Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-05-28

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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 Turkish Cypriot leader is examining measures against the Republican Turkish Party for its pro-EU campaign during local elections.

[02] Occupied Nicosia municipality was twinned with FYROM municipality.

[03] A church in the occupied city of Kyrenia was broken into.

[04] KIBRISLI meets Sabri and talks about his "drama".

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Statements by Mr Bulent Ecevit from hospital show the Turkish mentality vis-a-vis Cyprus.

[06] Mehmet Ali Birand reflects on the NATO-Russia Summit. He calls on Turkish politicians to work towards solving the Cyprus problem and stop trying to force Europe accept Turkey/s conditions.

[07] KIBRISLI describes "Larnaka twenty eight years later".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader is examining measures against the Republican Turkish Party for its pro-EU campaign during local elections

In a statement after the meeting, Eroglu reported that he received detailed information from Denktas with regard to the ongoing direct talks, and Denktas was, in turn, briefed about the developments in the economic field.

In his statement, Denktas commented on a subject which he described as important in terms of democracy and multiparty democracy. Denktas pointed out that in an advertisement concerning the local elections on behalf of his party, Talat demanded to stop the National Unity Party, Democratic Party, and Denktas candidates, thus basing his entire politics on portraying the local elections as a referendum for EU accession. In his advertisement, Talat is saying: "If you want to open up to Europe, vote for the RTP. Denktas noted that this is tantamount to telling lies to the people, and it is a kind of deceit.

Denktas remarked that he was horrified to see that people supported by Karen Fogg are among the RTP candidates. As indicated by their name, municipal elections are elections for municipalities, Denktas pointed out, adding: "If these are to be transformed into a referendum for EU accession and agreement with the Greek Cypriots, they should make such a decision at the `Assembly/. We will then all take part in the game, and show the entire world what the people want."

Denktas stated that changing the environment in this way under the guise of local elections is tantamount to telling lies to the people and engaging in deception. Denktas recalled that certain circles turned the protest actions of the people who experienced a tragedy because of the banking crisis into a demonstration against Turkey, and subsequently the European press started claiming that the Turkish Cypriots do not want Turkey any more, but when the truth came out these circles were obliged to bow their heads. Denktas said: "Attempting to sell oneself to the people through such false advertisements and propaganda is unbecoming of multiparty democracy. It is unbecoming of democracy. It is unbecoming of someone who boasts of being a democrat."

Denktas asked how he is connected to local elections and the candidates, adding: "Is it not a shame for the leader of a big party to try to deceive the people through such lies? This is shameful. I am asking him not to do this."

Pointing out that he will petition the "High Election Council" in order to ban the said advertisements if they continue to appear in the newspapers, Denktas said: "I have not seen it yet today. However, if this is going to be his propaganda in the newspapers and televisions, if he tries to falsely portray the municipal elections to the people as a referendum for EU accession, and especially if he shamelessly claims that the president has a candidate in the municipal elections, I will get the necessary measures adopted."

Meanwhile, Denktas welcomed Talat's remarks during his meeting with Jacques Poss on the threats to be posed by the EU's unilaterally admitting Cyprus as a member. Asked if the participation of Sait in the meeting is related to this matter, Denktas said that he asked Sait to come to the meeting to discuss the legal aspect of the matter. Denktas added: "No one has the right to get the president involved in the local elections."

Pointing out that if he supports a candidate, he will make this public, Denktas reiterated that he is not involved in the local elections. He said: "The people will elect the best municipal official. By doing this, they are adding a political nuance to the matter. They are emphasizing partisanship. They are deceiving the people by emphasizing the EU. They are trying to win the municipal elections through falsities and deceit. This is shameful, and it does not befit them."

Denktas concluded by saying that other issues were also discussed with the "chief prosecutor."

[02] Occupied Nicosia municipality was twinned with FYROM municipality

The protocol was signed in the occupied part of Nicosia by the so-called Mayor of occupied Nicosia, Semi Bora and Aracinova/s Mayor Resat Ferati.

The so-called Prime Minister of the pseudostate Dervish Eroglu, signed the protocol as honorary guest.

Speaking after the ceremony, Semi Bora said that earlier they signed three such twinning protocols with one Gagavuz and two FYROM municipalities.

