Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-02-08

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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 leader of Turkey's Labour Party accuses Ismail Cem of being a national security problem.

[02] The occupation regime prevents Turkish Cypriot scientists from going to seminar in the free areas.

[03] Former commander of the Turkish Naval Forces on EU -Cyprus -Turkey relations.

[04] A football team of the so-called "police" to participate in a tournament in Dresden.

[05] EU official met with Talat and Angolemli in the occupied areas.

[06] A Cultural Festival in occupied Morphou with international participation.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The leader of Turkey/s Labour Party accuses Ismail Cem of being a national security problem

"Labour Party [IP] leader Dogu Perincek sent a petition to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on 30 January 2002. Perincek also sent copies to the Prime Ministry and to other state institutions represented at the National Security Council [NSC] for their information. Holding a press conference the next day, Perincek made public the petition he had sent to the President. We are publishing it word for word:

Mr President,

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem made the following statement on the TRT2 television program "45 Minutes" on 22 January 2002:

"Mrs Albright and I made an agreement in 1997 but it was not written or signed as such. And it was to do in particular with working together in Central Asia and the Caucasus; in other words the kind with a strategic character. We have always kept each other informed on Middle East issues and we consulted one another."

Not Written, Not Signed

According to this statement:

1. The Turkish Republic's Foreign Minister Ismail Cem made an "agreement" with US Secretary of State Albright in 1997. 2. This "agreement" was not on paper, nor was it signed.

3. The "agreement" was strategic in nature.

4. The "agreement" envisaged acting together especially in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

5. The signatories to the "agreement" have "kept each other informed" and "consulted one another" on Middle East issues.

Hidden From the Turkish State

Mr President,

Article 90 of the Constitution states that Parliament is to ratify all international treaties. When we look at the working records for Parliament after 1997 we find no law ratifying the unwritten, unsigned agreement made by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and US Secretary of State Albright.

Besides, ever since the Kadesh Treaty made between the Hittite and Egyptian kingdoms in 1283 BC, in other words for the past 3,285 years all states formed on Anatolian soil have made written treaties with foreign states and these treaties have always been signed by all parties to them.

As for this treaty or agreement being "strategic in nature", it is inconceivable for it to be unwritten and unsigned. Putting aside the argument of how binding they are legally, even secret agreements made between states are written and signed.

Forget agreements between states, all meetings between the Turkish Republic's foreign ministers and the representatives of foreign states are recorded in minutes, in other words in writing somewhere.

1. I wonder whether this "strategic" agreement has been noted in minutes and placed in the State's records? 2. Has this "strategic" agreement been submitted as a report to the Presidency and the Cabinet?

There is a legal and political obligation to find out whether this "strategic" agreement between Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and US Secretary of State Albright has been recorded in the State's books. If there is no record, then it means that this "strategic" agreement has been kept secret from the Turkish State.

What Information Did he Give Away?

Mr President,

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's culpability does not end there. The minister does not refrain from stating that he applied the provisions of this illegal "agreement". His words, "We kept each other informed and consulted one another on Middle East issues" are a serious confession of culpability.

According to the Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic's own words, he made an agreement with US Secretary of State Albright, which by virtue of not being written or signed or noted in State records is being kept secret from the State of the Turkish Republic, and was in accordance with the terms of that agreement keeping the US Secretary of State "informed on Middle East matters" and "consulting" one another.

What information has Foreign Minister Ismail Cem given to US Secretary of State Albright, with whom he made a "strategic" agreement, and on what matters did they consult? Were the Cabinet and the NSC made aware of this intelligence and consultation service?

How can an unwritten and unsigned agreement come about so that the Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic is made obliged to consult with and give information to US authorities?

There exists no legal text or record, no law or even agreement that would serve to allow such an activity!

Despite the entire legal framework, no "agreement" binding on Turkey has been made between Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and US Secretary of State Albright. If anything, a personal agreement was entered into.

Obligation to Act Together With United States

Mr President,

There is a separate obligation to discuss the contents of the agreement with respect to the pressure and threats against Turkey. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem states that the agreement brings with it the obligation "to inform and consult on Middle East matters and to act together especially in Central Asia and the Caucasus".

