Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-08-07

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Negative reaction by the Turkish Cypriot side to Mr Kasoulides´ appeal for a climate of co-operation.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader on his forthcoming meeting with the UN Secretary-General.

[03] Izzet Izcan: The administration in North Cyprus is contrary to International Law.

[04] The building in the yard of Thermiotissa church to be constructed without foundations.

[05] Measures against those who think differently in the occupied areas.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] «Radical» newspaper columnist says Cyprus is the most important problem in Turkey-EU relations.

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnist refers to the views of Western diplomat regarding three obstacles on the way towards the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[08] Columnist in AVRUPA blames the Turkish army for the bad situation in occupied Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Negative reaction by the Turkish Cypriot side to Mr Kasoulides´appeal for a climate of co-operation

The statement alleged that in the same speech Mr Kasoulides «enumerated all the factors of the intransigent Greek Cypriot policy and tried to impose his conciliation model on the Turkish Cypriot side». The «Ministry» further noted that it is self-evident that an atmosphere of security and cooperation cannot be created in Cyprus by wanting to apply the EU norms throughout the entire island and by denying the «sovereignty rights» of the Turkish Cypriots.

The «Ministry» stated that Mr Kasoulides is trying to portray a sympathetic image to the outside world by first appealing to the Turkish Cypriot side and then demanding that all the Greek Cypriot conditions for a solution be accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side. The statement added that Kasoulides, reinforced by the EU process, is at the same time conveying to the Turkish Cypriots the message that the policy of the Greek Cypriots will not change.

The statement concluded: «The Turkish Cypriot side is well aware that Greek Cypriot views have not and will not change. Such insincere appeals have no purpose other than increasing the mistrust of the Turkish Cypriots. The speech made by Kasoulides with references to the occupation clearly indicate that the Greek Cypriot mentality will never change.

The Greek Cypriot side should accept the legitimate presence of motherland Turkey on the island which is based on the 1960 guarantee agreement».

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader on his forthcoming meeting with the UN Secretary-General

Speaking to reporters after the meeting Denktas referred to the report prepared by the UN Sub-committee on Human Rights and repeated his allegations regarding the situation in Cyprus between 1963-1974.

In reply to a question by a reporter, Denktas said that reports to the effect that the United States has given guarantees to the Greek Cypriots in connection with the talks affect the Turkish Cypriots adding that, however, the existence of such a guarantee was denied in contacts held on the issue. Disclosing that as a result of the contacts held with the Americans, the Turkish Cypriot side was given assurances that such a guarantee does not exist, Denktas said that if such a guarantee is given to the Greek Cypriot side, then there will be no need to hold talks.

He continued: «Since we have been given assurances that such a guarantee was not given to the Greek Cypriots, we will go to Salzburg in peace and we will try and learn from the UN Secretary-General which issues will be discussed with the Greek Cypriots under which circumstances and within which framework». In reply to a question on how many meetings he will hold with the UN Secretary-General, Denktas said that they will meet at 15:00 on 28 August, that there is no other planned meeting, but that, if necessary, it can be arranged there.

In reply to a question whether he will make a visit to Ankara prior to his meeting with the UN Secretary-General, Denktas said that his contacts with Ankara are continuing and that a meeting might be held either in Northern Cyprus or in Ankara in a bid to exchange views.

In reply to another question on the economic developments, Denktas said that the «government» briefed him at today´s meeting, that the technical delegation from Turkey is continuing its activities, and that he hopes that the «customs» obstacles between Turkey and the pseudostate will be lifted in line with the report to be prepared by the delegation. Describing this as a great step, Denktas said that Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit shares his views. He noted that the sale of Turkish Cypriot goods in Turkey, in lieu of monetary aid, will revive the economy. Noting that transportation to the occupied areas should be made cheaper, Denktas said that the «government» is working on this issue.

[03] Izzet Izcan: The administration in North Cyprus is contrary to International Law

When one compares the South with the north in Cyprus, Izcan said, the south reached the point to be an EU full member whereas in the north factories were shut down, citrus groves died and a tragedy is being experienced.

Izcan went on and said that the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) and the Communal Liberation Party (CLP), by cooperating and establishing partnership with those who won elections by distributing «war booty» and with their bad handling, they have lost the people´s trust.

«The administration in north Cyprus is contrary to the International Law and Human Rights. Democracy in the country is an imaginary democracy where the implementation of the fundamental human rights of the Turkish Cypriots is precluded», Izcan stressed.

