Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-06-25

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash says to apply to ECHR regarding missing Turks.

[02] Rauf Denktash addressed a leadership forum in Istanbul.

[03] Ismail Cem interviewed on NTV from Samos island.

[04] Turkish Cypriot so-called MP/s left for Strasbourg to attend PACE Session.

[05] Proposal to transfer Credit Bank to US firm rejected.

[06] Occupation Commander and so-called Assembly Speaker repeat the Turkish side/s intransigent views.

[07] Denktash/s Adviser analyses the aims of the National People/s Movement.

[08] Turkish Constitutional Court decided to ban the Virtue Party.

[09] Turkish Assembly distribution of seats detailed after court decision on FP.

[10] The Foreign Minister of the pseudostate flew to Mali to attend a meeting of the Islamic Conference Organization.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash Says To Apply to ECHR Regarding Missing Turks

Denktash, who returned from Turkey, told reporters that thus, they will show the Greek Cypriots that the field is not empty and that they will provide Turkish Cypriots to take compensation.

Also, they aim to show that the Greek Cypriot administration which is referred as the government of Cyprus does not have any governmental responsibility and responsibility of humanity, Denktash said, and added: ``We had an international meeting with jurists in Istanbul and we have decided to file lawsuits at the ECHR related with missing Turkish Cypriots and injustice against Turkish Cypriot nation. We will make the necessary preparations as soon as possible.``

When a reporter reminded him that the Greek Cypriot administration said that the mass graves in the administration could be opened for identification of Turkish Cypriots but cooperation is obligatory with the relatives of missing Turkish Cypriots for DNA tests, Denktash said: ``First of all, they should inform us how these people were lost and how they were killed. As they found these people, they know their places. They should inform us about the place of these people.``

``But, we still think that these people are missing. They should have seen that we can do the same thing after they won the case by incorrect testimonies about the missing persons file at the ECHR. To this end, they are behaving slyly. They should first of all say how these people were lost, how they took these people, how they planned to kill these people under Akritas Plan. They have to pay the costs of all these at ECHR,`` Denktash said and concluded:

``In case we follow the Greek Cypriots in the path of the EU, what they want to take out of our hands is our state and what they want to send to our state is immigrants by depending on human rights. They are doing everything to annihilate us.``

[02] Rauf Denktash addressed a leadership forum in Istanbul According to HALKIN SESI (23.6.01) the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr. Rauf Denktash speaking at the International Leadership Forum organized at the Marmara Hotel by the Bahcesehir University, last Friday said: ``I do not have a good reputation in the international platforms. I am known as a personality who does not want peace on the island and who has been dragging his community to a calamity.

Referring to today/s phase of the Cyprus problem Denktash said: ``The Current problem stems from Europe`s ignorance about the reality in Cyprus. The EU ignored United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan`s statement saying that the EU membership could be in question only after the problem was resolved in the island. We told the EU that the Greek Cypriot side has been trying to solve the problem by using the EU. We called on the EU not to listen to them. But our remarks were disregarded.``

Maintaining that the EU told Turkey, ``you should first solve the Cyprus question, then you can join the EU,`` Denktash said: ``Then the EU should tell the Greek Cypriot side which caused the Cyprus question, that they should first solve the problem and then apply for EU membership. We definitely oppose this application. Within the scope of efforts to solve the problem, a partnership on the basis of equality and bizonality should be set up first.``

``I am known as a leader who refuses to bargain for peace. We want to live in peace. Turkish Cypriots have been making sacrifices for peace. I do not want to disappoint them. Cyprus is a big enough place to host both communities. These two communities cannot live together. But they can live side by side by being respectful to each other`s rights and by setting up bridges of cooperation,`` he said.

Rauf Denktash added: ``We will never allow Cyprus` becoming a full member to the EU as Cyprus. It can join the EU as Greek Cypriot side. But it will not join the EU as Cyprus. We will continue to struggle. Turkish Cypriots are not a minority on the island. They have never been a minority. We have been granted rights and a status by the agreement signed in 1960. We will never leave the island. If our Greek Cypriot partners have a state and government, we too have a state and government.``

[03] Ismail Cem interviewed on NTV from Samos island The Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Mr. George Papandreou and Mr. Ismail Cem, met in Samos island and Kusadasi during the weekend 23 and 24 June 2001.

Question: When will the other really important issues, such as the Cyprus and the Aegean issues, be brought to the negotiating table?

