Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-03-21

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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 man who ordered the Turkish invasion in 1974 calls on the Greek Cypriots to digest the Cyprus reality.

[02] Yilmaz: "Our aim is to start negotiations with the EU in December".

[03] The occupation regime did not allow the Turkish Cypriot Press to cross the checkpoint.

[04] Deniz Baykal predicts early elections before 2003.

[05] VOLKAN and NPM demand the closure of PUM because it said that there is occupation in the northern part of Cyprus.

[06] A so-called "development rally platform" to take place in the occupied areas.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Sener Levent talks about the military canteens describing them as "occupation canteens".

[08] Columnist of AFRIKA comments on the letter of the 41 organizations to UN Secretary-General.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The man who ordered the Turkish invasion in 1974 calls on the Greek Cypriots to digest the Cyprus reality

In reply to a question on US Vice President Mr Cheney's views on the Cyprus issue, Ecevit says: "He only listened to us. On the issue, I said that in order to find a solution that is satisfactory to both sides in Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots should digest the Cyprus reality. What is that reality? There are two separate states and peoples in Cyprus." Ecevit goes on to add that the EU should not interfere in the Cyprus issue and praises the commencement of the dialogue on the island.

In response to a question on whether a date for the commencement of the membership negotiations with the EU will be given to Turkey by the time Greece assumes the EU term presidency, Ecevit notes: "We have not received any assurances on the issue, but I am hopeful." He then goes on to praise the understanding shown by Spain toward Turkey in all fields including the issue of terrorism.

[02] Yilmaz: "Our aim is to start negotiations with the EU in December''

Yilmaz said that a wrong step taken in the Cyprus issue would create very serious problems in the Turkish- EU relations. He went on and said that on the Cyprus issue there was no definite step yet, and added: " We do tell our interlocutors in the EU that the position taken by the EU is not enough for securing these developments. If the EU wants a settlement then it should exert the same amount of pressure on both sides. We see that they have given guarantee to the Greek Cypriots and the pressure is directed towards us .In turn they tell us: `do not see it that way, we do what is necessary to the Greek Cypriots as well/. This is yet to be reflected on the South Cyprus administration's stance. It is not a must to reach a settlement, if serious progress is achieved. And if we overcome the obstacles regarding EU reforms, I think they will not give up the accession of the South Cyprus, but, they will be obliged to be more concrete regarding us".

Referring to the ongoing dialogue in Cyprus Yilmaz said that the talks and the developments were followed: "If certain results came out of the dialogue then other formulae could be on the agenda''. Yilmaz went on and said: "While admitting South Cyprus the EU can put forward parameters regarding the solution. And in its relations with us it can indicate certain advanced points. Then this could be overcome without any difficulty. Otherwise we will come face to face with a very serious crisis.

The EU will create very serious problems in our relation with the Union, in case it accepts the South Cyprus as the representative of the whole of Cyprus, if it does not provide parameters regarding a settlement and if no development is achieved in our relations with the EU. This might not lead to breaking of relations but it could create insurmountable problems. They know this already''.

[03] The occupation regime did not allow the Turkish Cypriot Press to cross the check- point

All Greek Cypriot political parties were present, while only the Republican Turkish Party, the Communal Liberation Party, the Patriotic Unity Movement and the National Revival Party from the Turkish Cypriot side attended the meeting. Speaking after the meeting the leader of Republican Turkish Party, Mehmet Ali Talat said: "The covering of the meeting between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot political parties at Ledra Palace by the Turkish Cypriot Press was left once more to the wishes of the Turkish Cypriot authorities."

He also accused certain chauvinistic persons who hold the power in the occupied areas of putting restrictions on the Turkish Cypriots and have the mentality that the Turkish Cypriots are in prison. Talat pointed out that he protests against this mentality and that this does not represent his party. Finally he called on the occupation authorities to act in a sensible manner.

[04] Deniz Baykal predicts early elections before 2003

"If you observe the government, you will get the impression that there will be no elections in Turkey, but I believe that everybody should make moves, anticipating that Turkey will go to early elections," Baykal said.

Stating that the three-way coalition has experienced many hardships this winter, Baykal said that it could not tolerate further trouble.