Noting that what Denktash says and defends do not agree with the people´s interest, Izcan said: «A man holding the Presidency, at the top position, should be a unifying element».

Declaring that the PUM supports Cyprus´s EU membership as well as efforts towards the solution of the Cyprus problem, Izcan stressed that the High Level agreement signed between Makarios and Denktash in 1977 and the four guidelines drew the outline of the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Izcan said that polls results show that people favour a federal settlement and EU membership, and added: «The interests of the people in Cyprus, Turkey and Greece dictate such a settlement».

[04] The building in the yard of Thermiotissa church to be constructed without foundations

The villagers are opposing the turning of Thermiotissa Church into a restaurant and night club.

The protesters first blocked the road leading to the Church with the cars and carried Turkish and English placards: «Hands off Historical sites», «EVKAF OFFICE-STOP THIS SACRILEGE - NO ACCESS - NO BUILDING».

AVRUPA reports that the annex being built in the Church yard will not have foundations. The reason is that in case they lay foundations during the excavation antique implements might be surfaced and this might lead to withdrawing of the «permission» for the building.

AVRUPA wonders why the occupation regime did not carry excavations first and then permit building the annex, and how will the antiquities be brought to day light once the building is constructed?

[05] Measures against those who think differently in the occupied areas

Speaking yesterday at a meeting with a delegation of representatives of the terrorist TMT organization and the Association of the so-called «Turkish Cypriot Fighters», Mr. Denktas noted that he hoped that the so-called parliament would meet soon, and make the necessary «laws». Then «we shall relax», he added.

The delegation of TMT and the «Fighters» demanded from Mr. Denktas the measures to be taken as soon as possible.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS [06] «Radical» newspaper columnist says Cyprus is the most important problem in Turkey-EU relations

«Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's confession-like disclosures yesterday about relations between civilians and the military will apparently generate serious debate in the coming period. Yet Yilmaz did not use the word "soldier" in his entire speech at the ANAP [Motherland Party] convention transmitted live on television.

However, his complaint that civilian politics in the country has never been able to grow sufficiently strong and that the use of national security pretexts is the biggest hurdle in Turkey's EU membership process; and his acknowledgement that every step that needs to be taken for the welfare of the state is blocked because of these same national security arguments was aimed at exposing the existence of a problem in the relationship between civilians and the military in the administration of the state with an explicitness that leaves no room for any other interpretation.

When speaking about the battle against corruption, which constitutes ANAP's biggest problem, he cited the use of "corruption rumours, which is the easiest weapon," to discredit politicians prior to the military intervention of 1960. Those remarks strengthen this interpretation.

One can argue that Yilmaz's remarks were not aimed at the military alone or that he did not mean the military as a whole because we can still remember Chief of the General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu saying that he sees membership in the EU as Turkey's ultimate goal. In the meantime certain politicians, university professors, bureaucrats, prosecutors, judges, and journalists--all civilians from toe to nail--have used the military or the statements of certain soldiers as a means of supporting their own conservative views. However it is clear that [Yilmaz's] remarks were aimed at the military which is the address of national security.

When a Deputy Prime Minister who has served as Foreign Minister and Prime Minister for many years and who has appointed intelligence chiefs comes out and tells his party delegates and the entire nation that soldiers are raising hurdles before civilian politicians on certain issues that are in the country's interests, then we need to stop and think.

Naturally you may ask why a politician like Yilmaz who has put his stamp on the administration of the country for the last ten years and who has formed and spoiled several coalition governments did not realize this until now.

You may ask: Did he realize this only after becoming Minister of State for EU Affairs? You may ask whether he realized the existence of an obstructive front that includes the soldiers only after playing an active role in the 28 February process.

Of course Yilmaz could have cited concrete examples to bolster the justification for the controversy he has started in the middle of an economic crisis using the occasion of the ANAP convention. He could have explained what he means more explicitly.

For example, did he mean that the government actually wants to amend Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code but that the soldiers prevented it from doing so at National Security Council meetings?

For example, was he referring to the shelving of the Municipalities Law--which he sees necessary for the democratization of government--because of "fears about HADEP [People's Democracy Party]"? Or was he referring to the inability of society to discuss the Cyprus problem--which is really the most important problem with the EU--with all of its dimensions because of national security arguments?

These questions arise because Yilmaz, who has reported or confessed to society that there is a civilian-military problem in the administration of the state, chose not to cite such examples.

Yilmaz's remarks are right on one ground: his assessment that "Turkey will either become a country with the standards of Europe or it will look like one of the Baath dictatorships in the Middle East."

