Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-05-08

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Soyer returns from Germany

[02] Lord Hanney delivers a speech at a conference on the Cyprus problem in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[03] Adem discusses the cooperation with Pakistan in the Fields of education and constructions

[04] A delegation from the illegal assembly held contacts in Bali

[05] Turkish Cypriot environmentalists to sue CMC

[06] Developments in the Turkish political scene for elections

[07] Trial regarding the murder of Hrant Dink to begin on the 2nd of July

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Soyer returns from Germany

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer returned to the Republic last night at the end of his contacts in the German state of Hessen at the week-end.

Speaking on his arrival to the Republic, the Premier stated that contacts with foreign countries were very important in explaining the Turkish Cypriot peoples struggle for a solution and existence.

Mr Soyer said he had had contacts with German officials, parliamentarians, representatives of NGOs and business circles and explained them the struggle being waged by the Turkish Cypriot people towards uniting with Europe and the world.

He expressed the hope that positive results of such contacts would be seen in the near future.

Before returning to the Republic, the Premier gave a speech on the Cyprus issue at the Turkish-German Club in Offenbach.

In his speech, Mr Soyer said efforts were underway to get the implementation of the EU decisions on the lifting of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer stated that preventing the Turkish Cypriot People from establishing direct trade links with Europe was contrary to the democratic values and said that efforts were underway to end the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Pointing out that there were Turkish and Greek writings on the Cyprus Pound, he underlined the need to accept the Turkish language as an EU official language.

Mr Soyer also reminded that 6 MPs representing `Cyprus` within the European Parliament were being elected by the Greek Cypriot Side and said `this is a situation making it possible to question the democratic values of the EU`.

On the opening of a gate at Lokmaci, he said that such a move would make the economic reunification of Lefkosia possible but complained that the Greek Cypriot Side which was against the move - has been preventing this.

`We will continue our struggle. It will not be easy but we will succeed` he said.

[02] Lord Hanney delivers a speech at a conference on the Cyprus problem in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Lord Hannay went on and said that in order to start the negotiations the UN process on which agreement was reached last year should start. He said that he likes the idea of creating working groups.

Lord Hannay said that it is logical to have slow progress in the negotiations while creating the components of the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

Referring to mistakes committed by the sides and by those who are directly involved in the conflict Lord Hannay said that one has to take lessons from these mistakes.

In addition, illegal BAYRAK television (07.05.07) broadcast the following:

An international conference entitled The Cyprus Conflict: Looking Ahead organized by the Eastern Mediterranean Universitys Cyprus Policy Centre kicked off today.

The director of the Cyprus Policy Center Ahmet Sözen and Britain's former Special Envoy to Cyprus Lord David Hannay delivered opening speeches at the conference.

In his speech, Mr. Sozen provided information about the conference and said that 18 experts would be attending the two day conference.

For his part, Mr. Hannay made an evaluation of the process that has been continuing in Cyprus since 2004 and said that no progress has been achieved in this period. He stated that the solution of the Cyprus problem would be beneficial for both sides of the island.

Expressing the view that not only the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots but also the international actors had made mistakes on the issue, he said everyone should take lessons from these mistakes.

Stressing that the United Nations was still the main actor for the solution of the problem, Mr. Hannay stated that a last step should be taken for the reunification of the island.

Mr Hannay said that three stages were needed to bring about a solution to the Cyprus problem: the first was to create common interests for a solution, the second was to keep the Cyprus issue and Turkeys EU membership process separate and the third was not to ask for radical changes.

After the opening speeches, presentations were made at the conference.

The first panel titled, `Federalism and Governance in Multi-Ethnic Societies took place in the morning, while the second in the afternoon where `Federalism and Cyprus` was discussed.

(MHY)

[03] Adem discusses the cooperation with Pakistan in the Fields of education and constructions

The Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Sonay Adem is in Pakistan for contacts with Pakistani officials.

During his stay in the country, Mr Adem will hold contacts with Pakistani officials on ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of construction and education.

Mr Adem and an accompanying delegation will return to the Republic on Thursday.

[04] A delegation from the illegal assembly held contacts in Bali

A parliamentary delegation headed by the Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu has returned to the TRNC after completing its contacts in the Indonesian island of Bali.

The delegation attended the 116th Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference which took place between April the 29th and May the 4th.

During their stay in Bali, members of the delegation met the President of the Inter-parliamentary Union Ferdinando Casini and demanded the right to be represented at the Inter-parliamentary Union meetings.

As part of its contacts in Bali, the parliamentary delegation met the President of the Inter-parliamentary Union Ferdinando Casini, Secretary General of the Union Anders Johnson and two facilitators for Cyprus Swedish Felix Gutzwiller and British Derek Conway.

During the meeting with Mr Casini, the TRNC parliamentary delegation discussed the possibility for the elected Turkish Cypriot MPs to be given the right to be represented at the Inter-parliamentary Union meetings.

The issue was also discussed with Felix Gutzwiller and Derek Conway during a meeting also attended by representatives of Greek Cypriot political parties.

But, Greek Cypriot political party representatives opposed the idea, claiming that the Turkish Cypriot MPs should be included in the so-called `Republic of Cyprus` delegation.

For their part, members of the TRNC parliamentary delegation explained that such a move could not be possible before a solution and underlined the need of finding a formula that would make it possible for the Turkish Cypriot people to be represented at the Union until a solution was found to the Cyprus problem.

