Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 00-12-05

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey, EU reach compromise on Accession Partnership Document.

[02] More details on EU Accession Partnership Document.

[03] Yilmaz, Cem say EU document in line with Turkish wishes.

[04] Denktash: Cyprus proximity talks have ended for Turkish side.

[05] Funds allocated to political parties.

[06] Turkish Cypriot unions launch "General Strike".

[07] Akinci and CLP want continuation of talks without preconditions.

[08] "University Women Association" support Dnektash/s decision.

[09] Bulgaria ready to contribute to UNFICYP with 200-300 personnel.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey, EU Reach Compromise on Accession Partnership Document Anatolia Agency (15:14 hours, 4.12.00) reports that Hubert Vedrine, the

Vedrine told a press conference that the document was important for both Turkey and the EU, adding that the new formula they found on Cyprus was accepted by both Turkey and them.

Vedrine said he met with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem before the lunch, and that Cem also confirmed the document, noting that the document in general sense referred to the solution of Cyprus question. Vedrine said the 15 EU members, including Greece, found the document as positive.

Meanwhile, Guenter Verheugen, the EU Commissioner for enlargement, said the Accession Partnership Accord was the best scenario that could be thought, and noted that both sides (the EU and Turkey) should ``do their homework in the best way.``

Verheugen said the enlargement strategies would reach success by the decision taken.

Pointing out that the document underlined the Helsinki principles, Verheugen said they should show that the Helsinki principles are working.

Verheugen said the Accession Partnership Accord was the cornerstone for Turkey`s passage to democracy and rule of law, adding Turkey should be in close cooperation with the EU during changing process.

Vedrine refrained from making detailed statement while he said that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem approved the text on which the 15 EU countries reached a compromise, on the phone.

Vedrine said that the Cyprus question was included in a paragraph within the framework of the ``political dialogue`` and gave the message that there will not be a deviation from the Helsinki line as Turkey wished.

What is important and clear is reaching a compromise in the direction of the Helsinki summit, Vedrine said, adding that this is a success.

Vedrine noted that many discussions were made on words and that the basic principles like the peace, stability, regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations were emphasized in the document, adding that adjustment to these principles are requested.

[02] More Details on EU Accession Partnership Document Anatolia Agency (19:21 hours, 4.12.00) reports that in the Accession

Regarding the Cyprus issue, the ``Short Term`` chapter said, ``in accordance with the Helsinki conclusions, in the context of the political dialogue, strongly support the United Nations Secretary General`s efforts to bring to a successful conclusion the process of finding a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, as referred in the point 9 a of the Helsinki conclusion.``

The ``Medium Term`` chapter said, ``in accordance with the Helsinki conclusions, in the context of the political dialogue, under the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter, make every effort to resolve any outstanding border disputes and other related issues, as referred in the point 4 of the Helsinki conclusions.``

Diplomats from the EU Term President France said that a diplomatic reconciliation had been provided as a result of high diplomacy level.

The Accession Partnership Accord which is described as a ``road map drawn unilaterally by the EU for Turkey``, forms an important turning point of a long and tough process following the Ankara Agreement in 1963, Customs Union Agreement in 1995 and decisions taken at the end of the Helsinki Summit in 1999.

For the EU, the Accession Partnership Accord means a general reference to the political, economic and institutional adjustment conditions that are necessary for full membership, and a request to the candidate countries to make commitments to fulfil those conditions with short or medium term priorities, and setting a schedule for these.

After the release of the document and its approval by the EU Council which is the highest decision-making organ of the EU, Turkey enters ``a full membership process``.

The issue of ``solution in Cyprus`` which was given place under the title of ``Political Dialogue`` in the Accession Partnership Accord for Turkey, took place as a political criterion in the Accession Partnership for the Greek Cypriot side.

Describing it as a good development as for Turkey, diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent on Monday that the development would restrict possible pressures on Turkey for a solution to Cyprus issue.

Sources described the issue`s taking place as a political criterion in the Accession Partnership Accord as a ``warning of the European Union (EU) to the Greek Cypriot side``.

In previous statements, EU officials said that the side which supported a solution on the island would be encouraged while the side which prevented the solution, would not be encouraged.

