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

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sami Cohen and Sedat Sertoglu call on the Turkish Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table.

[02] Rauf Denktash wants Turkish Cypriots to get pensions from the Republic of Cyprus without paying premiums.

[03] HURRIYET on Belgian Foreign Minister's visit to Turkey.

[04] Turkish Cypriot Trade Union leader condemns the role of the so-called Turkish ambassador in occupied Cyprus.

[05] Turkish Cypriot teachers support federal solution and Cyprus accession to the EU.

[06] A rally by the Platform This Country is Ours against the socio-economic problems of the occupied areas.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Columnist in CUMHURIEYT comments on the illegal visit of Turkish militiary cadets to the occupied areas.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sami Cohen and Sedat Sertoglu call on the Turkish Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table.

Following are excerpts of the interview: Question: In the EU process what kind of changes could come about in Turkey's and TRNC's situation?

Sami Kohen: The joint document in Helsinki Summit, gave the sign that if an agreement is not reached in Cyprus then the Greek Cypriots will be accepted into the EU alone. Despite the fact that the EU wants the whole of the island to be a member, if there is no solution, then the Union will be forced to take a decision. In this situation, most probably, the South's membership will become definite. Time is running short. The EU will be forced to take a decision in one and a half year's time.

The important personalities of the EU openly declared that if a settlement is not reached in Cyprus they will accept the South to membership. Turkey and the TRNC have to do something. Especially at this time they should not convey wrong messages.

We are of the optimistic view that the EU will not take this step. However, we should also think about the possibility that what will happen if the EU proceeds with its decision and moves forward. We say that in that case we will break with the EU and we talk about taking serious decisions. In this case there will be serious consequences, and the grave consequence is the integration: In my opinion, an advanced unification already exists in the economic, political and military fields, what is left more? In that case if we come up and say we will annex it, then this will be a very important decision. First, is this the thing preferred by the Turkish Cypriot people? Prior to taking such a decision one should carefully calculate what this decision means for Turkey's foreign policy, and how it could effect Turkey's foreign relations. One cannot reach anywhere if the starting point is emotional one. If integration with Europe is Turkey's a foreign policy priority, then one should not aim at this target. With unification we will be in constant quarrelling with Europe.

If the EU accepts the South, Ankara will take this decision, which will mean our farewell to the EU. This will be a very serious decision and we will have Europe against us.

In conclusion, if the South becomes EU member alone, this will mean that EU will have two Hellenic elements. Against Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration there will be no Turkish presence. And for this reason as well Ankara gives up the EU. If this happens this means that we will leave the EU to the Greeks and Greek Cypriots.

Sedat Sertoglu: It is out of the question for TRNC to enter the EU prior to settling the Cyprus problem. Turkey, first should solve this problem. After a settlement in Cyprus TRNC can enter EU. This will be in Turkey's interest as well, because the TRNC Turks also will be under the EU roof. We are unable to make Ankara and Denktash accept and understand this. Leaving the issue to drag on, will not prevent the EU from accepting the Greek Cypriot administration as member in the name of Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots will become EU member the latest in three years. They will use this to exert pressure on both Turkey and the TRNC. We are placing this weapon in their hands. It is no more possible to live with the past.

Despite the fact that the crimes committed by the Greek Cypriots in Cyprus are real and inhuman, we cannot live on by telling these. A lot of things have changed after the Second World War. The countries Germany, France, Japan and the USA that fought each other at that time today they become friends. There is, even slow, a dialogue between North and South Korea. Israel and Palestine, despite their failures, do not break the dialogue. The biggest mistake that we have committed was to break the dialogue. If one will say `no' this should be said on the negotiating table. If you leave the negotiation table and state your demands from Nicosia nobody listens to you.

After 1974 Turkey carried over all the illnesses that she had to the TRNC. Turkey introduced to the Turkish Cypriot community the habit of receiving salary without working. Turkey was unable to revive TRNC's tourism, because Ankara did not have enough planes. She did not invest in Cyprus, she did not encourage and direct the private sector in Turkey to invest in the TRNC. She did not even arrange properly to import TRNC citrus fruit to Turkey. It is obvious to everybody what the economic situation of the TRNC and Turkey is. As the case is the Greek Cypriots made huge progress in the economic field, and on top of this, they will become EU members. While their national income is increasing ours is decreasing and the gap between the sides is getting deeper.

