Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-01-28

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Greek Cypriot properties are being distributed; Soyer said they annulled the sales of properties but they will discuss the issue after the elections

[02] It is not Las Vegas, it is Las Karpass

[03] Ercakica said the excavations for missing persons will be held in military areas when the day comes

[04] Soyer described as random statement the confession of the Turkish actor Atilla Olgac

[05] Izcan asked for the commencement of a process for bringing to trial those who killed civilians from both communities in Cyprus

[06] Criminal complaint against Turkish actor Atilla Olgac

[07] Garry Robb was arrested in the occupied areas of Cyprus for illegally possessing a weapon

[08] Nami said the goal is a referendum before the end of the year

[09] Eroglu argued that the economy of the breakaway regime, the Cyprus problem and the Orams case are among the reasons for the decision of the government for early elections

[10] Turkish Cypriot paper asks for the restoration of Agios Panteleymon church in the occupied Myrtou village

[11] An international conference with the participation of representatives from 35 countries will be organized in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[12] The seventh Tourism Office was opened in occupied Lefka

[13] The family of Halil Mulla who was murdered 19 years ago asked the opening of the case

[14] Bagis attended a working luncheon with EU ambassadors in the Embassy of Czech Republic in Ankara

[15] The Turkish Prime Minister calls on his supporters to boycott the media that criticize him

[16] Statements by Erdogan on actor Atilla Olgacs confession for the execution of Greek Cypriots; Bakirkoy district attorney has launched investigation on Olgac

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Greek Cypriot properties are being distributed; Soyer said they annulled the sales of properties but they will discuss the issue after the elections

Three decisions of the council of ministers have been taken for land the total value of which is approximately £7 million, notes the paper adding that the names of some persons are also included in the proposals. The paper reports that the decisions were taken on 27.08.2008, 12.12.2008 and 07.01.2009 and publishes three long lists with the names of the persons who submitted proposals, the amount they offered and the location of the Greek Cypriot property.

Under the title Lawsuit against the government!, Kibris reports also that the Association of the Holders of Right for Equivalent Property (ESHASDER) has asked for an interim order to stop the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied part of Cyprus by the self-styled government of the breakaway regime. The association stated that these sales are contrary to the constitution and the laws.

The chairman of ESHASDER, Taner Dervis stated to Kibris that they have gotten into action in order to stop, with a court decision, the sale of many Greek Cypriot properties by the government, which tells the Turkish Cypriot refugees from the free areas who possess many millions of points that there is no land.

According to the laws of the breakaway regime, these refugees have the right to acquire occupied Greek Cypriot land in return of these points they were given as equivalent of their property in the free areas of the island. Mr Dervis said that the decision taken by the council of ministers on 23 July 2008 which provides the possibility for the sale of Greek Cypriot properties with the method of tendering is contrary to the laws of the breakaway regime.

Furthermore, Kibris reports that referring to the decision of the government to put Greek Cypriot plots of land up for sale, Hasan Ercakica, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, has said that the sale of state property was halted with the intervention of the Turkish Cypriot leader. In statements during his weekly briefing to the press, Mr Ercakica noted yesterday that this could certainly be a misunderstanding or a wrong act and added that the efforts on this issue were stopped as of the day before yesterday with the intervention of our president.

Furthermore, the paper writes that the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), Dervis Eroglu responding to a question on this issue, said that it is not right to put up for sale property in order to cover the deficits of the budget, while many people are holding equivalent points for the their property in the free areas of the island and the attorney generals office has expressed his opinion on this issue.

Moreover, Kibris reports that the self-styled prime minister, Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the sale of some real estate which belongs to the state stopped, because there has been demagogy and because the damage caused to the country has been taken into consideration.

In statements to the illegal TAK news agency, Mr Soyer said that the issue will be broadly discussed after the elections and a solution will be produced. He noted that in 2008 they decided to put some state property up for sale with the method of inviting tenders, aiming at benefiting the economy and securing resources by creating a fund for those holders of equivalent property points who were unjustly treated.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (28.01.09) refers to the issue under the banner front page title Annulment of the tender of plundering.

(I/Ts.)

[02] It is not Las Vegas, it is Las Karpass

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (28.01.09) reports on the same issue under the title Las Vegas on the making in Cyprus and writes that the investments for tourism in the occupied Famagusta - Karpass region are not limited to the Vegas hotels. A new hotel under the name Sky Line Residence will be opened up in 2011. The 17-storey hotel will have a capacity of 1250 beds. The hotel, owned by the Turkish Cypriot businessman Ali Ozmen Safa, will be Cyprus tallest building, according to the paper. In addition in order for the water needs of the area to be met a desalination plant is under construction by a French-British firm.

Commenting on the issue and the fact that the new tourism establishment in the occupied areas of Cyprus will resemble Las Vegas, the editor-in-chief of Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen, (28.01.09) Cenk Mutluyakali, writes: I do not know about Las Vegas However, from time to time it is true that we resemble Texas!

