A Short Break on Northern Cyprus

“LIFT THE ISOLATIONS”

Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) States and Governments Summit has ended. In the communiqué, call for ending the isolations imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots has been reiterated; and strong contribution of the international community has been called for.

In the declaration which referred to the previous resolutions of OIC concerning North Cyprus, it was pointed out that the island was bi-zonal and two sides of the island should have equal rights and it was called for that South Cyprus should also behave within the framework of the Plan of the United Nations. In the declaration, it was emphasized that the member countries of OIC should pay high level visits to North Cyprus , send businessmen delegations, and increase cultural and sportive relations.

In virtue of the resolution taken about Cyprus , TRNC will continue to attend to the sessions of OIC as an observer with the title of “ Turkish Cypriot State ”. TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat, who attended as the “President of Turkish Cypriot State”, stated that they were pleased from the resolutions taken by OIC. Talat stated that in the summit, they made a claim for full membership, and he emphasized that application to the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation had been approved. Stating that the OIC summit was very fruitful, Talat pointed out that they emphasized the injustice of the isolations during the bilateral contacts.

8 JULY IS THE PROCEDURE, ANNAN PLAN IS THE ESSENCE OF THE SUBJECT

TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that in the meeting with Leader of Greek Cypriot Administration Dimitris Hristofyas, they would focus on the general vision, and they would discuss whether a solution is desired or not, and on which basis a solution was desired. Talat also stated that he thought that the negotiations in Cyprus would begin as of the end of April.

President Mehmet Ali Talat pointed out that 8 July Agreement was only a procedure concerning how the negotiations would be, however Annan plan was not a procedure, it was the essence of the subject.

RACIST ATTACK AGAINST TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN THE SOUTH CYPRUS

3 Greek Cypriot Apoel Sports Club supporters attacked three Turkish Cypriots, who work in construction sector in South Cyprus , the day before yesterday. Kamiran Babat, Özdinç Taşkeser and Musa Eryener managed to escape the attack uninjured, however their car was damaged and car glass was broken.

The three had stopped at a red light in front of the Apoel Sports Club when suddenly a group of 15 to 20 from a larger group of 200 fans gathered in front of the club building hurled insults and started throwing beer bottles and stones at the car. Kamiran Babat, who was driving the car, said that they managed to get away when the red light turned green, just after the Club supporters broke the car glass.

He said that they had complained to Greek Cypriot police at the Metehan Checkpoint but had been directed to go to another police station on the grounds that they were not responsible from such incidents.

Babat said that they didn’t dare to go back again to South Cyprus because of this dreadful event.

3G LICENSE GRANTED IN NORTHERN CYPRUS

The telecoms authority for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has granted a 3G license to Turkish operator, Turkcell last Friday. Turkcell launched its network in Northern Cyprus in July 1999. Vodafone, which through its acquisition of Turkey's Telsim also operates a GSM network in Northern Cyprus is also expected to be granted a 3G license shortly.

"Turkish Cypriot mobile phone subscribers will be able to use the new system that enables video data transfer and faster internet access in autumn, the latest," Salih Usar, TRNC Transportation Minister, told reporters at the ceremony.

According to figures from the Mobile World, Turkcell is estimated to have had some 278,000 subscribers in Northern Cyprus at the end of last September - while Vodafone had around 104,000.

Last week, MTN launched a HSDPA upgrade to its network covering Southern Cyprus.