The Foreign Ministry (Turkish) just now started seeing the EU relations in the light of this existing reality. The world is heading towards a direction that specially in the EU there will be no boundaries, there will be an EU flag and the member countries will hoist their national flags next to the EU flag. If this situation prevails, the loser will be the Turkish Cypriots.

There is a lot of time for Turkey to enter the EU. The Turkish Cypriots by refusing to attend the talks and by saying `no' to the EU are pulling the rug under their feet. Denktash will profit more if he cooperates with the doves in Ankara and not the hawks.

[Paragraph omitted]

Question: How could you evaluate the latest decision of the National Security Council (NSC), regarding the Cyprus policy?

[Sami Kohen's evaluation omitted]

Sedat Sertoglu: Totally wrong decision. I was expecting a more reasonable decision. Both Turkey and the TRNC will foot the bill of this decision. Something characteristic of the Turkish people is that they act at the last moment. I am very curious about what we shall do at the last moment.

It is easy to shout, cry utter and boast. What will happen if the EU admits the Greek Cypriots alone? If we want to become a third world country like the Sudan, then it is all right.

Denktash continues to refuse the fact that the Third World mentality has died. If you assess the NSC decision from this point of view, you will see that it is wrong. Time is getting short, we have little time".

[02] Rauf Denktash wants Turkish Cypriots to get pensions from the Republic of Cyprus without paying premiums

Speaking at a cocktail party organized by the Pensioners' Associations on the Pensioners Week, he said: "The Greek Cypriot Administration had added an article to a bill saying that ``those who didn`t pay their premiums in the last ten years will not be given their retiree pensions`` purposefully".

He said that the Social Security has to pay back the savings of the Turkish Cypriots. Denktash alleged the Turkish Cypriots could not pay their premiums in the last ten years because the Greek Cypriots divided the island into two and tried to turn the status of Turkish Cypriots into a minority.

[03] HURRIYET on Belgian Foreign Minister's visit to Turkey

Under the title: "Abandon Your Quarrelsome Approach", Metehan Demir writes: "The EU has said that it supports every initiative Turkey makes to catch up with Western standards. However, it also said that Ankara should understand that what is important is to realize the reforms that have been outlined on paper.

Foreign Minister of Belgium Louis Michel has visited Ankara as the new EU Term President. He conveyed important messages to Turkey through Hurriyet. Although he stressed that Turkey becoming a full member will be important for the EU from a strategic and political viewpoint, he refrained from clearly disclosing a date for the accession. Michel urged Turkey to abandon its quarrelsome approach. That was a strange message. He recalled that the EU invited Turkey to apply to join the organization as a full member. The messages he conveyed can be summed up as follows:

Turkey Cannot Become a Member in This Way

Turkey wants to become a member of the EU, which has clear rules on democracy, economy, and politics. However, it sometimes gets involved in a polemic on compliance with those rules. As a friend, I would suggest that Turkey should fulfill its responsibilities like the other countries without disputing with our system. Otherwise, nothing can be achieved by the two sides if Ankara says "That cannot be done. Why do we not do it this way." We want to help you. Meanwhile, Turkey must take clear steps on the role of the military forces. It must also do so on the recognition of the right of people to have education and broadcasts in their own languages, including Kurdish, the abolition of the death penalty, the obstruction of torture in custody, the improvement of conditions in prisons, and the operations in penitentiaries.

Military Forces Must Withdraw From Active Politics

I am aware of the military forces' historic role in Turkey. I am aware of their importance. However, I believe that the military forces must withdraw from active politics in the new era. We have received positive signs on the matter. But, it is now the time to take more effective steps.

Closure of Political Parties

The closure of political parties has no place in Europe's democracy. I hope Turkey will take the necessary measures and avoid making a similar mistake in the future.

We Will Agree To Greek Cypriot Accession

We will agree to the accession of the Greek Cypriots to the EU if south Cyprus fulfills its obligations. We also want the Turkish Cypriot side to join the organization. In view of that, Turkey must put pressure on Rauf Denktash to force him to agree to the resumption of the talks.

