Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-11-22

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

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 225/00 -- 22.11.00

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee Meetings.

[02] Cem: Turkey not to accept Cyprus as political criterion in EU ties.

[03] Yilmaz: EU to admit Turkey sooner or later by respecting national issues.

[04] Toros 2000 Military Exercises begin, Turkish ships visit.

[05] Turkey/s Ecevit on EU ties, Cyprus.

[06] Denktash says Turkish Cypriots to insist on sovereignty at talks.

[07] Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women meeting.

[08] Denktash to go to Ankara for consultations.

[09] EP Socialist Group delegation meets NGO/s.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee Meetings Anatolia Agency (15:02 hours, 21.11.00) reports that Peter Tempel, a member

``This document which was prepared for Turkey is not different from the ones prepared for other candidate countries,`` said Tempel.

Speaking in the 46th Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) held between Turkey and the European Union (EU), Tempel said that Turkey will benefit from the partnership process, adding that studies have been undertaken in Turkey in the field of democratization after the Helsinki summit.

Commenting that the Helsinki process had political effects, Tempel said that a debate started in Turkey in the fields of human rights, law and democracy.

Tempel said that the views of Turkey were taken when the EU Commission prepared the Accession Partnership Document, adding that Turkey should prepare a national programme in line with the Document and undertake the necessary reforms.

Tempel said that Turkey didn`t accept only the paragraph on Cyprus in the Document, adding that the Document only considers the Helsinki Final Declaration as a reference. Tempel stressed that the Accession Partnership Document does not have the intention of taking out the EU candidacy process of Turkey from the scope of the Helsinki Summit. The basic document is the Helsinki Document, said Tempel.

Werner Langen, the German parliamentarian claimed that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem didn`t mention the things that will be done by Turkey regarding the Copenhagen Criteria to join the EU in the coming period.

Noting that the European Parliament is not under the influence of the governments, Langen said that ``whatever the decision of the governments will be, if the majority of the EP doesn`t approve it, neither Hungary nor Turkey can join the EU.``

Langen said that they don`t deny the efforts of Turkey to access to the EU, adding that yet they want Turkey to make further progress.

The EP can`t take sides against Turkey, said Langen and added that although the resolution on the genocide on Armenians was accepted by 234 votes in the EP, the number of votes of those who were against it and who refrained from voting was more than 234. EP does not have the aim of provoking Turkey, he said.

George Katiforis, the Greek parliamentarian said that it is not correct that the resolution on the genocide on Armenians passed by only the votes of the French and Greek parliamentarians.

``Not only the French and Greek parliamentarians, but the parliamentarians of other countries voted in favour of the resolution. The number of French and Greek parliamentarians is around 100,`` he said.

Katiforis said that the whole of Morillon report was not accepted, adding that articles saying that ``Turks are not a European nation,`` or ``the Turkish identity will damage Europe,`` were rejected.

British parliamentary Geoffrey Van Orden said in his part that Turkey`s undertaking reforms will play a very important role in Turkey`s accession process to the EU.

``Turkey is a very important ally of Europe in this geography.

Turkey has to be more sensitive in certain issues and it shouldn`t react immediately against any minor negative thing,`` he said.

Van Orden claimed that ``firstly, it should be accepted that the isolation of the TRNC economically is a shame. The freedom of movement and trade should be given to TRNC. Later, the problem should be discussed.``

Ozan Ceyhun, a German parliamentarian of Turkish origin said that the decision of the EP should be respected, adding that ``EP has some expectations about the Copenhagen criteria and the minority issue. But our approach and aim in this issue is not to put Turkey into a difficult position.``

European Parliament`s (EP) Rapporteur of Turkey Philippe Morillon said on Tuesday that the role of the Turkish military in the internal politics should be decreased gradually and slowly.

Speaking in the 46th Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) meeting held between the Turkish parliament and the EP, Morillon said that the report on Turkey was prepared in one year and meticulously.

Morillon said that their aim is to build a democratic Europe, adding that ``we shouldn`t lock ourselves in certain criteria because the reconstruction of Europe continues.``

Morillon said that Turkey has a more important status than the other candidate countries, adding that certain issues started to be discussed in Turkey due to the report he prepared and decisions about these issues will be given in time.

The most important three issues the report started to discussion in Turkey are the minority issue, the Cyprus issue and the role of the military in the politics, Morillon said.

Morillon said that they wish Europe to be rich during its reconstruction, adding that the minorities need to express their own identities.

