Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-08-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with political party representatives of occupied Cyprus

[02] New occupation army Commander pledges to maintain the occupation forces ready for war

[03] "Cyprus Action Plan" an important step in integration of occupied Cyprus with Turkey

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Columnist in "Ortadogu" newspaper challenges Mesut Yilmaz for his statement on the Armed Forces

[05] Speculations on tomorrow's National Security Council meeting

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with political party representatives of occupied Cyprus

Avrupa (18/8/01) reports that the leader of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) Mr Mustafa Akinci, did not attend the meeting with Denktash, but instead he sent the Party General Secretary, Mr Ozal Ziya and Mr Gungor Gurkan, responsible for International Relations.

On the other hand there was nothing new from the meeting of the parties with Denktash. The National Unity Party (NUP), the Democratic Party (DP) and the Nationalist Justice Party (NJP) expressed full support, while the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) and the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) officials did not tell Denktash that he does not represent the Community, writes Avrupa. While CLP said, "we have encouraged esteemed Denktash for the talks", the Republican Turkish Party put forward the view that "we should enter the EU definitely after a solution", concludes Avrupa.

On the same issue illegal Bayrak Radio 17/8/01 reported that Rauf Denktash has issued a statement on his meetings with the political parties. Recounting that he is generally happy with the views expressed by the political party representatives, Denktash said that all the parties were in unity of views on the sine qua nons, adding: However, one party believes the negotiations should continue whatever the circumstances.

Expressing satisfaction that he did not encounter a picture, which ran counter to what he has been saying, Denktash added: "Naturally, certain colleagues said that the negotiations can continue regardless of the situation. They are pursuing their known policies, which claim that the rights should be defended on the negotiation table."

Stating that the meeting with the UN Secretary-General on 28 August will be held in order to explore the grounds upon which the conditions for the launching of the talks can be determined, Denktash added: "The outcome of the meeting with the UN Secretary - General can be assessed with the government, parliament, and if necessary with Turkey."

Insisting that the essential principles of equality and sovereignty and the guarantee that there will be no Greek Cypriot domination over the Turkish Cypriots, who will in no way whatsoever be a minority, Denktash alleged that efforts were under way to disrupt the balance of population in Cyprus through the EU.

Calling on the EU countries, Denktash said that it should be made clear that the Greek Cypriot application to the EU is unilateral, on their behalf only, and that the Greek Cypriots cannot be the heirs of the partnership republic.

Noting that he will reiterate his proposal to diagnose correctly the Cyprus issue and that he will put forward the Turkish Cypriot views once again, Denktash added: "I hope that we will be received with understanding."

[02] New occupation army Commander pledges to maintain the occupation forces ready for war

The ceremony was attended by the Turkish Cypriot Leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, the so-called prime minister Dervish Eroglu and the so-called ambassador of Turkey, Mr Hayati Guven.

Speaking at the ceremony the new occupation army commander Ozteker said it would be his priority to train disciplined brigades who will always be ready for a war situation.

[03] "Cyprus Action Plan" an important step in integration of occupied Cyprus with Turkey

"Turkey has taken an important step in the northern Cyprus integration process by reducing customs tariffs to zero.

Goods produced in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC] will be able to enter the country without having to pay fund and customs taxes from now on.

Northern Cyprus will now be able to carry out via Turkey the trade it cannot make with the EU and other third party countries because of the economic embargo. By means of this move, Ankara aims to make the Cyprus economy more productive and powerful. In response to the EU preparing to accept southern Cyprus as a full member, Turkey is slowly enacting a policy of integration with TRNC. According to information gleaned from diplomatic sources, the "Application Agreement on Restructuring Trade Relations" with TRNC came into effect this week following a Cabinet decision rearranging the export of TRNC-manufactured goods to the EU and third party countries.

Once the official written correspondence has been completed the application will be brought to life thus eliminating all fund and customs taxes to be paid when goods produced in TRNC are imported. According to the agreement, the amount of goods imported should not exceed $30 million. Turkey's decision to abolish customs tariff with TRNC was taken as part of the "Cyprus Action Plan" that was seen and approved by the National Security Council last year.

The application has been on the agenda for some time now but had not been enacted due to EU reaction and the reservations of the State Minister for Customs. Diplomats note that this decision aims to turn northern Cyprus into a productive economy. The mid-term goal is the creation of a "joint economic sphere" between both countries. Turkey sends $100 million of aid to Cyprus every year. The new application aims to reduce this burden.

Other significant advances are also noted in the articles of the Cyprus Action Plan. The State Incentive for Investment Agreement, which is the second important step aimed at the economy, envisages some $160 million in funding being provided over four years. Cypriot businessmen will now be able to avail themselves of all the rights afforded to Turkish citizens within the scope of these advantages being made available to the people of TRNC. In the words of the diplomats, "...the only thing the TRNC citizens cannot do is vote."

Turkey's contribution to relieving the electricity and water shortage in northern Cyprus is continuing. Even if the water problem is being addressed in the short term by the carrying of water in bladders to the island, the State Planning Department has completed work on the project to pump water via a pipeline from the river Dragon over the medium term. A decision from the Energy Ministry over the construction of a 30-megawatt supplementary power station to meet northern Cyprus' energy needs is expected to be taken.