"I predict that after Parliament goes to summer recess, the government will call for an urgent parliamentary meeting in September to make an urgent snap poll decision," Baykal stated.

Turkey's 57th government, a coalition, was formed after the 1999 elections by the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP).

After coming to power, the government had to face a number of serious problems, including strong criticisms for not providing swift and adequate aid to the victims of the devastating August 17 earthquake. Apart from the tens of thousands of lives lost in the earthquake, Turkey's industrial land was hit hard by the strong tremor.

The government is also being held responsible for Turkey's biggest and longest economic crisis.

According to public opinion polls, it will be difficult for all of the three-way coalition partners to pass the 10 percent national threshold needed for a political party to enter Parliament.

Results of the same polls revealed that the CHP has an increased vote capacity.

According to Baykal, his party will be successful in getting the majority of votes in the event of a snap poll decision.

The CHP was not able to enter Parliament during the last election, after failing to pass the national threshold.

[05] VOLKAN and NPM demand the closure of PUM because it said that there is occupation in the northern part of Cyprus

It is noted that both VOLKAN and NPM were annoyed by PUM's statement, which informed the Turkish Cypriots that the party would participate in the so-called "municipal elections", despite the fact that "in a country where occupation exists no elections can take place and the will of the people cannot be expressed". Furthermore, in the same statement, PUM described Turkey as "an occupying power" in Cyprus.

[06] A so-called "development rally platform" to take place in the occupied areas

The platform will be under the auspices of the Turkish President, Ahmet Necdet Sezer and the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas. A 67-member delegation from Turkey will be participating in the activities of the platform. Among the participants in the delegation are Bulent Akarcali, vice president of the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the president of the Turkish Democracy Foundation, Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the chairman of the Union of Turkey's Chambers and Stock Exchange Markets (TOBB), and others.

Furthermore, it is reported that the participation of Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister, Mesut Yilmaz in the platform was cancelled because of his heavy schedule.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Sener Levent talks about the military canteens describing them as "occupation canteens"

"Ozgul Orhon is the wife of Evcet Yusuf, who has died while serving the country. He is also the mother of our friend Nilgun Orhon. Yesterday his military army card was taken from her. It was annulled. Why? This was the order of the command, they said. .Have you ever seen such resentment, hatred and revenge? The great command abandoned its duty and power and deals with such things. .They are openly saying: 'Go away from this place, there is no life for you here'. They are not leaving us space to walk in our own country .They are sending us away from here.

Why have you taken the card of Mrs Ozgul? Is it because her daughter had called you 'occupiers'? If you are occupiers then they must have no right to buy things cheap. It is obvious that you think that you are doing us a favour, by selling things cheap to the people.

What are the poor people supposed to do? ...Are you doing us a favour when you are selling these things cheaper by destroying our tradesmen? Are you doing this because you are kind and merciful? Is buying things cheap without paying taxes and after that selling them to our shopkeepers something, which demands special skills? How many Cypriot tradesmen, how many Cypriot families went bankrupt and left Cyprus because of these privileges you have? .Tell me: Are you military or tradesmen? .".

[08] Columnist of AFRIKA comments on the letter of the 41 organizations to UN Secretary-General

".The fact that the forehead of the administration of Northern Cyprus is not clear was once more proved with this incident. If it were clean, they would not lay down as a condition the approval of the letter by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and they would not prevent its handing over to the representatives of the UN. They do not want the voice of the Turkish Cypriots to be heard in the outside world, as they try to strangle them and change their identity.

No one must hear what is happening here, no one must know. We must pass away without letting anyone know our pain and our voice asking for help.

In their letter the 41 organizations raise their voice for help to the Turkish Cypriots who have reached the last point of annihilation. They are calling on the international community: 'save us!'. How? By interfering in the negotiation process between Clerides and Denktas, which gives no hope any more. Loosing our hope and waiting for help from the outside savours, is of course very sad. However, it is not more sad and painful than the pain we are suffering today. .

While Ecevit keeps shouting to the others not to interfere in the Cyprus problem, Denktas is being prepared to ask for the Americans/ help! He would meet with Weston and ask for their help, he said! Ecevit says 'do not interfere', while our man say 'interfere and do something at last!'. They are preparing a dirty trick, but let us wait and see. .".

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