Yet, the program of the 55th Government -- formed in July 1997, when Ismail Cem and Albright made their agreement -- envisaged, "A switch to regional-centered foreign policy such as was carried out most successfully during Ataturk's time, and to emphasize Turkey's position and weight in the region in this context." That same program did not contain the "mission of intervening in crisis regions" as had been stressed in the previous Yilmaz and Ciller government programs. In fact, pro-US columnists at that time were blasting the "regional-centered foreign policy" and writing that the policy of rapprochement with Turkey's neighbours would bring nothing but trouble. (Sedat Sertoglu, Sabah, 2 July 1997; Sami Kohen, Milliyet, 2 July 1997)

Yet, by virtue of the agreement he made with the US Secretary of State, Ismail Cem is obliged to act together with the United States in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The fact that this personal agreement is in violation of the Government program gives additional food for thought and cannot be associated with the duties and responsibilities of a foreign minister.

Mission to Axe Relations With Our Neighbours

Mr President,

This personal agreement was disclosed in State television just as the United States was about to intervene in Iraq in order to set up a puppet state there. As is known, Turkey considers the establishment of a puppet state in northern Iraq as "casus belli" and this fact has been announced to public institutions by a Prime Ministry circular. Furthermore, both the Chief of the General Staff and his Second in Command have announced on many occasions in the strongest terms that they "will never allow" the establishment of a puppet state in northern Iraq. Again, the Chief of the General Staff has expressed clearly that by virtue of its actions the United States poses a "threat in our region" and that all countries in the region, including Russia, are opposed to such an intervention. Finally, just prior to US Secretary of State Powell's visit to Turkey, you also clearly stressed that Turkey "was opposed to any intervention in Iraq" and this showed the unity of opinion at the very top of the State.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the other hand is doing things that fulfil his obligation to "act together with the United States in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus" despite policies decided upon by the State. As can be understood from Cem's earlier speeches on Georgia and his irresponsible remarks targeting our neighbour Iraq, these practices are aimed at putting distance between Turkey and its neighbours Iraq, Iran and Russia and at binding Turkey to US policies.

It is impossible not to see a connection between Ismail Cem's activities aimed at axing relations with our neighbours and the personal agreement he made with the US Secretary of State. By declaring this agreement, Ismail Cem is effectively disclosing this connection.

Ismail Cem's efforts during the process to formulate the EU Accession Partnership Document in the spring and summer of 2000 are no different. Cem helped get Turkey to cave in to the impositions made by EU Turkey Representative Karen Fogg and by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunther Verheugen and accept the so-called "road map" -- a document of ethnic partition. He has always been seen at the fore in the application of the defeatist mentality that announced, "Diyarbakir is the doorway to Europe". Ismail Cem also supported the "Allah's International Peace" meeting, which declared the Fener Rum Patriarch to be "ecumenical", held in Brussels over 19-20 December 2001. This has the characteristic of supporting activities aimed at our country's territorial integrity.

International centers that constitute a threat for Turkey frequently mention the close relations they have with Ismail Cem. In fact, Albight's messages of condolence to Ismail Cem when he failed to get elected President of Turkey were unashamedly reflected in the press. When Ismail Cem was invited to Davos along with Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Dervis, this showed once again how the powers who claim to dominate the world regard the Foreign Minister.

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has become a national security problem, because of the policies he is pursuing not only in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus but also over Cyprus and the Aegean.

Ismail Cem Cannot Occupy the Foreign Ministry

Mr President,

Has the Foreign Minister submitted the non-written and non-signed "agreement" he made with the US Secretary of State to the Presidency or the organs of the Government and the National Security Council for their information?

Has this "agreement" been recorded?

Is the Ismail Cem-Albrght agreement legally sound? Is it binding on the Turkish State?

What are the political, legal and criminal liabilities of Ismail Cem's actions, which incite Turkey's neighbours to act with hostility against Turkey and which are aimed at axing relations with these countries?

I humbly ask you to consider initiating the necessary legal procedures to have these actions investigated.

