Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-12-18

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Comprehensive Plan said to have been prepared by the United States

[02] Ecevit assesses the results of Laeken Summit. He is to meet Bush in mid-January

[03] Yahnici: "Continuation of the non-solution has no benefit"

[04] Sukru Sina Gurel: "I believe the outcome of talks will be good in Cyprus''

[05] Turkey's Minister of Agriculture and Village Affairs: "We will never make concessions in Cyprus for accession to the EU''

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Comprehensive Plan said to have been prepared by the United States

Sources said that the Cyprus plan which had been prepared by the U.S. State Department included a Cyprus map prepared through a computer program. This computer program was earlier used to create a three-dimensional map of the region for share of territories after the Bosnia War.

Sources said that the map offered opportunity of examining all villages, towns, fields and water basins on Cyprus from the bird`s eye view on computer, and it would be useful in appropriate share of territories.

Before the preparation of the map, the United States had carried out a topography work in cooperation with both sides on Cyprus, sources said.

Sources said that the United States would introduce its comprehensive Cyprus plan step by step through the United Nations as long as the process of talks continued.

"If the new process reached a deadlock, the United States would rapidly bring this plan onto the agenda in order to start a new process", the same sources said.

Observers in Washington D.C. said that the United States could recommend the Greek Cypriot side to "put on the brakes" in its EU membership process if the process of talks between Denktas and President Glafcos Clerides continued.

Meanwhile, Turkey supports the new process on Cyprus, but thinks that there should not be any external intervention.

Diplomatic sources said that solution was beneficial to all relevant sides, and Denktas and Clerides could prepare a "set of parameters" if they were left alone, and that intervention of the UN Secretary-General after the two leaders asked for help would be more beneficial.

[02] Ecevit assesses the results of Laeken Summit. He is to meet Bush in mid-January

Ecevit exchanged Ramadan feast greetings at the Democratic Left Party (DLP) Headquarters in Ankara.

Explaining his opinions about the Laeken Summit in Brussels, Ecevit said that developments which could be considered positive for Turkey had occurred at the EU meeting.

``Meanwhile, the prospect of opening of accession negotiations with Turkey has been officially stated. So it became clear that it is the time to take steps on our EU full membership path. An organization under the name of convention had been wanted to be formed within the EU structure. Some members had intentions of excluding Turkey from this organization. However, we insisted on our right and got it. Also Turkey will participate in this convention which will take decisions on EU`s future, fulfilling a very important function,`` he said.

``We exerted intense efforts regarding the matter of European Security and Defense Policy for two and a half years and we got the results. Now, it is understood that Greece raises obstacles in front of this. However, this no more concerns us. It is an issue that the EU will solve within itself. Whether or not Turkey participates in the EU, it does have an important position especially in the Balkans, Black Sea, Middle East and Central Asia, which nobody can ignore. I believe that also the EU is taking and will take this into consideration,`` Ecevit said.

``The war in Afghanistan came to an end; however, there are some extremely serious problems. I am deeply concerned about the dispute among rival leaders. We have been attributing great importance and making contributions to independence and development of Afghanistan since 1920s. We will continue to contribute in the future,`` he said.

Recalling that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem had started his three-day tour to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Prime Minister Ecevit said: ``We do not have any expectation from Afghanistan. We will do our utmost for development of Afghanistan in a democratic and secular regime.`` Recalling that U.S. President George W. Bush had invited him to the United States, Prime Minister Ecevit said: ``This is a perfect opportunity to assess recent developments with our close friend and ally. In the second half of January, I will pay a visit to the United States. Certain date of my visit has not been set yet.``

[03] Yahnici: "Continuation of the non-solution has no benefit"

Noting that apart from the economic crisis it faced in 2001, Turkey also faced difficulties in its foreign relations abroad because of the Cyprus problem and the EU issues, Yahnici said that however, there are hopeful developments as regards 2002.

Regarding Cyprus Yahnici said: "Non-solution in Cyprus means continuation of the problems on the international level for Turkey and for Greece. If we create, by solving our problems with Greece and Cyprus, the necessary conditions that will help us to look forward, this will be a blessing for Turkey and Greece as well as for the two communities in Cyprus. Continuation of the non-solution is benefiting neither Turkey nor Greece and nor the two communities in the island".

[04] Sukru Sina Gurel: "I believe the outcome of talks will be good in Cyprus''

[05] Turkey's Minister of Agriculture and Village Affairs: "We will never make concessions in Cyprus for accession to the EU''

Explaining that Turkey is renewing itself in every field in order to enter into the EU, Gokalp said that those people who say that we have to make concessions in order to accede to the EU they are "sick brains''.

KV/SK

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