Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-06-11

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ismail Cem: Cyprus is the most important issue in Turkey/s foreign policy.

[02] Devlet Bahceli on EU and Cyprus.

[03] Czech and Slovak Ambassadors against Czechoslovakia model for Cyprus.

[04] Czech and Slovak Ambassadors met with Mustafa Akinci.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat met with the Slovak Ambassador.

[06] Mehmet Ali Talat: The Turkish Cypriots should participate in the EU process.

[07] The British Ambassador to Ankara says that the solution in Cyprus should be a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

[08] The workers at AVRUPA newspaper are asking for protection from the UN Security Council.

[09] Kemal Dervish against financial assistance to the pseudostate.

[10] A brawl broke out between Turkish Cypriot and mainland Turkey youths.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ismail Cem: Cyprus is the most important issue in Turkey/s foreign policy

Asked whether the new US Administration is likely to come closer to Turkey with regard to the Cyprus issue, Cem replied: «So far, I have not detected a difference in the US stand regarding Cyprus. There is still distance to be covered, and we have things to say on the issue of Cyprus. We will try to do this at the correct time and in a way that will be most effective. However, I believe that we are now able to better explain the Cyprus issue. The Cyprus issue is the biggest issue of the next couple of years. I regard it as the single most important problem in our foreign policy».

Refraining from commenting on the economic aspect of the ties with the Turkish Cypriots, Cem referred to remarks made by EU/s Verheugen in Germany to the effect that the question of whether to allow Cyprus to join the EU before a final Cyprus solution is reached will be the most difficult decision in the history of the EU, Cem declared: «A solution that is acceptable to both sides constitutes Tukey/s policy. The confederation proposal of the TRNC devised with our contribution and support is a quest for a common solution. Let us examine this together». «In a statement to a Greek television, I said that failing a solution, if the EU admits a divided Cyprus, you should know that Turkey will not accept this. If you should ask me what Turkey would do in such a case, I would not describe this to you. Turkey could do anything and everything. Let us not take the issue to that point. Everyone would lose out, as would Turkey. I am aware of this. However, we want to prevent this. This is what must be done now. We will pursue this path of common sense».

[02] Devlet Bahceli on EU and Cyprus

[03] Czech and Slovak Ambassadors against Czechoslovakia model for Cyprus

The representatives of the Czech and Slovak Republics who spend the most efforts for the reunification of the island, said that the proposal could not be accepted since the conditions in Cyprus and in Czechoslovakia have been different.

Answering questions put to him by HURRIYET, Slovak Ambassador Dusan Rozbora, said that one has to learn proper lessons from the history. He said: «A good thing for a country does not necessarily mean good and suitable to another country». «If a married couple agree to get a divorce this does not mean that all the couples should get a divorce. Czechoslovakia/s separation can not be a model for Cyprus».

The Czech Ambassador Vera Jerapcova who plays an important role in organizing bicommunal activities aimed at rapprochement said: «We do not share Ecevit/s proposal. There is no similarity whatsoever between Czechoslovakia and Cyprus. Neither historical nor political conditions, are the same. The most suitable solution for Cyprus is a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation».

[04] Czech and Slovak Ambassadors met with Mustafa Akinci

The first meeting took place at the Communal Liberation Party headquarters at 10:15a.m. and the second at 11a.m. Present at the meetings was CLP/s Foreign Relations Responsible Gungor Gurkan.

Speaking to reporters after the meetings Akinci said that with both ambassadors they discussed the latest developments in the pseudostate as well as the Cyprus problem and the EU issue. Noting that Slovakia and Czech Republic (Tr. Note. The paper mentions Czechoslovakia) have to a large extend completed the necessary changes regarding the membership, Akinci said that for both countries there is no great distance remaining to be covered for the membership.

Referring to Cyprus/s EU membership, Akinci said that because of the special conditions characteristic to Cyprus, advancing alone on the Union/s path will not be beneficial to the Greek Cypriots as well. Akinci stressed that in Cyprus it is a must «first settlement and then accession».