Furthermore, Anatolia Agency (16:02 hours, 4.12.00) reports that in the final statement of the Helsinki Summit which had been held between December 10-12, 1999 and in which Turkey`s EU candidacy was officially announced, the Cyprus and Aegean issues and relations with Turkey were expressed as follows:

-``The European Council stresses the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the U.N. Charter, and urges candidate states to make every effort to resolve any outstanding border disputes, and other relevant issues.``

-``Failing this they should, within a reasonable time, bring the dispute to the International Court of Justice.``

-``The European Council will review the situation relating to such disputes in particular concerning the repercussions on the accession process, at the latest by the end of 2004.``

- The EU also underlines the necessity to adjust to political criteria drawn by the Copenhagen criteria to start the full membership negotiations.

The part of the Helsinki summit final statement, related with Cyprus, briefly said:

``-The European Council welcomes the launch of the talks aiming at a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem on December 3, 1999 in New York, and expresses its strong support for the U.N. Secretary General`s efforts to bring the process to a successful conclusion.

``-The European Council underlines that a political settlement will facilitate the accession of Cyprus to the EU.``

``-If no settlement has been reached by the completion of a accession in negotiations, the Council`s decision on accession will be made without preconditions. In this case, the European Council will take account of all relevant factors.``

-``The European Council also welcomed recent positive developments in Turkey as well as its intention to continue its reforms towards confirming with the Copenhagen criteria.``

-``Turkey is destined to join the EU on the basis of the same criteria applied to the other candidate states. Building on the existing European strategy for Turkey, like other candidate states, will benefit from a pre- accession strategy to stimulate support to its reforms.``

-``This will include enhanced political dialogue. Turkey will also have the opportunity to participate in Community programs and agencies and in meetings between candidate states and the union in the context of the accession process.``

-``Appropriate monitoring mechanisms will be established. With a view to intensifying the harmonization of Turkey`s legislation and practice with the acquits, the EU Commission is invited to prepare a process of analytical examination of the acquits.``

Authorized diplomats of France, the European Union (EU) Term President, gave on Monday information about the changes made in the Accession Partnership Accord.

The diplomats said that titles named ``Developed Political Dialogue and Political Criteria`` were included in the ``short term objectives`` and ``medium term objectives`` chapters of the document.

Under the ``Developed Political Dialogue and Political Criteria`` title in the short term objectives chapter, the statements regarding Cyprus were expressed by starting with the words, ``in accordance with the Helsinki line...``

Under the ``Developed Political Dialogue and Political Criteria`` title in the medium term objectives chapter, the border disputes were expressed.

[03] Yilmaz, Cem Say EU Document in Line With Turkish Wishes CNN TURK Television (16:00 hours, 4.12.00) reports that Turkish Deputy

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has said that the Accession Partnership Document has now been shaped in line with Turkey's wishes. He said: "An agreement has been reached. They have realized Turkey's sensitivities regarding the Cyprus and Aegean issues".

"It is evident that this document has taken into consideration our views and sensitivities regarding the Aegean and Cyprus issues and has remained within the framework of the Helsinki Final Act. Our ministry will issue a detailed statement after the conclusion of the EU summit to convene in Nice on 8 December".

To a question if Cyprus is no longer a political criterion, Cem said:

"Our request was the following: We wanted the decision to be taken to be in full harmony with the Helsinki results. We had doubts on the issue. It seems, however, that the Cyprus and Aegean issues appear in this document in the context of the political dialogue [last seven words in English]. Consequently, the definitions used in Helsinki have been fully preserved in this document".

[04] Denktas: Cyprus Proximity Talks Have Ended for Turkish Side Anatolia Agency (16:12 hours, 4.12.00) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader

Following his meeting with Alvaro De Soto, the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan`s Special Envoy to Cyprus, Denktas told reporters that they had a detailed meeting.

Denktas said that they did not discuss the proximity talks and that the proximity talks have ended in their turn.

De Soto, who did not make any statements following his meeting with Denktas, will stage a press conference on Tuesday.

[05] Funds Allocated to Political Parties A report in daily KIBRIS (Internet Version, 28.11.00) says a large amount

The 2001 "budget", which has reportedly been prepared by paying attention to extreme economical measures in view of the prevailing economic crisis, does not envisage any funds raising the wages of "civil servants". Yet, the 2001 "budget" envisages a large amount of funds to the political parties.

"Civil servants", who are anxiously awaiting news about the wage policies in 2001, will only get an eight-percent cost of living adjustment in January 2001 in view of the rise in the cost of living during the period November to December 2000. However, the pseudostate has decided to extend funds generously to the political parties.

Moreover, from now on the state funds will be distributed among five and not four political parties. National Justice Party [MAP], which is now represented at the "parliament" for the first time after "deputy" Kenan Akin joined the party, will benefit from the funds that the state allocates to the political parties.

