Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-02-18

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas : Let us set up one Cyprus based on two States and then we can all join the EU

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister considers the Cyprus problem delicate because the Greek Cypriots may seek to return to their homes and that it will be easier if the EU and other countries do not interfere

[03] The Turkish Minister of Defence denies linkage between the Cyprus problem and IMF loans to Turkey

[04] Campaign for the pseudostate in Moscow by tourism agents from Gaziantep

[05] A management centre was opened in occupied Nicosia

[06] The Turkish Cypriot Leader accuses EU Commissioner of harbouring animosity against the Turks

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Turkish Sports Betting Mafia launders money in the pseudostate

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist rejects the Turkish allegations regarding the existence of two nations and two states in Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas : Let us set up one Cyprus based on two States and then we can all join the EU

Upon a reporter reminding him the statement of George Vasiliou, the head of Cyprus delegation which is negotiating with the EU, to the effect that the EU will accept Cyprus under all circumstances, Denktas said: "The Turkish Cypriot side is not the side which blocks the way to the EU. In the event that the EU will commit this mistake, it may be faced with a situation, which will be upsetting both for the region and the EU."

Explaining that the EU should be patient if it wants to admit one Cyprus as member, Denktas said: "Let them be patient if they want one Cyprus as a member. Let us set up one Cyprus based on two states and then we can all join the EU."

Assessing Foreign Minister George Papandreou's statement that Cyprus will either bring Turkey and Greece together or divide them completely, Denktas recalled that Turkey views the Cyprus issue as a separate issue. Pointing out that Turkey seeks to improve its relations with Greece by setting aside the Cyprus issue, Denktas said: "Turkey does not want to fight with Greece because of the Cyprus issue. This approach is the best one. If Greece also acts in the same way, the Greek Cypriots will also feel relieved."

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister considers the Cyprus problem delicate because the Greek Cypriots may seek to return to their homes and that it will be easier if the EU and other countries do not interfere

In reply to a question on whether he is satisfied with the dialogue launched with Greece on the Aegean issue, Ecevit says that he has said for years that the issues with Greece can be resolved only through dialogue. Alleging that Prime Minister Simitis was always against a dialogue to resolve the issues, Ecevit adds that the concept of dialogue is largely being accepted even though there are those against it. Recounting the "positive friendship atmosphere" between Foreign Minister Cem and his Greek counterpart Papandreou, Ecevit says that this dialogue should be pursued silently. It goes without saying that when a certain stage is reached, the public should be informed."

In reply to a question on whether a negative atmosphere on the Aegean issue can affect the Cyprus talks, Ecevit says: "I do not think that it can have a direct influence. In my opinion, resolving the Cyprus issue is much more difficult than the Aegean issue if certain conditions are not met." Explaining the difficulties in resolving the Cyprus issue because of the two separate "nations" on the island, Ecevit adds that this reality should be accepted for a solution. Ecevit then remarks that it will be "almost impossible" to secure a solution if the EU accepts the whole of Cyprus as a member before the issue is resolved. In reply to a question on whether he told this to Verheugen, Ecevit says: "Unfortunately we did not delve into this issue. I meant to raise this issue at the end of the meeting, however, the time was up." Noting the importance of the dialogue between Denktas and Clerides in settling the Cyprus issue, Ecevit says that this dialogue can contribute to establishing a favorable atmosphere between the two communities. Ecevit then explains that the Cyprus issue is very delicate because the Greek Cypriots may seek to return to the villages in the north, adding that it will be easier to resolve if the EU and other countries do not interfere. "We decided at a meeting that we must explain this issue better to the world and to the EU ," adds Ecevit.

In reply to a question on his health and the way he has lost and gained weight, Ecevit says: "I am having regular health check-ups. I had one some time ago and there were no problems. It seems there are some circles who would like it if I have a health problem. I am working intensively and there are times when the work process is demoralizing. It is possible that such periods are reflected on my face. Lately, however, my health is good probably because the situation is also better."

[03] The Turkish Minister of Defence denies linkage between the Cyprus problem and IMF loans to Turkey

``The news that appeared in newspapers is true,`` Cakmakoglu said.``Corruption exists unfortunately in all fields. The National Security Ministry which meets the needs of the Armed Forces plays an important role in the tenders. Unfortunately, military people get also involved in corruption, although rare. The General Staff and force commanders are now trying to send these individuals to court. This is all I can tell you at the moment.``

About the Turkish soldiers who are going to Afghanistan,Cakmakoglu said: ``The reason why they were not sent until now is because accommodation and equipment were not ready and these took time.``

Commenting on a possible military operation against Iraq, Cakmakoglu said Turkey`s policy on this matter had been announced by Turkish authorities.