``You also want the same thing for the Turkish citizens in Cyprus, we will try to do that for Corsica and Basque. You should solve the Kurdish problem, and we should solve the Corsican problem,`` said Morillon who is of French origin.

The aim of EP is not to give a lesson to the Turkey, he said commenting that Turkey will find its own ways for solution.

Morillon said that the most important issue regarding the Cyprus question is to accept the fact that Cyprus can`t be divided by a wall, adding that ``If it were me who would take such a decision, I would take the risk of withdrawing the Turkish army from Cyprus.``

Referring to the role of the Turkish army in politics, Morillon said that he served the army for 40 years and he accepts that the army is the guard of the national sovereignty.

Morillon said that Turkey was able to win its fight against terrorism by its army, adding that ``the role of the military in internal politics should be gradually and slowly decreased. So that the military can get back the main place it should have in democracies.``

[02] Cem: Turkey Not To Accept Cyprus as Political Criterion in EU Ties Anatolia Agency (12:55 hours, 21.11.00) reports that Turkish Foreign

Addressing the opening of the 46th meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on behalf of the government, Cem stressed the importance of the JPC meetings, which is the only continuous means of communication between Turkey and the EU.

Pointing out that the EU membership was among the main foreign policy priorities of Turkey in the first decade of the 21st century, Cem said, ``I would not like to make pessimistic analysis on the existing position of the Turkish-EU relations,`` yet noted that the problems stemmed from presentation of some issues as ``political criteria`` today in spite of the fact that they had been accepted in the Helsinki summit as part of a ``political dialogue``.

Cem said, ``Should the statements and commitments by the EU Presidency and two senior EU officials not be relied upon, could one expect relations to develop on a sound basis in an environment of decreased confidence.`` Pointing out that Turkey accepted the Helsinki decisions as the ``serious statements of serious officials,`` Cem said Turkey expected everybody to respect the Helsinki decisions.

Cem stressed that, ``Turkey will never accept Cyprus a criteria to its relations with the EU. The EU should be in a position to appreciate this legal fact and to develop relations with Turkey within this framework.``

He stressed that Turkey did not refrain from the issues concerning the solution of Cyprus and international border disputes through peaceful means, yet underlined that Turkey opposed to the attitude in putting forward these issues as condition in front of Turkey.

Cem said European parliamentarians did not know much about Turkey, and that they accepted the resolutions against Turkey without any hesitation, and criticized the statements that contradict with the Helsinki Summit.

Andrew Duff, the Deputy JPC Co-Chairman, mentioned the Cyprus issue, and said they would not accept any candidate`s blocking the accession process of another candidate.

Furthermore, according to Anatolia Agency (11:47 hours, 21.11.00), speaking at the meeting Cem has also said:

``Notwithstanding the facts, through a last minute addition to the Accession Partnership Document which it had earlier submitted to Turkey for information, the EU Commission repeated the paragraph on Cyprus which was already stated under `Principles,` in `Short-term objectives-political criteria`. These developments above all lead to a breach of confidence. The last minute addition by the EU Commission not only prevents the development of Turkey-EU relations, but it has extraordinary negative repercussions on other subjects of mutual interest to Turkey and the EU.``

In addition, Anatolia reports that Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the Co-President of the Turkey-European Union (EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC), made an apology to everybody who were hurt by the Morillon Report which was adopted by the European Parliament (EP) last week.

Referring to an amendment to Armenian genocide allegations in the Morillon Report, Cohn-Bendit said that it will be a more appropriate choice to leave the decision to the historians.

Cohn-Bendit noted that the JPC meetings are important and that Turkey`s EU candidacy became a real process following the Helsinki Summit.

Candidacy does not mean membership, Cohn-Bendit said, adding that this can be a difficult road.

Cohn-Bendit stated that all difficulties can be overcome by rationalist political approaches.

Touching on Cyprus question, Cohn-Bendit said that Cyprus is a political problem regarding enlargement in the EU.

Cohn-Bendit said that Cyprus comes to the agenda like a political connection even if it does not occur as a political condition, adding that if the problem is not solved, the EU will face such a political problem regarding the enlargement between 2003 and 2004.