«The next one or two years are an extremely vital period. For this reason we have to take important steps in the economy and in democratization and we should not deviate from the EU membership,» Akinci went on.

Noting that it should be the Turkish side that should force a solution in the UN process Akinci said: «If the Turkish side continues its stance, being the side that distances itself from the negotiating table then the Greek Cypriot side/s EU membership for the whole Cyprus will be inevitable».

Akinci said that during the coming months the UN Secretary-General should come up with creative ideas and make the sides to sit around the negotiating table.

«Cornering the Turkish side and accusing it will not be a way out», Akinci said.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat met with the Slovak Ambassador

Talat has said that this process was so important that it could not be lost; «Otherwise, everything will be upside down. The Turkish Cypriots should do the necessary things in order to take their place at the EU process».

Mehmet Ali Talat received yesterday morning the Slovak Ambassador Dusan Rozbora.

During the meeting the latest developments in the Cyprus problem were taken up. Referring to the 20 June meeting of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot party leaders at the Ledra Palace Dusan Rozbora said that this would be beneficial to both sides.

Expressing the view that learning each other/s views and thoughts will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem, Rozbora said that during a ceremony to be organized on 18 June, 2001 the Slovak Contingent will replace the Austrian Contingent serving in UNFICYP.

In his turn the RTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat said that the Slovak Ambassador/s duty was very important and that Slovakia has played a leading role in bringing the Turkish and Greek Cypriot political party leaders together.

Noting that it was very important bringing both sides/ politicians together to put their views, worries, feeling and thoughts to each other through the meetings, Talat said that these meetings were contributing to the settlement efforts of the Cyprus problem and they should be supported.

Stressing that as RTP they give the necessary support to these meetings, Mehmet Ali Talat said that these meetings were taking place prior to the separation of Czechia and Slovakia, and later on by Slovakia which claimed the responsibility of continuing these meetings: «All the parties should support these meetings» Talat said and added that is a happy thing that Slovakia will take up Austria/s duties at UNFICYP.

Saying that this was a very critical period in the Cyprus problem, Talat said serious developments will happen in Turkey/s EU course and the process carried out by the Greek Cypriot side.

[06] Mehmet Ali Talat: The Turkish Cypriots should participate in the EU process

Criticizing the policies pursued by the Turkish side in connection with the Cyprus problem and the EU process, the RTP leader said: «What we need to do is to participate in the EU process which is advancing dangerously because the Turkish Cypriots are not involved, and to push for a solution of the Cyprus problem».

Talat called for an end to the current policies that, he said, lead only to loss.

[07] The British Ambassador to Ankara says that the solution in Cyprus should be a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation

Addressing a conference in Kayseri organised by the city's Industrialists and Businessmen Association (KAYSIAD) under the title «The economic relations between Turkey and England and Turkey and the EU and their development», Mr. Logan noted that his country exerts efforts towards finding a lasting solution to the problems in the island. He also underlined that «no one wants Turkey to make a choice between her interests in the EU and in Cyprus».

[08] The workers at AVRUPA newspaper are asking for protection from the UN Security Council

The 30 employees of AVRUPA in a letter applied to the UN Security Council and demanded its protection.

The letter signed by 30 employees, was handed to the UN official who visited the paper/s office in the occupied area. They asked the UN official to convey the letter to the UN Security Council presidency.

In the letter, it is stated that since the paper opposes Turkey/s and Denktash/s official Cyprus policy, the intimidation and oppression to silence the paper has escalated recently, it says that the death threats continue unabated.

«We, the journalists, writers and the workers of AVRUPA who are living under continuous death threat, have started worrying about our lives.

We apply to you to protect our lives because we have no other way out. We are at our wits/ end. We do believe that you will do what is necessary, with the competent authorities» the letter concludes.

[09] Kemal Dervish against financial assistance to the pseudostate

The paper says that the Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash in vain «begged from Sukru Sina Gurel financial assistance. The address was wrong. The address should be Kemal Dervish».

AVRUPA further says that no Turkish Cypriot «official» was able to meet Kemal Dervish until now.

[10] A brawl broke out between Turkish Cypriot and mainland Turkey youths

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