The total amount of funds worth 757.89 billion lira will be distributed among UBP [National Unity Party], DP [Democratic Party], TKP [Communal Liberation Party], CTP [Republican Turkish Party], and MAP in proportion with the number of "seats" that each of these parties has at the "parliament".

UBP, the "government" partner that has 23 "seats", has grabbed the largest share of the state funds. UBP is followed by DP, TKP, CTP, and MAP in the list of political parties receiving the largest share of the "state" funds. While UBP is set to receive a total amount of funds worth 328.92 billion lira, DP is set to receive 178.86 billion lira in 2001.

Meanwhile, TKP, the junior "government" partner that has seven "seats" at the "parliament", will receive a total amount of funds worth 110.65 billion lira and CTP, which has six "seats" at the "parliament", will receive 97.10 billion lira. MAP, for its part, will receive just 28.79 billion lira.

Meanwhile, in line with the "Law on Political Parties", no funds will be allocated to UDP [National Revival Party], YBH [Patriotic Unity Movement], ODP [Free Democracy Party], and BP [Our Party], which are not represented at the "parliament".

In addition, the funds allocated to various institutions in the 2001 "budget" are as follows: "BRTK", 4.79 trillion lira; "TAK [Turkish Cypriot News Agency]", 398.78 billion lira; political parties, 757.89 billion lira; funds for a possible raise in the financial assistance that a number of groups receive out of the budget as cost of living adjustment, 3 trillion lira; contribution to the "Directorate of Religious Affairs", 1.19 trillion lira; contribution to "DAU [East Mediterranean University", 2.14 trillion lira; contribution to the Capital Theatre Project, 400 billion lira; contribution to the funds used for the preparations for the school year, 900 billion lira; contribution to "Lefke University", 715 billion lira; contribution to the "Social Security Organization" as well as for the transition to the Single Social Security system, 2.60 trillion lira; and contributions to the "sport federations", 240 billion lira.

[06] Turkish Cypriot unions launch "General Strike" Illegal Bayrak radio 1 (11:30 hours, 4.12.00) reports that 17 labour unions

Several services were suspended because of the general strike. There were no outpatient services in the hospitals because health sector workers went on strike. The radio and television broadcasts of illegal Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation were also interrupted for some time when the employees/ union joined the strike. Also affected by the strike were educational services in the schools and the services provided by the so- called Electricity Corporation.

A strike was also held by the so-called Civil Aviation workers. The question of whether this strike is to be banned by the "Council of Ministers" is still under discussion. Consequently, outgoing flights were distributed and incoming flights were expected to be cancelled. The strike also affected port and postal services.

"The Turkish Cypriot Livestock Breeders Union", which expressed support for the strike, is conducting a sit-in front of the "prime minister/s office".

[07] Akinci and CLP want continuation of talks without preconditions According to KIBRIS (5.12.00) the leader of the Communal Liberation Party

KIBRIS reports that the so-called party assembly group of the CLP convened last night in an extraordinary meeting and discussed the latest developments. At the meeting "the issue of withdrawing from the talks" was discussed extensively.

At the end of the meeting a statement was released which reads: "The Party Assembly Group of the CLP has prepared its draft views regarding the Cyprus talks. It will insist on these views".

In a statement to KIBRIS after the meeting, CLP leader Mustafa Akinci said that they favour the continuation of the talks without any preconditions.

He said that the sides should stick to the 12 September statement made by the UN Secretary General, and continue the talks under this statement.

Akinci said that talks cannot continue on the basis of the vision put forward on 10 November.

Akinci said that they desire a settlement that will not turn a blind eye to the "TRNC reality". "We want an equitable settlement" Akinci declared.

Akinci went on and said that the solution should safeguard the "security, sovereignty and equality rights of the Turkish Cypriot people", and the place to find such a settlement is at the negotiations table.

He demanded positive stance towards the negotiations process.

[08] "University Women Association" support Denktash/s decision HALKIN SESI (5.12.00) reports that the chairwoman of the "University Women

Kuti stressed that they want a solution that will guarantee the existence, identity and security of both sides. She added that Annan/s 12 September statement was an important step.

Although they believe that dialogue is the way for a solution, they totally support Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash/s decision to withdraw from the indirect talks, Kuti said.

[09] Bulgaria ready to contribute to UNFICYP with 200-300 personnel According to KIBRIS (5.12.00) Bulgaria/s Defence Minister Boyko Noev (as

Noev has said that if an agreement is reached between the UN and Bulgaria and Bulgaria/s Parliament endorses it, then his country is ready to send a contingent to Cyprus made up of 200-300 personnel.

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

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