``Our prime minister also expressed Turkey`s concerns. During his visit to the United States, he was told that Turkey would be consulted if the United States starts an operation against this country. We suffered a loss of 35 billion USD because our trade stopped with southern countries including Kuwait and Iraq, therefore we don`t desire such an operation,`` he said.

Cakmakoglu said that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, in his letter to Iraqi le ader Saddam Hussein, warned our neighbour Iraq. ``In any case, we`ll follow a policy to protect Turkey`s interests and people should know that,`` he said.

When asked to comment on the possibility of establishing a Kurdish state by Mesoud Barzani, Cakmakoglu said the Turkish Republic was ``hundred percent against such a formation.``

``Kurds are not the only people who live in Northern Iraq. Our Turkoman kinsmen also live there. We support Iraq`s territorial integrity and sovereignty,`` he stressed.

About the Cyprus conflict and its linkage with the IMF loans, Cakmakoglu said: ``We cannot sell our national interests. We won`t change our stand on Cyprus for a few cents.``

[04] Campaign for the pseudostate in Moscow by tourism agents from Gaziantep

Mr Aytekin told KIBRIS that they are preparing a catalogue with the hotels in the occupied areas of Cyprus. This catalogue will be in both Turkish and English languages. According to the Turkish travel agent, they plan to distribute the catalogue at their stand in the Fair.

[05] A management centre was opened in occupied Nicosia

Munir Altuer, chairman of TCAA, speaking at the opening ceremony said that the idea came up during one of the Fulbright Commission seminars organized in Pittsburgh University.

Furthermore, addressing the ceremony, Josyane Chapalier, representative of UNDP, expressed his satisfaction for being in Cyprus and said that with their activities the administration centres help various sectors of the economy.

According to the paper, the aim of the centre, which is a non-profit organization, is to educate the administrators or those who are candidates to become administrators in the private or public sector, to organize seminars, conferences, workshops, researches etc.

[06] The Turkish Cypriot Leader accuses EU Commissioner of harbouring animosity against the Turks

Denktas claimed that Verheugen's statements made in anger were harming the process. "I am unable to understand whether Verheugen is an enemy of Turkey' ', Denkatas claimed. Accusing Verheugen of harbouring animosity against the Turks, Denktas claimed that at a time when the negotiation process reached to the bargaining stage, by making such statements Verheugen was encouraging the Greek Cypriots and thus he is harming the process.

Denktas further said that if the Greek Cypriots act with the thought ''why should we make concessions to the Turks since we will become EU members", then there will be no result from the talks.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Turkish Sports Betting Mafia launders money in the pseudostate

"I have three conclusions about why the Mafia uses sports and athletes. First, the Mafia makes money from sports. Second, by using sports clubs and athletes it legitimizes itself and its operatives. It uses gambling and betting mechanisms to launder the money on its hands. It earns money from them. Third, by controlling the infrastructure organizations of sports clubs and the young people who run sports organizations it builds up its own militant cadres. These cadres are in charge of arousing and egging on spectators in stadiums. Mafia people are always in the administrative cadres of sports clubs. They are also responsible for hooliganism and the anarchy of swearwords in stadiums. Undesirable administrators and players are eliminated through these militant cadres.

The Mafia makes money by booking bets over the Internet. Based on these bets games are fixed from inside to generate more money. Gambling and betting are banned in Turkey but betting games run by the National Lottery Administration are legal.

Internet Betting

When one casually browses the Internet one finds sites such as www.willhill.com <http://www.willhill.com/> ,www.intertops.com,www.easybet.com,www.superbahis.com,www.bahis.com,www.easy bahis.com,www.turkbetonline.com,www.bahsegir.com,and www.megatoto.com.

Joining these sites as members is as easy as obtaining an e-mail address. You provide your name, address, and other personal information, plus your credit card number. If you win the money is deposited to your credit card account. For example, the main page of superbahis.com says that it is "state licensed and legal." The operators of bahis.com have a "Santo Domingo Carribean" license. The Website of easybahis.com contains no information about who is running it. Bahsegir.com is a subsidiary of Beteurope, a firm that has been running a mutual betting business out of Luxembourg since 1981. Megatoto.com is a subsidiary of the Lloyds of London, a large insurance firm based in London. Turkbetonline.com is affiliated with BAS Communications. This firm was established in 1994, is registered in the island of Jersey, and operates out of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC]". It is estimated that these lines generate revenues of nearly DM 100 million per month for the Turkish Mafia.

They advertise on other Internet sites. For example whenever you enter any Website to read your e-mail you may encounter their advertisements.

There are two ways to play. In the first method some money is deposited in an account number they provide. In the second method the player provides his or her credit card number. The operators of the sites can then draw money from the credit card account depending on the bets the player makes.

On these sites the bets must be placed in dollars. The minimum bet varies between $1 and $10. There is no maximum.