Answer: I have always maintained that the Aegean issues might not be that difficult after all. Whereas, I have always maintained that the Cyprus issue is a very difficult one. I cannot say anything as to when these issues will be discussed. The Aegean issues might be discussed at an earlier date. The Cyprus issue, however, is one over which Turkey should be very careful and cautious. The Greeks feel the same from their point of view. I hope that, in time, all these issues will advance toward a positive point because the important issue is the happiness and security of the people. The important issue is to ensure that our national interests are not compromised. That is the view of the Greeks as well. They are concerned about safeguarding their national interests. I believe that, in time, the common denominators will emerge with reason, understanding, goodwill, and a serious attitude.

Question: The more we want to leave the Cyprus issue aside so that we can advance in other fields, the more the Greeks bring the issue to the table.

Answer: No, they are not constantly bringing up the Cyprus issue. Naturally, the Cyprus issue is very important for Turkey and Greece. We had said in the very beginning that the ties we were trying to develop were limited to bilateral relations. In other words, the Cyprus issue is not included. If we can make a positive contribution, then naturally we shall make it. I am speaking on behalf of Turkey. We, however, have not yet discussed that issue.

[04] Turkish Cypriot so-called MP/s left for Strasbourg to attend PACE Session

Hasipoglu stated that the Cyprus question will be discussed by three committees, namely, the antiquities, democracy, and human rights committees. He stressed that he would explain the reality of the «TRNC» at the PACE meeting, alleging that the time has come for the whole world to realize the reality of the «TRNC» and that a solution cannot be reached unless the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people is acknowledged, adding: Creating a Cyprus where the Turkish Cypriots are given the status of a minority can only hurt Cyprus. In fact, it can lead to war. Hasipoglu charged that the Greek Cypriots want to join the EU on their own because they want to portray the Turkish Cypriots as a minority. He said: The EU must understand this fact well.

The so-called Assembly speaker said that the whole world supports independence movements except for the independence movement of the Turkish Cypriot people. He stressed that everyone should realize that there are two equal peoples in Cyprus. We are going to explain all that at the PACE and committee meetings, he said.

The delegation which will return on 1 July also includes Dervish Cobanoglu from the National Unity Party, and Osman Imre from the Democratic Party, Dervish Aktar from the Communal Liberation Party and Sumer Aygin from the Republican Turkish Party.

[05] Proposal To Transfer Credit Bank to US Firm Rejected

Illegal Bayrak (23.6.01) also reported that the Association of Bank Depositors and Bank Victims of the «Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus» and the Industry Bank depositors said that the decision to liquidate Credit Bank was not in line with the interests of the depositors and that it was unacceptable. The Association of Bank Depositors and Bank Victims and Industry Bank depositors and managers held a joint meeting, assessing the issues of transferring Credit Bank to an American company. In a written statement issued, the Association of Bank Depositors and Bank Victims condemned the «Council of Ministers» decision because it lacks the foresight to produce a legal solution. The statement, which also included various issues concerning the «Council of Ministers», added that the procedures under way to liquidate Credit Bank should be stopped immediately and the issue resubmitted to the «Council of Ministers» in a bid to adopt constructive and legal arrangements to transfer Credit Bank to the American company in line with public interest.

[06] Occupation Commander and so-called Assembly Speaker repeat the Turkish side/s intransigent views

Speaking on an oath-taking ceremony of soldiers, Hasipoglu said that it is not possible for the Turkish soldiers to leave the island and to lower the flags.

Hasipoglu alleged that if Turkish soldiers leave the island, Cyprus will turn into a lake of blood and that the world should know this.

«It is not possible to sign any agreement which will end the existence of TRNC», Hasipoglu stated.

Hasipoglu said that «accession of only the Greek Cypriot administration to the European Union (EU) will get the Union into trouble».

«It will be wiser if the EU accepts membership of Turkey and Cyprus together after a solution on the Cyprus question», Hasipoglu pointed out.

Touching on the issue of disarmament of the island, Hasipoglu said that the Greek Cypriots spend thousand of U.S. dollars on weapons a day but that the Greek Cypriots cannot possess the whole of Cyprus by weapons or through talks.

Galip Mendi, the Commander of «Turkish Cypriot Security Forces», said that the existence of current two states on Cyprus is the beginning point of a solution.

Mendi noted that «the acception of Greek Cypriot administration as the EU member in the end of the unilateral application it made against the 1960 agreements, will deepen separation on the island and affect peace and stability in East Mediterranean indefinitely».

