Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-09-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas describes the EU as a wall preventing the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[02] Denktas challenges President Clerides to a discussion about the Cyprus problem before European institutions.

[03] Denktas to visit Gaziantep.

[04] Murat Karayalcin and Bulent Akarcali on Cyprus/ EU accession.

[05] Russian tourists on an one-day visit to the occupied areas.

[06] A new advisor for the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas.

[07] The General Secretary of the Patriotic Union Movement says that political circles are undermining Cyprus and Turkey's accession into EU.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] Sedat Sertoglu sees Turkish Army behind Denktas/ decision to refuse Kofi Annan/s invitation.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas describes the EU as a wall preventing the solution of the Cyprus problem

Mr Denktas issued a written statement yesterday commenting on a warning by George Vasiliou, Head of the Negotiating Team for the Accession of Cyprus to the EU, who said that if the Turkish Cypriot side insisted on the confederation then a divided Cyprus would join the EU.

Replying to the demand of the Greek Cypriot side for a solution in accordance with the acquis communautaire, the Turkish Cypriot leader supported, among other things, the following:

«...The EU cannot interfere in a domestic agreement to be signed in Cyprus. Let them (the Greek Cypriots) not use the EU as an excuse. ...Then division of Cyprus will be recorded by the EU as well. They will continue on their path and we on our path. The EU and the Greek Cypriots will have to bear the consequences of such a division. ...If Europe is the Europe we know, it has started to feel pangs of conscience because of the fact that it had been deceived by the Greek - Greek Cypriot duo. When the day comes it will definitely see the realities and give the necessary answer to Vasiliou who is a very skilled negotiator capable of selling refrigerators to the Eskimos...».

[02] Denktas challenges President Clerides to a discussion about the Cyprus problem before European institutions

«...Let them permit us, me and Clerides, to defend our case on the Cyprus problem at any institution of the EU as if we were before a court. Let them decide after that. I am ready for this. ...Let Clerides come to meet me, in order to discuss face to face the common ground.».

[03] Denktas to visit Gaziantep

Furthermore, the Turkish Cypriot leader will open his personal photograph exhibition in Gaziantep. He is expected to return to the occupied areas on 19 September.

[04] Murat Karayalcin and Bulent Akarcali on Cyprus/ EU accession

He said that since 1974 a policy of balance is applied in Cyprus and «if this balance is tilted in one of the sides/ favour then this will create a crisis». Karayalcin said that he does not consider Denktas/ withdrawal from the talks a positive step.

As for Cyprus/ EU accession Karayalcin said: «This is a very bleak picture. The Greek Cypriot side/s EU membership will create a major problem. This is the bleakest picture that one can think of. Those who know world politics can understand what this means. The Greek Cypriot side/s EU accession, will render impossible the two communities living together».

On the other hand, the deputy leader of Turkey/s Motherland Party Bulent Akarcali said that «it is a provocation to accept the Greek Cypriot side in the EU as the representative of the island». He went on and said: «The developments have surpassed the diplomatic language. One has to pay attention to this».

[05] Russian tourists on an one-day visit to the occupied areas

[06] A new advisor for the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas

[07] The General Secretary of the Patriotic Union Movement says that political circles are undermining Cyprus and Turkey's accession into EU

Izcan, inter alia, said that the Cyprus problem has entered a new and serious stage. During the Helsinki Summit of 1999 the Council committed itself that the solution of the Cyprus problem will not be a precondition of Cyprus' accession into EU and Turkey also confirmed this decision. Stressing that with this intransigent and contradictory policy they isolate the Turkish Cypriots from the modern world, Izcan said that these circles are at the same time undermining Turkey's membership to the EU.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] Sedat Sertoglu sees Turkish Army behind Denktas/ decision to refuse Kofi Annan/s invitation

«What kind of Cyprus policy do you call this? Everybody knows we have a saying, "play to lose". That exactly sums up our Cyprus policy.

An incredibly flawed policy. A policy that gives us one hell of a headache. Denktas' not joining Annan was a spectacular own goal for Turkey. Well done boys. Now Clerides is going to go to New York with a huge grin on his face. He will make best use of Denktas' absence and tell the world, "Look, I came to make peace and the Turks have not come." Thanks to this our inherent bad nature will be seen again. The world will find him justified. What must you be in order not to see this and to fail to understand the consequences of such a policy?

I wonder what happened to make Denktas turn down the UN Secretary- General's request at the last moment? What did Turkey gain by this? Yet, the outcome of the contacts was positive. According to our Foreign Ministry, Secretary-General Annan's latest approaches "had been satisfying enough to start talks." That is how they explained it to me. Then for some reason, positions changed suddenly. What happened? Who stepped in? Was it the General Staff? If it was them, it is normal for them to voice their views. But, in democratic countries it is the prime minister that takes decisions. But it is as if the prime minister was bypassed. The Foreign Ministry cannot take foreign policy decisions off its own bat.

Constitutional Amendments

We are portraying a strange image to the world. We have been totally unable to escape eating that strange meal known as "Half-baked democracy." It is always on our plates.

Now the headlines are occupied with the 37-article constitutional amendments package... Let us see what Parliament is going to do... Who is going to try and dilute the articles by submitting their own proposals? During the Merve Kavakci affair, Prime Minister roared, "Show this woman where the line is drawn." Will he show the same sensitivity towards the constitutional amendments? Will Mesut Yilmaz stand behind the relationship between the amendments and EU membership till the very end?

Just why Democracy is fearful I fail to understand. The problems actually arise "not from a dearth of democracy but from a lack of it." We are of the same opinion.

The 21st century and Turkey is still eating half-baked democracy with a side order of rotting Constitution, and so is it going to fail to hit this century? The end of our dream of EU membership will benefit just whom exactly in Turkey?

In order for Parliament to start debating the amendments, there needs to be at least 184 deputies present. The secret ballots require at least 330 votes to pass an amendment. Afterwards, if the amendments are watered down, there is the possibility of President Sezer putting the issue to public vote. Why should he put his signature to an amendment he cannot abide?

There is not a single country in this world that considers thought a crime. Just what benefit has been achieved to date by keeping the Turkish people continuously "on the defensive" at international arenas, and what could it bring now?

People like us, who attend international meetings, have always experienced the pressure because of this and will continue to do so... This applies equally to domestic as well as foreign policy issues.

We have had enough of "half-baked democracy". We want democracy as it should be. There should no longer be any grey areas in Turkey.

Let us see what our notorious deputies with their political leaders and their tendency to follow the chain of command want. Not long now until we find out...

KV/SK

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