Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-06-07

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] RAUF DENKTASH COMMENTS ON ANNAN CYPRUS REPORT

[02] RAUF DENKTASH ADDRESSED TGNA MEMBERS OF THE JOINT TURKEY-EU PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE IN ANKARA

[03] SO-CALLED "COALITION" PROTOCOL STRESSES STRONG TIES WITH TURKEY

[04] NEW EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RAPPORTEUR: THE CYPRUS PROBLEM MUST BE SOLVED BY END OF 2002

[05] SUKRU SINA GUREL IN THE OCCUPIED AREAS TODAY

[06] TURKISH CYPRIOT TO APPLY TO THE ECHR AGAINST THE TURKISH ARMY

[07] SADETTIN TANTAN RESIGNS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND BECOMES INDEPENDENT MP

[08] TURKISH CYPRIOT UNIONIST WARNS THAT MORE DIFFICULT DAYS ARE TO COME FOR THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS UNLESS THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS SOLVED

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] TALKING ABOUT OCCUPATION

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] RAUF DENKTASH COMMENTS ON ANNAN CYPRUS REPORT

In a statement at occupied Tymbou Airport before his departure, Denktash said that he will brief the committee members on the latest Cyprus developments.

In reply to a reporter's question on his views with regard to Annan's latest Cyprus report, Denktash said: "We are used to this. We are still hoping that they will change their views because nothing will be achieved by injustices and ignoring the realities. In the same way that nothing has been achieved in 38 years. Consequently, we will continue our goodwill work with the hope that the truth will be seen."

[02] RAUF DENKTASH ADDRESSED TGNA MEMBERS OF THE JOINT TURKEY-EU PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE IN ANKARA

"I spent more than half of my life to solve the Cyprus issue," said Denktash and analysed in detail his known position on events that happened on the island in the last 38 years.

Denktash claimed that the Greek Cypriot side sits around the negotiation table not to reach a compromise, but to open the way to its own goals, adding that the Greek Cypriot side tries to prevent any shadow on the legitimate Cyprus government and to give nothing to the Turkish side other than minority rights in all peace negotiations.

"If we make a new agreement and if we accept the rights given to us on the paper, the Greek Cypriot side will start gradually to throw us out of the island through terrorism," alleged Denktash adding that the condition to join the EU is imposed on the Turkish Cypriots as "accepting the EU norms." "Ninety percent of the Turkish Cypriots favour EU membership, but all of these people also want the signing of an agreement on the island first. Half of them want to have this agreement and join the EU with Turkey. We also say the same thing. We can join the EU with Turkey after adoption of the global exchange of properties and after the establishment of proper living conditions on the island. Fifteen-twenty years are given to Turkey to join the EU. The Greek Cypriot side already benefits from the EU membership. They should give up the game of disturbing the balance between Turkey and Greece which is the basis of 1960 Treaties. When Turkey joins the EU, Cyprus also acquires this right. Till that moment, an agreement can be reached on the island. The EU has to delay the initiative which it launched for stability in the region," he said.

Denktash expressed the view that the Greek Cypriot side tries to claim ownership on the island with EU membership, adding that they can`t say ``yes`` to EU membership without the recognition of equal sovereignty, the guarantee of Turkey and without determination of their status.

Denktash said that he was criticized for leaving the negotiation table and shown as someone who is uncompromising.

``They are trying to make Cyprus an obstacle to Turkey`s entrance to the EU. Britain was fighting with Ireland and it was not told to resolve its conflict with Ireland before it joined the Union. Putting Cyprus as an obstacle in front of Turkey is very unfair,`` Denktash said.

The Turkish Cypriots never objected to Turkey`s wish to join the EU and they didn`t see themselves entitled to make such an objection, Denktash said. However, he added that if Greeks and Greek Cypriots take control of the island, this would result in a second Crete incident.

"We are ready to reach an agreement through peaceful ways and we are not a minority. We are sorry if these are an obstacle for your entering the EU but the EU should see the realities,`` Denktash said. Responding to questions of parliamentarians, Denktash said: "If the whole island is accepted to the EU, the Turkish soldiers will look like invaders since the EU countries don`t recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".