Under the title A new "Las Vegas" in Cyprus Turkish daily Sabah (27.01.09) writes the following: Sixteen five-star hotels, a shopping center and marinas are amongst the projects to be completed by 2010 in Cyprus may result in turning the Magosa-Karpaz desert resembling Las Vegas.

There is practically no sector that remains unaffected by the global economic crisis. The construction sector, which had gained acceleration prior to the crisis, is especially experiencing a decrease in activity. Even TOKI, the government's official construction company has put certain investments on the shelf for now. However, despite all of the current negative conditions there are certain investments that are still ongoing at full speed. In the Magosa-Karpaz region in Cyprus, investments including the development of hotels and a shopping center are amongst the projects that are still continuing despite the worldwide crisis.

With the collaboration of the Northern Cyprus government and the private sector, a version of Las Vegas is being established in the region. The project is being referred to as a new 'Las Vegas' due to the fact that 16 five-star concept hotels are being built in Northern Cyprus. The projects include hotels that will resemble Italy's coliseum, Babel's Gardens, Artemis' temple and Noah's Ark. Within the scope of the project a 52,000 guest capacity will be available, when all of the new hotels are completed. The Karpaz Bay Resort will also include a marina with a 350-yacht capacity, which is anticipated to be completed in two years.

In addition to the variety of tourism investments, the Big Old Bazaar is a shopping Center project which is aimed to resemble the Grand Bazaar. The Big Old Bazaar will encompass a 45 thousand meter square region, 18,000 of which will be enclosed. Forty-percent of the project's 850 units and 360 stores have already been sold. Giant brands such as Adidas, Nike, and Koton as well as all of Cyrus's national banks and certain Turkish national banks have already secured their spots in the center. Stores, with an 18-meter squared capacity are being sold at starting prices of 19,900 Sterling. The price of the biggest store in the center, at 45 square meters is priced at 67,000 Sterling. Store prices are anticipated to double when the project is completed.

(CS)

[03] Ercakica said the excavations for missing persons will be held in military areas when the day comes

In statements during his weekly briefing to the press, Mr Ercakica noted yesterday that they are closely following the developments regarding the allegations of the Turkish actor Atilla Olgac, who confessed on a television program that he killed ten persons during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, including a 19 year-old prisoner of war. He said that they were informed that the competent organs in Turkey are continuing their work on this issue and that the Committee on Missing Persons decided to start work to get the information which concerns it.

Noting that the developments and the evaluations after the statement by Olgac created doubts regarding the seriousness of this statement, Mr Ercakica added: Therefore it is useful for this issue not to be exploited, but to be followed with seriousness, because of its sensitivity.

Responding to a question, Hasan Ercakica said that there is no problem on the issue of carrying out excavations in military areas and added that searches will be carried out there when the day comes according to the planning of the Committee on Missing Persons. He said that this issue has been raised by President Christofias some time ago and the Turkish Cypriot leader told him that the searches will continue in these areas as well when the day comes, but the issue should not be turned into political.

Mr Ercakica reminded that Mr Talat and the late President Papadopoulos had determined a common stance on the issue of not turning the problem of the missing persons into political and this stance resulted in speeding up the work for determining the fate of the missing persons.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Soyer described as random statement the confession of the Turkish actor Atilla Olgac

(I/Ts.)

[05] Izcan asked for the commencement of a process for bringing to trial those who killed civilians from both communities in Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[06] Criminal complaint against Turkish actor Atilla Olgac

A nongovernmental association has filed a criminal complaint against Turkish actor Attila Olgac, who said last week that he had executed a prisoner of war in Cyprus. The complaint claims that the actor attempted to depict Turkey and its nation as guilty of war crimes.

We believe that such an ugly incident has not happened in the history of our nation. Olgac's remarks caused unrest in our society and cast a shadow on our Cyprus case, stated Ali Erdogan Nomer, who filed a criminal complaint yesterday against the actor on behalf of the Clean Society Movement Association. Olgac told a Turkish television program last week that while serving in the Turkish army during the 1974 intervention he shot at least one prisoner dead on orders from a superior. The first person that I killed was a 19-year-old soldier who was taken prisoner, Olgac was quoted by Turkish newspapers as saying on the program. Later in the day, however, Olgac retracted his statement, saying it was false. Olgac's remarks caused tension between the Turkish and Greek governments, and Greek Cyprus urged Turkey to account for some 1,500 people missing since its intervention on the island 35 years ago.

[07] Garry Robb was arrested in the occupied areas of Cyprus for illegally possessing a weapon

(I/Ts.)

[08] Nami said the goal is a referendum before the end of the year

The paper notes: Nami, who said that the process is proceeding positively and that he is hopeful, explained that the differences of opinion on the chapter Administration and Power Sharing could be overcome.