Because all transactions are conducted via the Internet and because the operators provide no street address, players have no chance of reaching the operators in the event of disputes.

How Citizen Ali Was Defrauded

These sites allow bets not just on games involving Turkey's major [soccer] teams but also teams that play in the Third League.

One person who has placed bets at these sites contacted me. What A.T. told me is very interesting: "These Internet sites do not have any [street] addresses. Even when you win they pay you only if your winnings are small. If you make a large sum of money they do not pay you. You try to reach them by e-mail but they do not respond. I won $6,000 but I was forced to forget about it. They did not pay me. Of course what I lost is gone also. I tried to find out where they are located in London. Their address turned out to be a train station."

There are also those who bet by phone. The system works the same way. You call toll-free numbers; some of them have Turkish operators who take your bet. Sites that receive bets by phone also accept credit cards or deposits by bank wire. Some of the account numbers given are in Turkish banks, others are in "TRNC" banks.

Betting Via Germany

In Germany bets can be placed on a wide range of sports events from dog races to ice hockey games. Some of soccer games in Turkey are included in these betting forms.

On a typical betting form there are nearly 90 soccer teams. This number may go up or down depending on the day. The teams are selected from leagues in various countries ranging from Brazil to New Zealand, and from African to Asian countries. They also include Turkish teams. Nearly every betting form has at least two Turkish teams. This number changes from time to time. For example on Sundays virtually all Second League games [in Turkey] can be found on the form. [The odds] change depending on the strength of the teams, the league standings, and their pairings with potentially surprising teams. Each team in every game is assigned a monetary value [sentence as published].

A private firm called Gold Essel has been in this business in Germany since 1940. The game-fixing gang makes money by paying off referees based on their information from these bets. Alternately they make their own bets and try to make money by fixing the game results."

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist rejects the Turkish allegations regarding the existence of two nations and two states in Cyprus

"Mr Ecevit has repeated it once more. 'There are two states, two nations in Cyprus', he said. Of course the issue of 'two states, two nations' is often repeated by Mr Denktas too on the TV screen. I wonder is this so? And according to which (facts) this is or is not so?

Firstly, let us have a look at the agreements, which established the Republic of Cyprus. Why? Does the Turkish side, that is Mr Denktas and the officials in Turkey who are his supporters, accept as valid the agreements with which the Republic of Cyprus was established? Sometimes they do. When? When this suits them. Furthermore, they comment on them in the way it suits them.

Fro example: 1. They continuously support the validity of the Treaty of Guarantee. 2. They say: 'The Republic of Cyprus cannot be member of organizations to which Turkey and Greece are not members. For this reason, the Republic of Cyprus cannot become member of the European Union'.

Note: Actually, this allegation is not correct. In these columns we have many times given the basic article regarding this issue. Those who like to have a look at this could look at the 8th Article of the agreement signed in Zurich and in London under the title /The Basic Structure of the Republic of Cyprus/.

However, let us accept for a moment that this claim is right and look at the allegation of Mr Ecevit and Mr Denktas regarding the existence of 'two nations and two states'. Do Mr Ecevit and Mr Denktas say that 'The Republic of Cyprus cannot become a member of the EU because the Republic of Turkey is not a member?' They do. Very well, do they not also say that because the Treaty of Guarantee, which is a part of the Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus is valid, the existence of Turkey's Armed Forces (in Cyprus) does not constitute occupation? They do. Then we have to look at the issue of 'two states and two nations' within the framework of the law created by the Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

What do the Cyprus agreements say on this issue? They say that there are two communities in Cyprus. (In the English text the word 'community' is used) It is enough to see the 10th of the basic articles for this issue. This is the article regarding the Communal Chambers.

Let us come to the two states issue. See the 22nd of the basic articles, which established the Republic of Cyprus. With this article both Enosis (union with Greece) and Taksim (division) and the two states were forbidden.

That is, the opinion expressed repeatedly during the last days by Mr Ecevit that 'there are two nations and two states in Cyprus', is an opinion contrary to the law created with the agreements under which there is the signature of the government of the Republic of Turkey.

Now let us come to the 'two nations, two states' allegation of Mr Ecevit and Mr Denktas. What is the thought when they refer to 'two nations'? It is that the Turkish and the Greek nations extend as far as Cyprus. What kind of a thought is this? This is a thought, which rejects that nations are limited within a boundary. That is, this is the thought which rejects that the Turkish nation is limited within the boundaries of Turkey and accepts that everyone who believes that he belongs to the Turkish nation is a Turk, irrespective of the place he lives. That is, this is a Pan-Turkist thought and it is of course expansionist. According to this opinion, those for example who live in Azerbaijan, in Turkmenistan and in Kazakhstan are a part of the Turkish nation. .".

EG/

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