Finally, Denktash said that Turkey`s support to his illegal regime was very important and he had no doubt that this support would continue.

[03] SO-CALLED "COALITION" PROTOCOL STRESSES STRONG TIES WITH TURKEY

In the section outlining the foreign affairs principles of the new so-called government, it was said that the "government" would do its best to succeed in the international recognition of the "TRNC", by considering all the realities which came into existence after 1974, and by strengthening the country`s economic structure and democratic tradition.

The main provisions of the so-called protocol are the following:

``The coalition government shall function with the awareness that the TRNC is the guarantee of regional peace and stability, and it shall give priority and attach major importance to relations with Turkey.``

``The NUP-DP coalition considers the international recognition of the existence of two independent states on the island and of the fact that neither state can represent the other, as the sole starting point of a lasting and equitable solution.``

``The reason why this conflict has been continuing for 38 years, is the Greek Cypriot administration`s claims that it is the sole representative of the island. The Greek Cypriot side has dealt a heavy blow to all efforts for peace by illicitly applying for European Union membership as the sole government of Cyprus.``

"Should the Greek Cypriot application for EU membership be accepted, the Cyprus question would enter a dead-end, and the island would be divided forever. The TRNC is not obliged to reach an accord with the Greek Cypriot sector; therefore, the Greek side would have to face all the consequences, should it become an EU member in a single-sided initiative. In such a case, the TRNC shall integrate with the Motherland, for there is no possibility of the Turkish Cypriots experiencing the pains of the pre-1974 period.``

``The primary goals of this coalition are furthering financial, economic, political, and technical cooperation with Turkey. The 10th government shall also do all it can to have the inhuman sanctions imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and state lifted.``

[04] NEW EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RAPPORTEUR: THE CYPRUS PROBLEM MUST BE SOLVED BY END OF 2002

Noting that this is his first visit to Turkey as the new rapporteur, Lamassoure stated that he discussed the issues of Turkey-EU relations, European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), Cyprus and human rights in Turkey with Cem.

Recounting that Turkey suffers from certain economic difficulties, Lamassoure said that they want to help Turkey and they have to work together to reach common goals. Lamassoure defended the view that Turkey has certain problems in the fields of human rights, adding that the Turkish government has made certain efforts to solve them and these have to continue.

He said that Deputy Premier Mesut Yilmaz and Foreign Minister Cem will go to Brussels at the end of this month, adding that it is early to talk about deficiencies in the implementation of the National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis.

[05] SUKRU SINA GUREL IN THE OCCUPIED AREAS TODAY

During his visit the Turkish State Minister will meet with so-called officials and will attend the opening ceremony of the "International Fair". The Turkish State Minister will be accompanied by his advisers Salih Zeki Karaca and Engin Solakoglu.

Gurel will meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash at 4 p.m. this afternoon.

On Friday morning, Gurel will visit the "Turkish Embassy" in the occupied areas, where he will have a working meeting with a "TRNC Committee". He will depart from the occupied areas on Friday evening.

[06] TURKISH CYPRIOT TO APPLY TO THE ECHR AGAINST THE TURKISH ARMY

The paper writes the following:

"The village of Elia Morphou is one of our villages the inhabitants of which were not displaced after the military operation of 1974 .. But the problems of the inhabitants of the village of Elia Morphou are not different from the others.

Salim Salmanay is one of them. Salim Salamanay had just finished his house in 1974, but he could not enter into it because it was occupied by the army. But the problems of Salmanay did not end there.

His father, Huseyin Osman Yusuf, was the only Turkish partner of "Pentaya Water Irrigation" before 1974. According to the partnership, he had the right of using the water 14 hours every 15 days. After 1974 this right was usurped from him. He applied everywhere but he got no answer. The water turbine was now transferred to Yetis Cooperative firm. Salim Salmnay explained to our journalist the following:

"My rights at the firm that I had as a Turkish partner before, have been usurped for 27 years now. Although I filled all the applications for this issue, I have not received any answer yet. I tried every legal means for my rights but I cannot trust anybody anymore.

