prime Minister´ Ferdi Sabit Soyer to issue a statement on the issue.

The Property Commission was set up earlier this year after weeks of parliamentary discussions and heated debates between the government and the main opposition over the issue.

The new body was created in a bid to try to halt legal cases being brought to the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey by Greek Cypriots who had had to leave immovable property in North (occupied) Cyprus as they left for south Cyprus during the events in the summer of 1974.

The issuing of summons has led to uneasiness and discontent among the People of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ as the new Property Law envisages - among other solutions - the reinstatement of immovable property to Greek Cypriots.

`Prime Minister´ Ferdi Sabit Soyer said in his message, that the objective and nature of the move were only legal and that there was no justification for any concern.

He said that the process of evaluating and assessing the values of the properties concerned will be a responsibility of the State and not the citizens.

He said all proceedings and action to be conducted by the Commission will be in line with the provisions of the new Property Law and in accordance with the principles of International Law.

Mr Soyer gave a reassurance - once again - that all the possible compensation to be ruled at the end of the processes involved with the implementation of the new Property Law and - as a result of the Property Commissions work, will be fully in the responsibility of the State and that - in no way - will the `TRNC´ citizens be made to pay any compensation at all.

He stressed that all financial responsibilities to emerge as a result of the workings of the Commission will lie on the State.

Yesterday, the chairperson of the `TRNC´ Immovable Property Commission Sumer Erkmen defended the practice of sending summons to some citizens in Tatlisu (occupied Akanthou) village, saying, that the new practice is a normal outcome of Greek Cypriot applications made to the commission.

Mrs Erkmen was responding to questions by the B.R.T. newsroom yesterday over reports that some citizens living in Tatlisu (occupied Akanthou) most of whom come from the Tatlisu (Mari) village in the Larnaca district in South Cyprus, have received summons sent by the Immovable Property Commission.

Announcing that many Greek Cypriots from South Cyprus have been applying for the Commission in connection with their properties, Mrs Erkmen said there is no ground for any concern for the current users of the properties in question.

The sending of summons and related paperwork to our citizens is purely an informative act, and nothing more she said, complaining that the development has been manipulated by some circles for political purposes.

Underpinning the fact that the basic character and provision of the new Property Law is that it envisages the maintenance of the bizonal order in Cyprus; Mrs Erkmen stressed that the new legislations priority is to protect and uphold the property rights of the `People´ of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ in accordance with the `TRNC Laws´ and regulations that promote the Right to Property.

She also reminded that the new law had been drafted in such a way as to safeguard and protect the property rights which the Turkish Cypriot People would secure in a possible comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Responding to another question by our correspondent, the property commissions chairperson reminded that property held by current users - who themselves have left property behind in the Greek Cypriot controlled South Cyprus - will not be reinstated to their former owners.

She said that property which has been developed or, on which, technical and engineering approvals for future development have been taken, will also not be subjected to reinstatement.

Mrs Erkmen concluded by saying that if, in the eventuality, any property is finally decided to be reinstated to its displaced owner even this process will have to wait until a final and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem is found.

[04] The self-styled Attorney General confirms that Turkey asked information about Serhat Incirli

Mr Sait noted that according to an agreement between Turkey and the TRNC, the Turkish Ministry of Justice asked information about Mr Incirli from the self-styled ministry of internal affairs. Mr Sait alleged that the procedures are the natural result on the basis of the reciprocity of the agreement.

According to the statement, the Turkish Attorney Generals office launched a pre-investigation against Mr Incirli on the accusation of publicly insulting and humiliating the Republic of Turkey.

Furthermore, AFRIKA (21.04.06) writes that Mr Incirli arrived in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus the night before. The police kept him waiting for forty minutes at the illegal Tymbou airport before permitting him to go to Nicosia.

Moreover, AFRIKA (23.04.06) reports that the chairman of the European Journalists Federation, Aidan White has strongly criticized the fact that an investigation is launched against Mr Incirli. The Federation described this action as an attack against the freedom of expression and asked from the Turkish officials to stop the investigation.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The Turkish Secretary-General of the OIC expresses determination to use the Islamic forum to promote Turkey´s partitionist designs against Cyprus

The Secretary-General of the Islamic Conference Organization (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has hailed the Organizations decision to re-name the Turkish Cypriot participation at the conference as the Cyprus Turkish State.

Speaking at an interview on a private television in Turkey, Mr Ihsanoglu said the decision is a reflection of a deep-rooted and a fundamental change of policy on the part of the OIC.

The Secretary General of the Islamic Conference Organization described the decision as an important step towards achieving an end to the Turkish Cypriot

`Peoples´ international isolation and promoting its legitimate rights at international level.

He pointed to the significant step taken by the Organization by addressing the `TRNC´ as the Cyprus Turkish State and said that it is the common objective of the Islamic world to give support to the lifting of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot `People´.

He stressed that the organization has the will to take an active role and the necessary diplomatic activity to promote economic, social, cultural, and educational ties with the Turkish Cypriot people, including on tourism.

He stated that both the Islamic world and the Turkish Cypriot `people´ have respective duties that fall on them in achieving these.

(Tr. Note: TRNC is the subordinate to Ankara regime set up by Turkey through the force of arms in 1974 in the territories of Cyprus.