It should be understood that it is not possible to return to old days in Cyprus», Mendi stated.

Mendi stressed that the EU and world countries should acknowledge the existence of two separate sovereign states on the island.

«It will not be possible to reach a realistic compromise if this reality is not accepted», Mendi said.

Mendi said that two-faced political tricks of Greek-Greek Cypriot couple still continue.

Nobody should expect theTurkish Cypriots to abandon their sovereignty, state, global exchange of property, and guarantee of Turkey, Mendi added.

[07] Denktash/s Adviser analyses the aims of the National People/s Movement

The management and administrative delegation of the National Struggle Foundation staged the news conference at the Saray Hotel. National Struggle Foundation chairman Taner Etkin, who issued statements on behalf of the management and the administrative delegation, recalled that a struggle had been launched in 1978 to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. Explaining that this struggle reached the present days after very difficult conditions, Etkin continued by saying that the people set up the present state structure after surmounting these difficulties.

Noting that the people are faced with a psychological warfare and attacks, Etkin said that the National Struggle Movement had been established with the aim of confronting all these attacks. Etkin stressed that this movement constitutes a people's movement, which pursues Ataturk's principles and reforms and gives priority to the national interest. Etkin further pointed out that the National Struggle Movement is a civil society movement and not a political party or association.

Etkin further said that the National Struggle Foundation will extend support to the targets and aims cited in the founding document of the National People/s Movement announced on 18 May 2001. Noting that the National Struggle Foundation will extend support to the policies adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the «Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Assembly» with regard to the national Cyprus cause, Etkin added that efforts will be exerted to secure unity and togetherness in the country.

Explaining that the National Struggle Foundation strongly protests all the attacks against the national values on behalf of democracy and freedom of press and thought, Etkin continued: We will raise our voice against such reports.

Omer Adal, Gokhan Guler, Sinasi Tekman, Enver Ozturk, Burhan Tuna, Hasan Emirzade, Necla Nasifoglu, Ciler Incirli, and Gunay Yorganci are members of the administrative council of the Foundation and Orhan Yucel is the deputy chairmen.

[08] Turkish Constitutional Court decided to ban the Virtue Party

«The Constitutional Court has finalized the closure case against the Virtue Party [FP] that was filed on May of 1999. I will first read the decision and then distribute copies of the decision. Do not request any comments on the decision because the decision is clear enough. I will now read the decision:

The cases SP-95 and HZ-1999-116 on 7 May 1999 and cases SP-95 and HZ-1999-116 filed on 5 February 2001 filed against the FP by the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor`s Office were combined. The Constitutional Court then finalized its work in the closure case against the FP.

A: The Court decided with a majority of votes and with the votes against of Yalcin Acargun, Ali Huner, Ertugrulu Ersoy, and Tulay Tugcu to reject the request for closure of the FP on the ground that a political party, which was banned permanently could not be founded under a different name.

B: 1 - The Court decided with a majority of votes and the votes against of Hasim Kilic, Samia Akbulut, Sacit Adali to close down the FP on grounds that it was a focal point of antisecular activities in accordance with Articles 68 and 69 of the Constitution and Articles 101 and 103 of the Political Parties Law No: 2820.

2 - The court unanimously decided to lift the deputyships of FP Istanbul Deputy Nazli Ilicak and FP Tokay Deputy Bekir Sobaci, who laid the grounds for the closure of the party with their statements and actions, as soon as the reasoned verdict is published in the Official Gazette in accordance with the last paragraph of Article 84 of the Constitution.

3 - The Court unanimously decided to ban deputies Merve Kavakci, Nazli Ilicak, Bekir Sobaci, Ramazan Yenidede, and Mehmet Silay who laid the grounds for the closure of the party with their statements and actions, from being founders, members, managers, and controllers of another political party for five years from the time the reasoned verdict is published in the Official Gazette in accordance with the eighth paragraph of Article 69 of the Constitution.

4 - The Court decided unanimously to transfer all the assets and properties of the party to the Treasury in accordance with Paragraph 107 of Article 2820 of the Law of political Parties.

5 - The court unanimously decided to annul the party`s legal status on the day of the verdict for the closure. 6 - The court unanimously decided on 22 June 2001 to send the certified copies of the verdict to the Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker`s Office, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor`s Office.

Let the decision be auspicious for the Turkish nation».