At the village of Elia Morphou I had a newly built house with 22 olive-trees inside a field of 3 donums.

I had a concrete house consisting of six rooms of 170 m². I made a 3-monthly agreement with the district commander. They would have stayed in my house for 3 months but although 27 years have passed, they have not got out yet. I went to the Army Corps Commander. He said: "Go the the government". The time came when the soldiers forced me to leave. I was selling olives and olive-oil before, but now I am buying.

I want my own house. I want them to pay the rent I have been paying for the past 26 years. This is one of my most democratic rights.

Because I realized that I cannot have my rights through legal means in order to take my water turbine and my house back, I decided to apply to the "ECHR".

[07] Sadettin Tantan resigns from the government and becomes independent MP

The paper reports that in a written statement, Mr. Tantan noted that being appointed to another Ministry was not compatible with his personal principles and his political perceptions.

Answering to a question, Mr. Yilmaz said that he was not surprised by Mr. Tantan`s resignation. Asked whether he was sorry for this development, the Motherland Party leader was content to answer only «no comment».

After Mr. Tantan`s becoming an independent MP, Motherland Party's seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) are reduced to 88, whereas the independent MP`s increased to 11. Today the power of the parties in the TGNA is the following: Democratic Left Party: 132 seats Nationalist Action Party: 126 seats Virtue Party: 102 seats Motherland Party: 88 seats True Path Party: 83 seats Independent MP`s: 11 seats Empty: 8 seats Total: 550 seats

[08] Turkish Cypriot unionist warns that more difficult days are to come for the Turkish Cypriots unless the Cyprus problem is solved

on the Turkish Cypriots to work all together for peace, for the sake of their future.

«At this stage, the duty of all political parties and organisations is to exert pressure declaring that we want a solution to the Cyprus problem and peace», stresses Mr. Konuloglu, who refers to the fact that the Turkish Cypriots are suffering more and more every day because they live under oppression.

On the one hand the problems of unemployment and illegal workers are growing and on the other hand our country is divided into plots of lands and are being sold, adds the Turkish Cypriot unionist, underlining that the Turkish Cypriots are forced to emigrate.

According to Mr. Konuloglu the opinion of the Turkish Cypriots is not taken into consideration when the decisions in the occupied areas are made. The products of this mentality are oppression and terror, he says.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Talking about occupation

"Occupation is when a state is holding a piece of foreign land outside its borders in violation of international law" writes Hasan Fadil adding that during the first years after 1974 among the Turkish Cypriots the definition of occupation with regard to the Turkish military operation was inexistent. "During the past years, however, because of the collapse as a result of the wrong policies followed by the Turkish Republic this definition has began to be heard more not only in the press but you may come across it at coffee-shops and work-places discussions between friends," goes on Hasan Fadil.

The Turkish Cypriot columnist of Yeniduzen goes on referring to the various policies followed by the Turkish Republic over Cyprus which was changing from day to day from federation, Confederation, two-states solution and the Czech model to integration which proved fruitless and its contribution to the solution of the Cyprus problem has been negative.

"The Turkish Cypriots are paying a very high price because of the non-solution. The standard of living is falling all the time and coupled with it the number of Turkish Cypriots emigrating is increasing. At this moment the real Turkish Cypriot population is below 50,000.

This picture created during the past 27 years, with the Turkish Cypriot population having been reduced by half, is not a reflection of happy and liberated people. The vast majority of Turkish Cypriots are against integration with Turkey. It is obvious that when an attempt is made for integration the only Turkish Cypriot to remain on the island will be Denktash. Such situation where there will be no Turkish Cypriot will mean that the policies followed by the Turkish Republic so far has collapsed and the Cyprus cause has been lost.

The Turkish settlers, who are of a different culture and are not aware of the reality of Cyprus, have suppressed the will of the Turkish Cypriots", adds Hasan Fadil.

Hasan Fadil concludes by saying that this accumulated anomaly has brought the Turkish Cypriots and the settlers against each other.

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