Cyprus-Forum.com

[Kikapu]

News from the North................

Speaking on behalf of the group, Ahmet Kaptan, President of the Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Union reminded that a ‘United Federal Cyprus’ was the solution formula envisaged by the Annan Plan which had received the approval of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Ahmet Kaptan seems clueless about the Annan Plan being a "Federal Solution". As long as the word "Federal" appeared somewhere in the 9000+ pages of the AP, then it must have been a "Federal Solution", when it had all the ingredients of a "Confederation Solution" with "Partition Flavours" added just for good measure.

The Annan Plan can best be described as "one man's garbage is another man's treasure". :lol:

I'll let you guys figure out who would have had the "treasure" and who would have ended up with the "garbage".!!

So much for such wisdom coming from Ahmet Kaptan and the likes of him to lecture us on missing such opportunity for a "Federal Solution" as the Annan Plan envisaged and that we should strive to get another one just like it this time around again..!!

[halil]

News from The North...........

The forest fire which broke out on Saturday near the Catalkoy village in Girne(Kyreania) – has been continuing to burn internally.

Strong winds and geographical features of the area are hampering the cooling down efforts being carried out by fire fighters.

The Mayor of Catalkoy Necdet Numan told the BRT that the fire is under control but said that intervention from air is still needed.

The fire destroyed 105 donums of forest land covered with pines, cypress and sandalwood.

Yesterday, a court ordered three days of detention for three men – who were detained on suspicion of starting the fire.

[halil]

News from the North

BI-COMMUNAL CHORUS FOR PEACE IN CYPRUS PERFORMED IN HUNGARY

The Bi-communal chorus for Peace in Cyprus has sung Cyprus songs at an event in Hungary.

The Musicians Without Borders and the European Centre for the Middle East organized the event which was also attended by choruses from South Cyprus, Hungary, the Netherlands, Estonia and Bosnia.

During the event, seminars were also held, during which it’s been stated that music has the strength to bring people of different races and religions together.

Choruses from different countries sang their songs for peace.

[Jerry]

It looks like at least one Brit is getting a bit fed up with "paradise"in the sun. His friendly hosts in "trnc" are trying to rip him off, businesses are closing down because of lack of trade, pensioners cheques are bouncing and the opposition party is failing to oppose.

What next, nasty Greek Cypriots asking for their property back? How unfair!

Serves the greedy, carpetbagging, exploiting others peoples' misery, money grabbing, cheapskate, despicable, lower than a squashed turd, bastards right.

First of the month and a bit of a gripe. We just love this island and particularly the TRNC and have lived here now for 6 years, building up friendships with ex-pats and locals alike, but it is changing.

The government here is a total disaster and have messed up the economy in a worse way than the lovely Gordon Brown. The incompetent ministers have a completely free hand to pass any law, price hike etc. that they like, because believe it or not, the main opposition party, lead by Serdar Denktas, have not attended parliament for almost two years. What sort of government is that? The result is now that the local people are very very disillusioned and fear the worst economic crisis is heading there way.

They are now closing down businesses as they are unable to meet the overheads. This week I saw two seafront cafes close near the Dome hotel, due they said to there being no business and no tourists.

One of the sad results of this is that we ex-pats are seen as a target for extra income and have to be very careful. I had a prime example of this only today. My Honda came for some unknown reason without central remote locking. Not a big problem you say to fit. I took my car to a local auto electrical place and they quoted me 250 YTL. A local friend said that is ridiculous, bring the car to my office and my cousin will take it for you. I did just that, got my car back 2 hours later and paid 100 YTL. It is not just the extra possible cost that is so bad, but what I feel really sad about is that the guy saw an opportunity to rip me off for a lot of money. Many friends are experiencing similar situations and we have to exercise extreme care.

The local union leaders, and there are many of these, are beginning to shout very loud about price hikes and lack of governmental control. So much so that they say that they could bring pressure to bear that would seriously damage the peace process. They are trying to force the current government to quit because of inefficiency and because they say they are reckless and unreliable. This would put President Talat into a difficult position whilst trying to negotiate the peace process.

The finance minister is coming under increased pressure to meet government salaries and pensions every month, in fact one pensioners cheque for only 874 YTL bounced due to lack of funds. They say this was only a bank error, but.......there is a forecast 200 million YTL deficit this year and Turkey are refusing to help.

[Kikapu]

The News from North ...............News from the North ........News ....News.........................News .... only news !!!!!!!!!!



FIFA ANNOUNCE THAT TRNC FOOTBALL TEAMS ARE ALLOWED TO MAKE FRIENDSHIP MATCHES WITH FOREIGN TEAMS
The International Football Federation-FIFA has told the good news to the TRNC Football Federation by officially announcing its decision to allow the TRNC national team and teams in the TRNC football league to hold ‘friendship matches’ with foreign national and local teams.

Some say the decision can be perceived as the allusive recognition of the TRNC by FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations- UEFA .
As world countries except Turkey recognized the Greek Cypriot side as the official representative of Cyprus, the TRNC Football Federation did not have the opportunity to become a member to FIFA or UEFA, thus TRNC football teams could not make matches with foreign teams.