According to the paper, Mr Nami said: There is no congestion in the process that will cause pessimism. The picture of it is not possible at all for the sides to reach agreement on issues on which consensus was not achieved does not exist. There are difficulties, but this is natural.

(ML/I/Ts.)

[09] Eroglu argued that the economy of the breakaway regime, the Cyprus problem and the Orams case are among the reasons for the decision of the government for early elections

Meanwhile, Kibris reports that in an interview with the illegal TAK news agency, Mr Eroglu said that only two parties are certain to pass the threshold in the elections of 19 April and these parties are the UBP and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP). Under the title They employed six thousand persons, they gave the citizenship to three thousand persons, the paper writes that Mr Eroglu criticized the actions of the CTP government.

According to Mr Eroglu, the government took the decision for early elections because of the following reasons: The fact that it will not be able to cope in 2009 with the budget it prepared, the collapse of the economy and the inability of the government to deal with it, the fact that it saw that no solution will be achieved to the Cyprus problem in 2009 and the wish to hide itself behind the solution in the elections, the conclusion of the Orams case in the period between May and June and the fact that this case will create great difficulties to the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Turkish Cypriot paper asks for the restoration of Agios Panteleymon church in the occupied Myrtou village

(I/Ts.)

[11] An international conference with the participation of representatives from 35 countries will be organized in the occupied areas of Cyprus

(ML)

[12] The seventh Tourism Office was opened in occupied Lefka

The cost of the building was around 140 thousand Turkish Liras. In statements during the ceremony Mr Sanlidag said that the number of tourists who visited the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus was reduced in the year 2008, whereas the number of tourists to the occupied areas was increased and added that this increase is the result of the efforts exerted in the tourism field by the occupation regime.

(CS)

[13] The family of Halil Mulla who was murdered 19 years ago asked the opening of the case

(CS)

[14] Bagis attended a working luncheon with EU ambassadors in the Embassy of Czech Republic in Ankara

Turkey's newly appointed chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis has said the entire Turkish nation has focused its attention on the goal of full membership in the EU, adding that the EU was not only a project of the Turkish citizens of today but also that of their children and the future.

Bagis, who is Turkey's first full-time EU negotiator, gathered for a working lunch yesterday with the ambassadors of EU member states at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ankara. The Czech Republic is the current holder of the EU presidency.

In his speech, Bagis recalled that following his appointment, he and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a three-day official visit to Brussels and they made it clear to all EU officials that Turkey was determined about its goal of EU accession.

Citing several developments which recently took place in Turkey such as the launch of a Kurdish TV station, the release of a national program of economic development, a government roadmap for EU reform, the restoration of famous Turkish poet Naz1m Hikmet's citizenship, the appointment of a full-time EU negotiator and Erdogan's visit to Brussels, Bagis said all these developments showed that Turkey is focusing its attention on its goal of EU accession with the participation of its government, its opposition, the old, the young, Easterners, Westerners, its military and its civilians.

I say this all the time. This is not only our project, but a project of our children, who are our future. We expect support from everyone. We want to cooperate with everyone. We hope to achieve this goal together, added Bagis.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia (A.A.) news agency (27.01.09) reported the following from Ankara:

The ambassadress of the Czech Republic, currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU, said her country was eager to see Turkey on the EU path and Turkey could play a very important role in the EU with its strategic position.

Speaking to the A.A correspondent after the luncheon attended by Egemen Bagis, Turkey's State Minister & chief negotiator for European Union (EU) talks, and the ambassadors of EU member states at a working luncheon in the embassy on Tuesday, Ambassadress Eva Filipi said the luncheon was a very fruitful one.

Filipi said she believed that the reform process (of Turkey) would speed up.

[15] The Turkish Prime Minister calls on his supporters to boycott the media that criticize him

Addressing a party meeting yesterday, the Turkish Prime Minister said: Do not waste your money on buying these newspapers. Mr Erdogan said that the media twisted the facts about his remarks regarding Gaza and his talks in Brussels. The reality is different, what they wrote is different. In my meetings in Brussels, they told me, you have imposed a restriction to the Press. No, I do not. But I am using a civilian initiative. Lets start a campaign against the media that cover false stories by not buying their publications, the Turkish PM said.

(EA)

[16] Statements by Erdogan on actor Atilla Olgacs confession for the execution of Greek Cypriots; Bakirkoy district attorney has launched investigation on Olgac

Meanwhile, the webpage of NTVMSNBC (28.01.09) reports that the District Attorney of Bakirkoy, Ali Cakir has launched an investigation against Atilla Olgac according to the Geneva Convention on the Laws of War. The attorney will determine the address of the residence of Atilla Olgac and take his testimony regarding his above-mentioned statements.

If the attorney of the Republic Cakir finds actor Olgac to be guilty, the file will be sent to the Geneva Court on War Crimes through the General Directorate of International Law of the Ministry of Justice, reports NTVMSNBC.

(I/Ts.)

EG/

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