Indeed over the next two years Turkey will rapidly approach a crossroads of this type.

The EU membership process is possibly the most important measure of this crossroads. Cyprus and the European Security and Defense Policy are the most critical issues in Turkey's relations with the EU.

Both issues are directly related to the country's defense structure and the Turkish Armed Forces. On both issues Turkey has extremely legitimate interests. On both issues Turkey has to formulate a "plan B" in addition to its existing policies.

If what Yilmaz wants to do is to underscore this need in a process where relations with the EU are rapidly eating away at the calendar, then he should say so openly.

Because, as he says, Turkey does not have much time to lose».

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnist refers to the views of Western diplomat regarding three obstacles on the way towards the solution of the Cyprus problem

«A diplomat the country of whose plays one of the most influential roles in the efforts for a lasting solution in Cyprus, is being asked a question. - Is the solution really close?

The experienced diplomat first answers the question with a question. How do you see it?

The Turkish Cypriot businessman repeats the answer which is usually given. - How important is the way we see it? The important thing is what the influential countries want and the way they look at the solution. That is why I am asking you whether the solution is near.

And the Western diplomat takes again the word and says the following. - Do not think that you have no influence. You are the ones who live in Cyprus and whatever you want is definitely important and valuable.

If we understand well the point of this short answer, we shall understand much better our importance and our value. The island of Cyprus maintains its strategic position in all the developments in the region. The island of Cyprus is the centre of gravity of the region and we exist on this Cyprus which is the centre of gravity. The question is repeated: `Is the solution really close?`

Here is the answer of the most competent diplomat of this influential country on the island: `The solution is closer than ever. When we look at the Turkish side we come face to face with three obstacles on the way towards the solution. 1. The way the hierarchy of the Turkish Armed Forces sees Cyprus. 2. The Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who is a hard-liner on the issue of Cyprus. 3. Rauf Denktas.

It is known that the relations of the Turkish Armed Forces with the West have been established. Furthermore, the Turkish generals see well the changes in the world and Turkey`s future. Therefore, we believe that the Turkish Armed Forces will not prevent a solution on the Cyprus issue which will protect the interests of Turkey as well. Or the opinion that they could easily come to this point, carries weight.

What is expected by Bulent Ecevit is not different.

Rauf Denktas, even though he is not powerful, during this period he has a great influence on the political life of Turkey. Is this by itself enough to prevent the solution which will be found to the Cyprus problem?`

And there is an interesting addition: `We must also see that the political lives of Ecevit and Denktas are not so long. If the procedure of recent presidential elections in the North continued, the results of a Denktas - Eroglu or a Denktas - Akinci race could be surprizing`.

The initiatives towards finding a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem have entered a serious and important procedure. Coming to this point was not achieved without day and night work, without trouble and without preliminary work. The calendar is a calendar started the next day after the talks were stopped. ...The negotiations will start. The conditions have made the solution `a condition` for all the sides which are interested in Cyprus. After the negotiations are started, the chance for making `tricks` will not easily be given to anybody. If there is someone who insists on `making tricks` he will be forced to pay the price for this. This letter has been sent to every one. And it has been sent registered with record of delivery returned to sender !!!».

[08] Columnist in AVRUPA blames the Turkish army for the bad situation in occupied Cyprus

«The Turkish Cypriots who were said to be embraced with their freedom, and regained peace in 1974 soon had experienced a major shock.

They were unable to understand what had happened. Robbery, rape, pickpocketing have escalated in an unrivalled manner.

The Turkish Cypriots, who were used to not lock their windows or chain their door gates, have started closing their windows and chaining their gates.

These were the first anomalies we have experienced between us and the people brought from outside (Tr. Note: From Turkey).

We have never experienced such crime rates neither during the British rule nor during the Republic´s years nor during the resistance days.

Recently the crime rate again started to escalate and increase. There is an important reason for this increase.

The situation in our ports is very serious.

We have written a lot about this in «AVRUPA».

But nobody paid attention. There is again artificial massing up of people in our country.

Is this to make up for the Turkish Cypriots who emigrated?

The entry gates in our country have been wide open and an order was given to the customs officials from the Security people: No question should be asked to people coming in.

No residence permit. No money Let every people get in

This is the reason why people coming with no money at all start robbing or stealing in Famagusta and Kyrenia, because they do not have money to travel to Nicosia nor to buy a sandwich Those who want to complain because their houses were robbed should complain to the army command

And they should ask

Why did you turn our country into a place where there is no control at all?»

KV/SK

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