Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-01-16

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Talat during Fazil Kucuks commemoration ceremony

[02] Soyer is going to Istanbul

[03] KTOS held a demonstration against Talat for preventing KTFA of being member of KOP. Adal stated that they will try again to change FIFAs proposal

[04] The so-called Civil Aviation stated that the Civil Aviation of the Republic of Cyprus has no authority over the North Cyprus

[05] Occupied Cyprus serves as a shelter of the Ergenekon members

[06] UN Secretary-General pays a visit to Turkey today

[07] Erdogan to discuss Turkeys EU accession in Brussels between 18-20 January

[08] Independent Turkey Committee delegation, lead by former Finnish president Ahtisaari, reaffirms support to Turkeys EU bid

[09] First message from Gul to Obama

[10] Turkish Human Rights Foundation notes a rise in suspicious murders and deaths

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Talat during Fazil Kucuks commemoration ceremony

The late founding leader of the Turkish Cypriot people, Dr Fazil Kucuk was remembered today on the 25th anniversary of his death.

In his speech to commemorate Dr Kucuk, President Mehmet Ali Talat praised the works of the former leader which played a vital role in the gaining of todays Turkish Cypriot position.

Talat said that Dr Kucuk made big contributions to the Turkish Cypriot freedom and existence, as well as to the formation of a strong communal consciousness. The President went on to say that the former Turkish Cypriot leader represented the Turkish Cypriot people as equal partners of the state when the Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960.He also set off the Turkish Cypriot struggle against the Greek Cypriot EOKA organization, which started the Turkish Cypriot killing, Talat reminded.

Today we do make serious efforts to reach a settlement on the Cyprus issue and get integrated with the rest of the world. Dr Kucuks values and principles shed light on our path. We hope to reach a peaceful outcome at the end, the President said.

Mr Talat moved on saying that the Turkish Cypriot side is maintaining its peaceful efforts on the Cyprus issue in cooperation with Turkey- which he said provides its unconditional support to Turkish Cypriots in all cases. Reminding that Dr Kucuk had always referred to the necessity for solving the Cyprus problem together with Turkey, President Talat said that this thinking is still valid today.

[02] Soyer is going to Istanbul

(DPs)

[03] KTOS held a demonstration against Talat for preventing KTFA of being member of KOP. Adal stated that they will try again to change FIFAs proposal

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (16.01.09) reports that the Chairman of Turkish Cypriot Football Association (KTFA), Omer Adal, in a written statement, said that it is not possible to accept the proposal of FIFA to be member of the Cyprus Football Association (KOP), adding that they will continue to have discussions with officials of FIFA/UEFA and KOP in order to be able to change the proposal to be acceptable.

(DPs)

[04] The so-called Civil Aviation stated that the Civil Aviation of the Republic of Cyprus has no authority over the North Cyprus

(DPs)

[05] Occupied Cyprus serves as a shelter of the Ergenekon members

The paper report that the retired brigadier general Levent Ersoz seven months ago left Turkey for Russia one day before an arrest warrant was issued against him regarding his involvement in the Ergenekon under ground organization and he was at large until his arrest the other day.

Levent Ersoz was the former head of the Gendarmerie Intelligence Department. Under his command the Gendarmerie Intelligence Department tapped the telephone conversations of high level Turkish officials. He was also considered as the Key name in the attempted coupes detat code named: Sarikiz -Blondie and Ayisigi- Moonlight in Turkey.

The papers report that he had entered Turkey from Zonguldak, north Turkey. He was going to have a prostate operation when he was arrested in the hospital following a tip off by the security services. When he was arrested with him were his son-in-law and an active gendarmerie petty officer.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Todays Zaman newspaper (15.01.09) writes that police sources said intelligence information indicated that Ersoz was planning to escape to occupied Cyprus following the completion of his treatment in the hospital.

(MHY)

[06] UN Secretary-General pays a visit to Turkey today

Mr Ban's visit comes amidst rising tension in the Middle East due to an ongoing Israeli military attack on the Gaza Strip, which has so far killed more than 1,000 people and wounded at least 4,000 others. Ban is scheduled to meet with President Abdullah Gul and later with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the recent developments in the Israeli military's assault against Gaza. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan is expected to attend both meetings.

[07] Erdogan to discuss Turkeys EU accession in Brussels between 18-20 January

This is also the first visit from Turkey to Brussels at prime minister level after 2004 December Summit.

Turkey's accession process, Turkish-EU relations as well as regional and international matters are expected to be discussed during Erdogan's visit. Erdogan is scheduled to meet a delegation led by Barroso, the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pottering, and the chairmen of European Parliament Political Groups.

The Turkish Prime Minister will deliver speech on Turkish-EU relations at a think-tank organization, European Policy Center, in Brussels on January 19.

Erdogan will also meet representatives of associations of Turkish citizens living in Belgium on January 18.

[08] Independent Turkey Committee delegation, lead by former Finnish president Ahtisaari, reaffirms support to Turkeys EU bid

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has received members of the Independent Turkey Committee led by former Finnish president and Nobel laureate Martti Ahtisaari at the Cankaya Presidential Residence in Ankara.

Newly appointed State Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis was also in attendance at the closed-door meeting.

During the meeting, President Gul reiterated that Turkey was determined about becoming a full member of the EU while Bagis informed members of the Committee on steps to be taken by Turkey in the membership process.

Independent Turkey Committee members renewed their support to Turkey's EU process. They expressed their appreciation with opening of a new TV channel by the state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corp. to broadcast in Kurdish and the government's decision about prominent poet Nazim Hikmet.

They also said that Turkey's significant role in energy and its active policies about the Caucasus and the Middle East entailed its full membership.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also received the members of the Independent Turkey Committee led by former Finnish president and Nobel laureate Martti Ahtisaari, on Thursday.

Erdogan told Ahtisaari about the activities which were carried out regarding Turkey's EU membership process as well as recent steps Turkey took about the issue.

Ahtisaari said during the meeting that Turkey's National Program which was issued on December 31, 2008 would bring momentum to Turkey's EU membership process.

[09] First message from Gul to Obama

[10] Turkish Human Rights Foundation notes a rise in suspicious murders and deaths

The Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TIHV) has published its annual report, in which it states that unsolved murders as well as deaths in detention or prison are the highest in eight years.

Following the publication of its (http://www.tihv.org.tr/tihve/images/stories/right-to-life2008.pdf) annual report, the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TIHV) points to a worrying similarity in numbers of suspicious deaths to the 1990s. While there were two murders committed by unknown assailants in 2007, the number rose to 34 in 2008.

A rise compared to 2007

In addition, there were 37 deaths in extrajudicial killings, when people ignoring a call by the police to stop were shot, or died of random gun fire. There were 27 such deaths in 2007.

As for deaths in detention or prisons, the number has risen from 11 in 2006 and 10 in 2007 to 45 in 2008.

Laws and implementations at fault

Examining the statistics of the last eight years, the foundation found that an improvement between 2000 and 2005 has given way to a lack of respect for the right to life in Turkey. The foundation blames both changes in law and in practice for this deterioration.

TIHV statistics of the last eight years:

Year / murders with unknown assailants / extrajudicial killings, stop warnings, random gun fire / deaths in detention or prison

2000   13  56  59
2001   24  37  57
2002    8  38  48
2003   16  46  22
2004    8  35  38
2005    4  61  16
2006   21  49  11
2007    2  24  10
2008   34  37  45
Total 130 383 306

EG/

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