Under circumstances where United States intervention in Iraq has become a burning issue, I humbly ask you to consider what problems Ismail Cem's occupancy of the Foreign Ministry, having made a private, unwritten and unsigned agreement with the US Secretary of State, might lead to vis-a-vis Turkey's independence, sovereignty, unity and security".

[02] The occupation regime prevents Turkish Cypriot scientists from going to seminar in the free areas

The seminar is to take place at Lordos Beach Hotel in Larnaca between 8 and 10 February. This is the 6th international symposium organized by the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and according to YENIDUZEN 35 scientists are expected to participate in it. Greek Cypriot businessman Mr Dinos Lordos, who is one of organizers of the seminar, has invited the Turkish Cypriots months ago, notes the paper, concluding by adding "thank you Mr Lordos but we cannot come".

[03] Former commander of the Turkish Naval Forces on EU - Cyprus - Turkey relations

Talking yesterday at a meeting of the Chamber of Naval Commerce on "The Turkish Maritime and Cyprus", Mr Dervishoglu noted that in the military field the island could be a base for the air and naval forces. He also added that Cyprus is close to the raw material sources, it has a rich sea bottom and seems important from the point of view of its prestige in the Middle East.

Furthermore, Mr Dervishoglu claimed that Turkey has won some rights on Cyprus and added that the island is not a place, which could be left completely under the control of Greece, the EU or any other state. He alleged that Cyprus could become a full member of the EU as a whole only when Turkey will become too a member of the Union.

The retired admiral said also that the EU could exert pressure on Turkey on the Cyprus issue, that the accession to the EU is "Turkey's soft belly" and that it would be very wrong for Turkey to make compromises in Cyprus thinking that Cyprus will constitute an obstacle on her way for becoming an EU member.

[04] A football team of the so-called "police" to participate in a tournament in Dresden

According to KIBRIS the same team participated for the first time in international games in the Footsal Tournament of the Police of the European Countries, which took place between 20 and 22 November 2001 in Belgium. Teams from Germany, Belgium, Ukraine, the Check Republic, Bulgaria and Holland had participated in the same tournament.

As a result of the participation in Belgium the Turkish Cypriot team has been invited to participate in tournaments, which are planned to take place in Germany, Italy, Poland and Austria. After the visit to Germany the team of the so-called police will go to Italy, concludes KIBRIS.

[05] EU official met with Talat and Angolemli in the occupied areas

Mr Leigh discussed with the leader of RTP Mr Talat and the leader of CLP Mr Angolemli the ongoing face-to-face talks between President Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Denktas. They also exchanged views on the issue of Cyprus' accession to the EU.

In statements Mr Leigh said that it is very satisfactory that the talks between the leaders of the two communities are continuing. Mr Leigh added that he is in the island as a representative of EU, in order to support the face-to-face talks and that he expects that the result of the face-to-face talks will be a success.

Stressing that the interference of the EU into the face-to-face talks between the two leaders is not a subject to be discussed, Mr Leigh said: "This concerns them. The negotiations are binding on them, we support the UN effort."

According to the statement issued yesterday by the Press Bureau of RTP, the recent developments on Cyprus and the relations with the EU in the light of these developments were discussed during the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Talat expressed the need for the Turkish Cypriot side to urgently participate in the accession process to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from facing problems in getting prepared for the EU, because of the time limit for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Citing dangers in admitting the "Greek Cypriot' side" into the EU, Talat said that the way to prevent this is to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem and enable Cyprus to join the EU as a whole. The reference made to the "TRNC" for the first time by the EU Commission a few days ago in a statement on the enlargement process shows that the matter is seriously on the agenda of the EU, said Mr Talat.

Pointing out that rather than waiting for a solution in a relaxed manner, it would be more appropriate for the EU to support confidence-building measures, Talat added that in addition to the several projects to be implemented in this regard, new ones can also be initiated. In the first phase, Talat ended, an information centre can be opened in the occupied areas.

The leader of CLP Mr Huseyin Angolemli expressed similar views with Mr Talat and also supported the opening of an information centre for the EU issues in the occupied areas.

[06] A Cultural Festival in occupied Morphou with international participation

The Chairman of GUSAD Kemal Durust said that they will hold a press conference on 12 February for briefing on the details of the festival.

KV/SK

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