[06] Greek Cypriot lawyer Constantis Kantounas was arrested by the occupation regime´s police

The newspaper reports that the charge against Mr Kantounas is based on the claim that without any reason, he said inappropriate things in the middle of the road to Susan Hollindrake, who lives in the occupied Karmi village, in February 2005.

The charges against Mr Kantounas were dropped on 16 August 2006, but yesterday he was again arrested and charged for the same offences.

The hearing of the trial is to take place on 12 May 2006.

Mr Constantis Kantounas is the lawyer of Mr Meletis Apostolides in the known Orams case.

(M/L)

[07] More illegal immigrants were arrested in the occupied area of Cyprus

The Syrians entered the occupied area of Cyprus through Kyrenia port by hiding themselves in a TIR lorry.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Kyrgyzstan football team will play in the occupied area

During the meetings the sides had extended the cooperation protocol signed in 18.06.2004. The sides further agreed that Kyrgyzstan Super Football league Champion team will visit the occupied area in March 2007 and during its stay it will play two matches with the Turkish Cypriot Turkocagi team. Also on Wushu branch there will be bilateral competitions. This will be realized under the cooperation protocol signed between Kyrgyzstan Wushu Federation and so-called Taekwondo, Karate, Kurash and Wushu federation of the occupied area. Furthermore the sides agreed that the Music Group of the Osh University will take part in the festivals to be organized in the occupied area.

(MHY)

[09] Members of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry in Baku conclude number of agreements on company basis

The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry has announced that a six-man delegation headed by the chairman of the Chamber, Salih Tunar, had visited Baku and held a number of contacts there. During the visit business agreements on a company basis were concluded in Food, Banking, Pharmaceuticals, Education and Textiles.

Commenting on the visit Mr Tunar said that the visit was very productive and that reciprocal visits started bearing fruits.

[10] Statements by Ozkok and Buyukanit on the troop mobilization to the Iraqi border

Appearing on CNN Turk, Buyukanit took questions about the reports of additional troops to southeastern cities and denied claims that the military's headquarters will be relocated to the southeast this summer. "Our operations are ongoing there and will continue in the future," said Buyukanit, adding that it is the media that has interpreted this year's deployment of additional troops differently.

Underlining that the military is determined to fight terrorism, Buyukanit said, "One can't have terrorism on the one hand and chant slogans for peace on the other. Democracy doesn't include violence."

Brushing aside a question on whether there are any cross-border operations, Buyukanit also declined to comment on last week's dismissal of Van Public Prosecutor Ferhat Sarikaya.

Sarikaya, the author of an indictment that leveled claims against Buyukanit, was dismissed on Thursday from his profession by the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).

Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok is also reported to have denied reports of the deployment of 240,000 troops to southeastern cities in a meeting he held with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal in Parliament over the weekend.

However, there are continuing reports of increased military activity in the southeast. While the number of troops in the region has broken the 150,000 level for the first time in a long time, troops' annual leave has been suspended for six months, and soldiers currently on leave will be recalled to their units.

Military officials said that the decision to suspend annual leave wasn't taken directly by the General Staff or the Land Forces commander.

Military operations against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) are expected to be stepped up after all the military units have adjusted to their new postings.

On the same issue, Turkish daily MILLIYET newspaper (25/04/06) reports under banner headlines Critical Visit, the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rices todays visit to Ankara. The paper reports that the main issues on the agenda are the PKK and Iraq.

First message from the Ambassador

Briefing about Rices visit today to Ankara the US Ambassador to Turkey, Ross Wilson commenting on the Turkish Chief of the General Staff General Hilmi Ozkoks statement that : If the conditions are created we could engage in cross border pursuit in North Iraq, said: I do not think that this is a good idea. Ambassador Wilson went on and said that the main issues on the Secretary of States agenda are Iran, Iraq, Cyprus and the Middle East. As for the Armenians attempt in the US Congress to pass a bill regarding the recognition of the massacres as genocide, Ambassador Wilson said that he has sent messages to the effect that such a bill should not pass.

Another item in todays MILLIYET, is Kurdish leader Mesut Barzanis security warning to Turkey. The leader of the Federal Kurdistan region of Iraq Mesut Barzani, answering questions put to him by Al Arabia TV correspondent about north Iraq, Mr. Barzani said that they want to develop north Iraq like Dubai, a free trade and information region. When the correspondent, without giving name implying Turkey, asked whether North Iraqs neighbours will allow this arrangement Mr. Barzani replied: I say openly, if some people try to preclude our peoples rights and try to stop our progress caravan, in turn we will preclude their being in security and stability.

Turkish daily HURRIYET newspaper (25/04/06) reports that former Democracy Party (DEP) deputy Leyla Zana left for Erbil, north Iraq at the invitation of Kurdish Leaders Celal Talabani and Mesut Barzani. The paper reports that Mrs. Zana during her four- day stay in Erbil will try to sound out the chances for a new non-combat period in Southeast Turkey.

[11] More discussions on the Secret Constitution

[12] MIT agents are using press cards

[13] Semi Bora the candidate of UBP for the illegal occupied Lefkosia municipality

Boras nomination was announced last night after an election at the party during which delegates were asked to choose between two candidates Semi Bora and Mehmet Ali Celik.

Bora received the support of 194 delegates and Mr Celik 89.

/SK

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