In the past, TRNC’s Cetinkaya team was scheduled to make a match with Britain’s Luton team but the match was cancelled later upon the Greek Cypriot side’s application to FIFA and UEFA, which raised concern among the British due to the possibility of receiving a punishment.

"Some say the decision can be perceived as the allusive recognition of the TRNC by FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations- UEFA ".

No one is saying anything like that Halil, except for BAYRAK.!!



ReutersPublished: July 31, 2008

FIFA offers Turkish Cypriots chance to play friendlies

ZURICH: World football's governing body FIFA has offered an interim deal to the Turkish Cypriot Football Association that could allow the disputed northern territory to stage friendly international matches.

FIFA and its European counterpart UEFA announced on Thursday that an offer had been made following a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot FA (CTFA) "with a view to improving relations between the football communities on the island of Cyprus".

FIFA did not disclose any further details but CTFA chairman Omer Adali told Reuters the proposal would allow friendly matches to be played against foreign teams as well as sides from the Greek Cypriot part of the divided island.

"This is an interim measure prior to a solution to the Cyprus problem," Adali told Reuters by telephone.

"To play in formal competitions you have to be a member of FIFA. The only way would be to join the Greek Cypriot league, but we are not willing to do this. Therefore we would only be able to play friendly matches under this proposal."

NOT EASY

The offer still has to be accepted by CTFA and Adali said this would "not be an easy decision".

Turkish Cypriot teams were involved in the founding of the Cypriot FA in 1934 but withdrew from the island's unified league in 1955 after disputes between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities worsened.

Turkish Cypriot teams and players have since been unable to participate in official international matches.

The Turkish Cypriot enclave of about 240,000 people was carved out of territory seized by Turkey in an invasion in 1974 triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup in Cyprus, and has only been officially recognised by Ankara.

Cyprus has frustrated a long list of mediators attempting to reunite the island's two communities.

FIFA's articles only allow associations from independent states "recognised by the international community" to become members and accepts only one association for each country.

The unofficial Turkish Cypriot FA has repeatedly rejected calls to join the officially recognised Cypriot FA, arguing that the body does not represent their region.

(Writing by Mark Ledsom in Budapest, additional reporting by Simon Bahceli in Nicosia)

(Editing by Ken Ferris)

http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/200 ... CYPRUS.php

Cyprus FA says FIFA decision causing ‘unnecessary trouble’
By Leo Leonidou

THE Cyprus Football Association (CFA) yesterday said that a deal to allow the Turkish Cypriot Football Association (CTFA) to stage friendly matches “has created a lot of unnecessary noise and trouble.”

On Thursday, football’s world and European governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, announced that they had made an offer to the unofficial CTFA “with a view to improving relations between the football communities on the island.”

Two days later, FIFA clarified that the proposal only applies to club matches.

“The offer would allow Turkish Cypriot clubs to play friendlies against clubs from other countries but we are not talking about the setting up of a new national side,” FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola was quoted by Reuters as saying.

“There are also two conditions attached. Firstly any clubs wanting to take up the offer would have to be affiliated to the official Cypriot FA.

“Secondly, in accordance with our statutes, the official FA would have to give its approval for these matches to go ahead.”

Yesterday, CFA Vice President Charis Loizides confirmed to the Mail that, “in order for any matches to be staged in the north, the CTFA must sign a document whereby they recognise the CFA and agree to become members. This must be done by September.”

He added that current FIFA members have so far “not accommodated any request for a friendly match without our prior approval.”

On Thursday, CTFA chairman Omer Adali described the offer as “an interim measure” and told Reuters that its acceptance by the CTFA’s members would “not be an easy decision.”

Turkish Cypriot teams were involved in the founding of the Cypriot FA in 1934 but withdrew from the island’s unified league in 1955 after disputes between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities worsened.

Turkish Cypriot teams and players have since been unable to participate in official international matches.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2008

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=40712

So basically, these are the same conditions that was asked of the north to be able to play with Luton Town last year, which was refused, and as a result, the game was cancelled, and Talat got "pissy" and cancelled an important meeting with Papadopoulos.

Sorry Halil, but no one is saying anything like that below as you wrote in your "News from the north", because it was not news at all, but more of an wishful opinion. You really need to understand the difference between NEWS, COMMENTARY and OPINION.

"Some say the decision can be perceived as the allusive recognition of the TRNC by FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations- UEFA".

[DT.]

Halil, has caught the dreaded desease of Shaking his legs before he gets on the horse.

Souzi ta pothkia tou prin kavalijepsi.

[halil]

The Presidential spokesman Hasan Ercakica has said that the Turkish Cypriot Side is ready for comprehensive negotiations set to begin on the 3rd of September.
Speaking during his weekly press briefing, the spokesman reminded that the Greek Cypriot Side frequently enunciated the political developments in Turkey as an obstacle for the success of the negotiations process.