On the same day NTV broadcast the Turkish Prime Minister Mr. Ecevit/s reaction to the decision as well as reactions by Virtue Party. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was at home in Ankara when the Constitutional Court's closure decision was announced. He replied to reporters' questions when he left his home on the way to his office. The following is the statement issued by the prime minister: «I regret the closure of the Virtue Party. We have an ideological disagreement with the party; however, it is natural in democracies for opposite parties to confront each other. The decision was adopted because certain provisions of the Constitutional Court facilitate party closures.

With regard to the constitutional amendments, which will be passed in the coming days, Ecevit expressed the hope that party closures will become more difficult and that, in this way, Turkey's prestige in the world will increase. He then made an important remark.»

Explaining that simple incidents can rock the economy in Turkey, Ecevit said: «I am worried in this regard. I call on all my citizens not to link the economy to this issue. Our economy is undergoing a very sensitive period. Our economy should not be shaken. There will be political discussions; however, let us not blow them out of proportion and in this way cause Turkey to shake».

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit called on the citizens to separate the economy from FP's closure. He called on the citizens not to mix the two together and his concluding remarks were that he was not worried about early elections.

NTV/s report from the FP headquarters is the following:

A quiet and sad atmosphere can be observed at the Virtue Party [FP] headquarters. The FP was not expecting a closure decision. FP members were making statements on the issue. This decision has come as a great shock to the party. We watched the announcement of the decision together with the FP employees. They are quite sad at the moment. The FP Chairmanship Council, namely leader Recai Kutan, the Assembly group deputy leader, and a group of deputies watched the announcement of the decision together. According to information we have received, the following assessment was made: We will establish a new party, and we will continue on our path. The new party will not be that moderate. We will conduct a harsh opposition. Yes, the new party to be established to replace the FP will cast aside the understanding of a moderate opposition. The view here is that the decision will cause the West to pressure Turkey. It is being said that this decision will only place Turkey in a difficult situation. This is what was said at the Chairmanship Council.

We are, at the moment waiting for Kutan and the party administrators to emerge from the headquarters. Meanwhile, a few of the deputies have emerged. Their assessment was: May it be auspicious. As I have said, we are waiting for Mr. Kutan to emerge. Kutan is at the moment coming out of the building. Mr. Kutan refrained from issuing any statements. He is proceeding to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The FP Assembly group will meet in an extraordinary session at 1900 today. As you can hear in the background, Kutan is being sent to the Assembly by crowds chanting the slogan 'Turkey is proud of you.'

According to information we have received, Kutan, in his address at the group this evening will criticize Turkey. He is expected to make a harsh statement. He is expected to say that there is no democracy or law in Turkey. He will say that the foundation for a political life in Turkey has been destroyed. Meanwhile, he is also expected to make an appeal for unity and solidarity to the FP members. Kutan will say: Even if our party is closed down, we shall continue on our path. If one is banned, then a thousand will join.

Meanwhile, the reformists within the party are expected to resign from the party. The reformists will be asked to remain in the party until the reasoned verdict is announced. A sad atmosphere is prevalent at the FP headquarters. This is what we can report from the FP headquarters.

[09] Turkish Assembly distribution of seats detailed after court decision on FP

The Constitutional Court decided to lift deputy ships of Ilicak and Sobaci due to their statements and actions which led to closure of the FP.

After the reasoned verdict is published in the Official Gazette, the Parliament Speaker`s Office will lift deputyships of Ilicak and Sobaci and inform the General Assembly.

The recent distribution of seats at the Parliament after the Constitutional Court annulled FP`s legal status is as follows: Democratic Left Party (DLP)........132 Nationalist Action Party (NAP)...126 Motherland Party (MP).............88 True Path Party (TPP)...............83 Independent........................113 Vacant...............................8 Ilicak and Sobaci will be considered independent deputies until the reasoned verdict is published in the Official Gazette.

[10] The Foreign Minister of the pseudostate flew to Mali to attend a meeting of the Islamic Conference Organization

Ertugruloglu will deliver a speech on the Cyprus problem at the General Council of ICO. He is accompanied by the «Director of Political Affairs» of the «Foreign Affairs Department» Namik Korhan and the «third secretary» Ismet Korukoglu.

After the ICO meeting, Ertugruloglu will fly from Mali to Switzerland where, as as head of a delegation, he will represent the occupation regime at Crans Montana forum which will be held on 28 June.

During the Forum Ertugruloglu will have contacts on the Cyprus problem.

He will return to the occupied areas on Monday July 2.

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