[03] Yilmaz: EU To Admit Turkey Sooner or Later by Respecting National Issues According to TRT 1 Television (11:00 hours, 21.11.00) Motherland Party

``Subjects such as our unitary structure, Cyprus, the Aegean, and the Armenian issue are Turkey's national problems. None of these run counter to EU's basic criteria. Sooner of later, the EU will admit Turkey as a member, because as I mentioned a while ago, this is a historical necessity. Moreover, EU will do this by respecting our unitary structure and the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and by leaving the Armenian issue in the hands of historians. This process may be slightly prolonged, but what is important for us is to conclude our initiatives in the fields of economy and democracy and the restructuring of the state.

Until now, the Turkish nation has always suffered the negative consequences of Westernization. With the EU accession process now for the first time it has seized the opportunity to benefit from the advantages of Westernization. I see that those who have burdened our nation with all types of onuses until now by singing the praises of Europe are panicking now that our nation is demanding to adopt European criteria. It is extremely significant that a similar kind of panic is being experienced among anti-Turkish circles in Europe. We are observing that those circles are disturbed by the opportunity seized by Turkey.

The duty that falls on the Turkish politicians and Turkish politics is to prevent this opportunity from being missed through the efforts of our opponents, both inside and outside. Maybe today, our responsibility in fulfilling this duty is greater than ever before,'' Yilmaz said.

[04] Toros 2000 Military Exercises Begin, Turkish Ships Visit Anatolia Agency, (12:57 hours, (21.11.00) reports that the Toros 2000

The shooting, land, air and naval manoeuvres will be put to test during the exercise.

The TCG Zafer and TCG Akdeniz ships of the Turkish Naval Forces Commandership which will take part in the exercise, visited the occupied Kyrenia harbour.

[05] Turkey/s Ecevit on EU ties, Cyprus Daily YENI BINYIL (Internet Version, 21.11.00) reports on an interview with

Ecevit/s answer to a relevant question was:

``First they put the Cyprus and Aegean problems at the top of the agenda. We cannot accept that. Apart from that, there are some Copenhagen criteria that we can meet with difficulty, and some that we can meet easily. We have no objections to those. In other words those are not so important; they can be overcome. However we have very serious problems on Cyprus and the Aegean.

The EU is being unfair on this issue. Not only does it not have any authority on those issues, it also made promises and gave assurances on 10 December 1999. Letters were written on this issue. We were admitted to candidacy status after all this was known and these promises were made.'' When asked, ``Did they include the Cyprus and Aegean problems in the priority criteria knowing that Turkey will not accept them so that they prepare the ground for Turkey to burn all bridges?'', Ecevit replied:

``Frankly all possibilities come to mind. However, if that is the case, why did they admit us to candidacy status last year? Why did they make those promises and give those assurances at that time?''

Finally Ecevit said: ``Let us wait and see what happens''.

[06] Denktash says Turkish Cypriots to insist on sovereignty at talks KIBRIS (22.11.00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said on

Denktash said, ``our state, flag and parliament represent our sovereignty. Turkey prevented the biggest genocide in the middle of the Mediterranean. Turkey wants peace on the island. It supports us for peace. It made every sacrifice to prevent destruction of our sovereignty. We have rights on Cyprus. These rights depend on our sovereignty''.

[07] Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women meeting YENIDUZEN (22.11.00) reports that Greek and Turkish Cypriot women who met

The Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot women, representing left wing trade unions, decided to enhance their contacts and organize discussions and seminars both in the southern government controlled areas and the northern Turkish occupied part of the island.

A press release, issued after the meeting, said Turkish Cypriot women members of left wing Dev-Is and Greek Cypriot women members of left wing PEO trade unions discussed economic and social problems working women have to deal with.

They agreed that there is a long way to go until men and women become equal at work, and talked about unemployment, facilities for working mothers and equal work, equal pay issues.

The women paid particular attention to the role working women can play in the effort for cooperation, mutual understanding and rapprochement between the two communities.

The delegations decided to develop their contacts further and increase their activities to help women from both communities get to know each other.

[08] Denktash to go to Ankara for consultations VATAN (22.11.00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will fly

According to the newspaper, Denktash will meet with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Affairs Minister Ismail Cem. It is reported that they will make a general assessment on the Cyprus problem and will discuss the UN General Secretary Kofi Annan/s invitation for the 6th round of indirect talks as well as the non-paper that was submitted to both sides.

Denktash will then go to Istanbul, where he will attend a symposium on Cyprus.

[09] EP Socialist Group delegation meets NGO/s According to KIBRIS (22.11.00) a 3-member delegation of the European

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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