Work is also continuing on the campus that the Middle East Technical University is going to open at Morphou. Preparations are also being made to establish a medical faculty at the Eastern Mediterranean University.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Columnist in "Ortadogu" newspaper challenges Mesut Yilmaz for his statement on the Armed Forces

"The ANAP's [Motherland Party] high-level officials, who back ANAP Leader Mesut Yilmaz's unfortunate statement, argue that the armed forces should return to their barracks and stop interfering in politics.

This is a good example of adding fuel to the fire. For, the armed forces' powers and responsibilities are clearly laid down in the Constitution. In other words, the armed forces would not remain indifferent to attacks similar to Don Quixote's assault on a windmill.

The military would have the right to speak up at any time and at any forum unless ANAP officials drop their nonsense argument that a national security syndrome is blocking Turkey's progress.

Today, not only the armed forces, but also our grandmothers and grandfathers in their seventies and even children at the age of 7 would naturally have the right to criticize the politicians against a backdrop of ethnic separatism, which has put the country on brink of a division, and fundamentalist groups threatening the regime.

The members of the armed forces are not aliens from outer space. All of them are the descendants of this great nation. Each of them was brought up in well-planned and disciplined environment. They are not less educated and experienced than the politicians. Therefore, they can notice dangers and designs on Turkey better than the politicians.

I think that Yilmaz, who has said Turkey would join the EU at any cost, should better try to perceive Europe's designs on Turkey instead of attacking the armed forces.

I wonder why Yilmaz is unable to take on the duty of protecting the Turkish nation's honour and dignity and bringing Europeans, who intend to revive the Sevres Treaty in order to divide our country, into line rather than acting as the mouthpiece of foreign countries, which resort to all types of pressuring and arm-twisting tactics.

I also doubt whether he is the follower of a mentality, which despises Turkish nationalism just like late President Turgut Ozal.

What is the reason that motivates ANAP officials to struggle against the members of the Armed Forces who make every type of sacrifice for the sake of the country and the nation? What would Yilmaz and his party gain if the number of soldiers in the Turkish Armed Forces is reduced, defense spending is cut and Turkish troops withdraw from Cyprus?

Turkey is not a colony which could accept any decision inconsistent with its interests. The Turkish nation is neither a spiritless nation and therefore its members would never surrender the Turkish section in Cyprus, whose borders had been painted by their blood, to Greek Cypriot bullies. Why should chasing after Europeans, who insist on education in Kurdish language and make similar demands, be a duty falling upon Yilmaz?

The military will certainly express its opinions. It is not the right time for them to keep waiting in the barracks. Remaining vigilant against all sorts of threats and dangers is a duty falling upon every Turkish citizen who has even a drop of Turkish blood in his or her veins. How could the armed forces eliminate threats and dangers if they are not allowed to express their opinions and feelings about national issues?

Do you want them to seal their lips?

Jets could fly and tanks could parade as long as we have politicians who assert that the road to the EU is linked to Diyarbakir. If you take a step further you would even hear a thunder crashing in the sky. Those, who are unable to see their own faults, have no right to criticize others. ANAP officials should first weigh up themselves in terms of their performance in the past and prospects for the future.

I would be delighted to hear their judgment."

[05] Speculations on tomorrow's National Security Council meeting

"The National Security Council's [NSC] meeting tomorrow will be important from the point of view of the controversy over national security and the package of constitutional amendments. We noted yesterday that Motherland Party [ANAP] Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz intends to address the NSC meeting on the two subjects because the convocation is the last to be held before the parliament takes up the constitutional changes. Yilmaz plans to bring the links between the package of constitutional amendments and the controversy over national security to the Council's attention to establish its approach before the changes are finalized.

What kind of an approach will the military commanders adopt when the NSC meets tomorrow? President Sezer and Prime Minister Ecevit will not bring up the controversy over national security. Nor are the military commanders inclined to do so. However, the commanders will reiterate the reservations they outlined in the MGK meetings in the past if Mesut Yilmaz brings up the subject when the constitutional amendments are discussed. The military commanders are inclined to hear what Yilmaz has to say and then outline their views.

The military commanders expect the package of amendments to be changed in accordance with the reservations they conveyed to the civilian members of the Council some time ago on national unity and the secular structure of the state. They will most probably respond to Yilmaz by stressing that some of the steps that will be taken in accordance with the package might create risks for national security.

A difference of views does not exist between the NSC civilian and military on Turkey's accession to the EU as a full member. However, it seems that the military reservations on Cyprus and the ESDI are an important issue in the Council. It will be recalled that an effort has been made to exclude Turkey from the ESDI decision-making mechanisms.

Chief of the General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and the force commanders are expected to meet today to prepare for the NSC convocation tomorrow. They will finalize the approach they will adopt on the subjects that might be brought up when the Council meets.

Meanwhile, Mesut Yilmaz will also prepare for the meeting tomorrow. He will hold talks with Minister of State Nejat Arseven, who chaired the Turkish Grand National Assembly Adaptation Committee when the package of constitutional amendments was drawn up, and Prof. Dr. Ergun Ozbudun, who was elected to the ANAP Central Decision-Making and Executive Council at the party convention a few days ago. The talks the sides will have will finalize their approach on national security and constitutional amendments. The two issues are not on the agenda of the enlarged NSC meeting. However, they might be taken up by the main Council members later."

KV/EG

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