Under the title: "Ankara: We Will Not Make Concessions on Cyprus and ESDI", Ugur Ergan reports on Ankara's reaction as follows:

"Ankara has clearly informed Belgium on its stand on various problems. Belgium has taken the EU Term Presidency from Sweden. The messages Ankara conveyed to Brussels are:

Cyprus: Turkey and the TRNC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] will strongly react to the accession of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU. We expect Belgium, which is made up of two communities, to be more understanding.

European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI): The presentation of the ESDI as a problem between Turkey and the EU is very wrong. The matter concerns NATO. It is an internal affair of the organization. Turkey will not make any concession on it.

Economic Crisis: Turkey will definitely solve its economic crisis.

Democratization: Brussels has warned us on democratization. However, terrorist organizations like the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan], DHKP-C [Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front], and the Medya TV are based in Belgium.

Virtue Party Case: The constitutional amendment that will make the closure of political parties difficult will be included on the parliament's agenda in September.

[04] Turkish Cypriot Trade Union leader condemns the role of the so-called Turkish ambassador in occupied Cyprus

Konuloglu went on and said: "The economic, democratic and political problems of the TRNC will not be solved unless it is ruled by the governments.

Whatever the Envoy says, they do it. All the decisions pass through the Turkish Ambassador's approval. Since the case is so let them send a governor here".

[05] Turkish Cypriot teachers support federal solution and Cyprus` accession to the EU

Speaking to Sevgul Uludag of Yeniduzen (06.07.01), Mr. Barcin said that by entering the EU, the Turkish Cypriots will stop being hostages of separatist policies such as Enosis (union with Greece), division and integration with Turkey and at the same time they will contribute to the regional and world peace.

Asked about the things the Turkish Cypriots have to do in order to join the EU accession process, Mr. Barcin noted, inter alia, the following:

"...The general assembly of KTOEOS has decided to support a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation within the framework of the 1977 - 79 High Level Agreements. As the `solution` is the only way leading to peace, accession to the EU must be done together through this process. If the organizations struggle together having this common will, then the problem will be solved. ...

With the accession to the EU, the Turkish Cypriots will not only free themselves from being hostages of separatist policies such as Enosis, division and integration, but at the same time they will be serving the peoples of Turkey and Greece as well as the regional and world peace. ...

The first step which the Turkish Cypriots must do immediately is to begin working intensively for the harmonization with the EU criteria and give importance to awakening the community and getting it ready for this process by informing it. ... What we must do is continuously exchange views with the Greek Cypriots, work on common bicommunal projects, take part in all the activities which are financed by the European Council and work towards peace in the island. ...

The thing we must do at this moment, is to join the EU family with a federal solution. The Turkish Cypriots have no other way to be liberated..."

[06] A rally by the Platform 'This Country is Ours' against the socioeconomic problems of the occupied areas

The rally will take place at Inonu square at 8.00 p.m.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Columnist in CUMHURIYET comments on the illegal visit of Turkish military cadets to the occupied areas

The future commanders will stay in northern part of the island, that the EU with various intrigues want to integrate with the Greek Cypriots until the end of this month, and will be trained in various units of the Turkish Peace Forces Corps.

Welcoming the cadets, the Turkish Peace Forces Commander Lieutenant-General Sukru Sariisik, repeated what they have learned at the college about the strategic importance of the island. It is understood that the Turkish Armed Forces not only pay attention to the future commanders to know Cyprus in all its dimensions; but wants to convey a certain message to friends and foes using the Army's special symbol: the Military College.

Since 1974 it is the first time that the Military College realizes such a mass landing in Cyprus. The unit made up of 107 cadets will also take part in the military parade to be held in Nicosia on the anniversary of the 20 July, thus giving more colour to the message that the Army wants to convey". Birgit then refers to Turkish Prime Minister Ecevit's fear that the IMF and World Bank decisions to postpone loan negotiations with Turkey might turn into diplomatic demands specially on Cyprus and the Aegean. Birgit justifies Ecevit's fears.

"Since all these that have occurred will not change Ankara's views on Cyprus and the Aegean in line with Greece's demands, then Ecevit is right in his worries that until Turkey overcomes the economic difficulties she will face initiatives that carry diplomatic weight", Birgit concludes.

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