During the meeting which took place on the 1st of May, various other topics were also discussed.

Members of the TRNC parliamentary delegation also met the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe President Rene Van der Linden who was present at the meeting as an observer.

During the meeting, the TRNC delegation asked Mr van der Lindens support for their efforts aimed at securing the right for the Turkish Cypriot MPs to be represented at the Inter-parliamentary Union Conference.

Currently, Turkish Cypriot MPs enjoy all rights, expect the right to vote, in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

[05] Turkish Cypriot environmentalists to sue CMC

(MHY)

[06] Developments in the Turkish political scene for elections

362 MPs on Monday voted in favour of Article 1 of the constitutional amendment bill pertaining to holding general elections every four years. 452 MPs attended the secret balloting of Article 1. 81 MPs voted against Article 1, 5 abstained, 4 votes were invalid.

356 MPs on Monday voted in favour of Article 2 of the constitutional amendment bill which envisages amendment on the 79th article of the Constitution. 434 MPs attended the secret balloting of Article 2. 69 MPs voted against Article 2, while 6 abstained and 3 votes were invalid.

Article 2 envisages inclusion of procedures and principles of presidential election in the duties and authorities of Higher Board of Election (YSK).

350 MPs voted in favour of Article 4 of the constitutional amendment bill on Monday. Article 4 envisages president's term in office as 5+5 (years) and president's election by people.

415 MPs attended the secret balloting of Article 4. 56 MPs voted against the Article 4, while 4 abstained and 5 votes were invalid. 353 MPs voted in favour of Article 3 of the constitutional amendment bill on Monday.

According to the Article 3, at least one third (184) of total number of MPs will be required in all sessions and elections at the parliament. 426 MPs attended the secret balloting of Article 3. 67 MPs voted against Article 3, while 4 abstained and 2 votes were invalid.

351 MPs voted in favour of Article 5 of the constitutional amendment bill on Monday. The Article 5 sets presidential election process. 399 MPs attended the secret balloting of Article 5. 41 MPs voted against the Article 5, while 3 abstained and 4 votes were invalid. According to Article 5, presidential election will be completed within 60 days before president's term in office ends.

350 MPs voted in favour of Article 6 of the constitutional amendment bill on Monday. 392 MPs attended the secret balloting of the 17th provisional sentence of Article 6. 34 MPs voted against the Article 6, while 4 abstained and 4 votes were invalid.

According to the 17th provisional sentence, the expression (in article 67 of Constitution) as "amendments in electoral laws cannot be applied within 1 year as of its enforcement date" will not be taken into consideration in the presidential election.

Also, Higher Board of Election (YSK) rejected the appeal of the opposition Youth Party (GP) to change general elections date on the grounds that the parliament was unable to elect a new president, YSK deputy Chairman Ahmet Baspinar told reporters on Monday.

Baspinar added that the general elections will be held on July 22nd, 2007 as it was set earlier.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul withdrew his candidacy after the parliament was unable to secure a two-thirds quorum at a renewed meeting on Sunday. Article 102 of the Turkish Constitution orders that parliament should go to general elections immediately, if it is unable to elect a president on time. The GP asked YSK to set the election date as June 24.

Also, Turkish daily TODAYS ZAMAN newspaper (08.05.07) reports that With Parliament set to hold early general elections on July 22, Turkeys Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek and Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim handed in their resignations according to Article 114 of the Turkish Constitution.

The newly appointed Interior Minister is Osman Güne prior Kayseri Governor, Justice Minister Fahri Kasirga, Transportation Minister Ismet Yilmaz. This provision, unique to the Turkish Constitution, is a leftover from the 1961 Constitution. The article reads: Before the parliamentary elections, justice, interior and transportation ministers withdraw from government. If the regular election period has not yet ended, but a decision to renew the elections has been made, independents from inside or outside Parliament shall be appointed to these ministries by the prime minister within five days of the resignations.

Until today 108 ministers have had to bid farewell to their positions before their term in office actually ended under this provision, which seeks to prevent the government from passing laws that would give the ruling party an upper hand in the elections.

[07] Trial regarding the murder of Hrant Dink to begin on the 2nd of July

Istanbul Criminal Court will start a hearing on the murder of journalist Hrant Dink, on July 2nd.

The prosecutor asks for life imprisonment for Erhan Tuncel and Yasin Hayal on charges of inciting O.S. to murder Dink .

In the indictment, the prosecutor also demands up to 48 years of imprisonment for Tuncel, and 30 years in prison for Hayal on charges of being a top member of an armed terrorist organization.

On the other hand, he demands up to 24 years imprisonment for O.S., the hit-man, for killing Dink, taking into consideration the fact that he is below 18.

The indictment also asks for various prison terms for Mustafa Ozturk, Tuncay Uzundal, Zeynel Abidin Yavuz, Ahmet Iskender, Ersin Yolcu, Yasar Cihan, Halis Egemen, Salih Hacisalihoglu, Alper Esirgemez, Irfan Ozkan, Osman Alpay, Erbil Susaman, Numan Sisman, Senol Akduman and Veysel Toprak, on charges of aiding and abetting Hrant Dink killing.

52-year-old Dink, editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, was shot dead in front of his newspaper's office in Istanbul on January 19th.

EG/

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