He said that conclusion of the case concerning the closing of the AK Party was a positive development for the upcoming negotiations.
Repeating the President’s earlier statements, the Ercakica said that important progress towards finding a settlement could be reached by the end of this year and that comprehensive solution plan could emerge by the first half of 2009.

Asked to comment on which areas will be hard or easy to negotiate on, the President spokesman said that it was not possible to make such classification.
But he said that the issue of property, as mentioned earlier by President Talat, was among the more complicated issues to be taken up during the negotiations process.
“Nevertheless, even the most complicated issue can be solved if there is the willingness to do so. It is possible to solve these issues by constructively simplifying them” he added.

Pointing out that the issue of property could be solved through methods such as compensation, exchange or restitution; he said there wasn’t a problem which couldn’t be solved.
Explaining that the Greek Cypriot Side’s established policies on the Cyprus Problem were aimed at capitalizing the benefits of EU membership, Ercakica said that whether or not the Greek Cypriot Side will abandon these policies will only be clear once negotiations start.
The President Spokesman also said that the establishment of a direct hotline, agreed earlier by the two leaders, had still not been created.

Commenting on the latest forest fire in Catalkoy, the spokesman said that help had been requested from Turkey, the British Bases and the Greek Cypriot Side to put out the fire.
He explained that two helicopters from the British bases which joined in the operation had been sufficient in putting out the fire and said “it was out of the question for some authorities to prevent assistance from the Greek Cypriot Side.”

Also commenting on the upcoming ceremony aimed to mark the Erenkoy resistance on the 8th of August, the Presidential spokesman said that they were disappointed to hear that crossings to be carried out through the Yesilirmak gate will be blocked by Greek Cypriot villagers.

[halil]

News from the North..................

The citizen’s initiative for the opening of Lokmaci crossing point has reacted to statements made by Muhtar of Pirgo Costas Mihalidis concerning plans by villagers to block crossings to Erenkoy on the 8th of August.
The initiative president Valentina Sofokleus described the Pirgo Mukhtar’s statement as negative and said that it was not possible to achieve anything on a tit-for-tat mentality.

She said that they perceived such statements issued at a time when negotiations to reach a peace in Cyprus was going on, as negative and unconstructive.
Sofokleus also called on all sides to exercise patience in order to help the two leaders in their efforts aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

Urging the people to be aware of their responsibilities, she reminded that the opening of the Yesilirmak gate is at the negotiations table and warned people not to be deceived by such deliberate provocations aimed a hampering the solution process.
Earlier, the Mukhtar of Pirgo Costas Mihailidis announced plans to block the way to the Erenkoy village on Friday when Turkish Cypriots are to cross into the South to commemorate the martyrs who fell during the Erenkoy Resistance.

He said the villagers will block the way to Erenkoy to protest the failure to open the Yesilirmak Gate for crossings.
On the 25th of July, President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias instructed their special representatives to take up the issue of the Yesilirmak gate and other crossing points.

[halil]

THE NEWS.....FROM NORTHERN CYPRUS ..................

ERASLAN: ACTIONS OF NGOs WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT WITHDRAWS THE PRICE INCREASES

More than forty organizations have decided to launch a series of actions to protest the recent prices increases by the government.
Announcing the decisions at the end of an evaluation meeting yesterday, the President of the Cyprus Turkish secondary School Teachers’ Union Adnan Eraslan said that the organizations will continue their struggle until the government withdraws the recent price increases.

Mr Eraslan said members of 41 organizations will distribute leaflets tomorrow in all big towns to provide information to the public on the issue.
And on Friday, the organizations will stage a protest action in Lefkosa to call on the government to withdraw the recent price hikes.

COST OF LIVING GOES UP FOR JULY

The cost of living in the TRNC has gone up by 1.6 per cent over the last month according to figures released by the State Planning Organization.
Overall increase in the cost of living for this year has been 11.5%.
According to the figures, the highest rise was recorded in the price of housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel.

[halil]

THE NEWS FROM NORTHERN CYPRUS ..................

REPORT SAYS ‘NATIONAL ACTION PLAN’ SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TACKLE HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN N.CYPRUS

Legal regulation, including the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, is needed to fight against human trafficking which is becoming more widespread in the whole world, including North Cyprus, a study has revealed.
In a final report prepared in the light of a study on human trafficking and violations of human rights in North Cyprus by the Prologue Consulting Ltd, it’s been stated that a `National Action Plan` should also be prepared against trafficking in human beings.

The report which draws attention to the loopholes in law, which it says, have turned North Cyprus a country where human trafficking can easily be made.
Pointing to the importance of cooperation between police and civil society organizations, it says women are being exploited sexually and men are being exploited in workforce.

The Director of the Prologue Consulting Ltd Mine Yucel said that the report was prepared after an evaluation of laws of many countries and organizations and problems being faced in various countries.
Pointing to the need to protect the private lives of the victims of human trafficking, she said physical, socially and legal protection should be provided to the victims.

She noted that a care centre should be opened for the victims of human trafficking.
She also called for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by the TRNC government as a first step in the fight against trafficking.