In his turn the Mayor of Aracinova Resat Ferati said that with the protocol, the name of the "Nicosia municipality" and the "TRNC" will be heard more frequently in the FYROM.

[03] A church is in the occupied city of Kyrenia was broken into

"Saint Andrew's church in Kyrenia, the history of which is being used only now, has been broken into. It has been known that the church, which is at a place from where people pass to go down to the harbour and has been used by the Christians, was broken into during the weekend. According to information, which came to our newspaper, some icons, chairs and tables were stolen from the church. The inhabitants of the area were astonished at the church being plundered, as it is in the centre of the city".

[04] KIBRISLI meets Sabri and talks about his "drama"

In its front page the paper writes, inter alia, the following: "Sabri made a mistake, but those who call him traitor make an even bigger mistake. .Sabri must listen to the voice of his conscience and return. Then he will both put an end to his own drama and fulfil his duty to warn the others.".

According to the paper, in statements to Raif Ortunc football player Sabri said the following:

"I came to Southern Cyprus to play football. I have no interest in politics. My aim is Europe and playing football there. I will definitely not allow them to politicise my issue. As a matter of fact the officials of AEK do not think this. As a family we are very satisfied from the opportunities we are given here. I wish I had been given the necessary permission to come and play football in the South. Permission is given to hundreds of people to work in the South, but a football player cannot take such permission. I would lie if I say that I do not miss my friends and Northern Cyprus. However, I miss most my girlfriend. I love her very much. .".

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Statements by Mr Bulent Ecevit from hospital show the Turkish mentality vis-a-vis Cyprus

"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is preparing to leave the hospital. He will be discharged today. Where he will live after he leaves the hospital is still unclear.

Rahsan Ecevit informed us yesterday that Ecevit prefers to go home. However, she said that he will decide in accordance with his doctors' recommendations. The Ecevit family wants to go home but they will comply with the doctors' recommendation that he should rest at the Prime Ministry's official residence.

We called Ecevit yesterday. He responded to our question on his health by saying:

- I am very satisfied with my recovery. I believe I will feel much better by Tuesday. My doctors are taking care of me. They are very cautious. I feel better every day. I walked again a short while ago. My doctors have informed me that I am well enough to leave the hospital. Naturally, I will receive medical treatment for a short time after I am discharged.

The National Security Council [NSC] meeting on 30 May has priority on Ecevit's agenda. He said that he will participate in the convocation. We recalled that the NSC will discuss the Cyprus problem when it meets and asked him to assess the developments in the light of the EU approach. He asserted:

- Unless the Greek Cypriot side agrees that two separate states and two communities, the languages and religions of which are different, exist on the island, finding a solution to the problem will be very difficult. That is a reality which the Greek Cypriot side does not accept. It refuses to agree to Mr Denktas' proposals, which have been supported by many countries. It obstructs the solution of the problem. Regarding the EU approach, I find it difficult to understand why Europe is concerned with the Cyprus problem. In essence, the problem does not concern the Union. Cyprus is not related to Europe, even from a geographical point of view. The island cannot be said to be a part of Europe. Fighting and bloodshed has not taken place in Cyprus for 28 years. However, the EU seems to have placed the island on its agenda. Understanding its approach is impossible.

Prime Minister Ecevit noted that the EU decision to place Turkey and Cyprus on the same scale was wrong. He said:

- The EU placed Cyprus, which is a small island, on one of the sides of a scale and Turkey, which is an enormous country, on the other. It is trying to balance them. Can the island be compared with Turkey? Can they be balanced on the same scale? The EU must give priority to its relations with Turkey. Turkey must be much more important for the EU. Can Turkey and Cyprus be equally important for the EU in the long-run? The EU approach is wrong. The organization must be concerned with Turkey, not Cyprus.

Ecevit said that he urged Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli to take "daring steps" in connection with the removal of obstacles against broadcasts in the mother tongue and the lifting of the death penalty and noted that he welcomed the support Motherland Party Leader Mesut Yilmaz gave to his initiative. We asked whether or not Bahceli responded to his call. He said:

- No, not yet. He will be abroad for nine days. We have to wait for him. We will assess the situation when he returns. I believe that President Sezer will hold a leaders' summit on the EU after the NSC convenes. We will assess the situation after Mr Bahceli returns.

The NSC meeting, the leaders' summit that will be held by President Sezer, and the assessments to be made later will have a bearing on the way Bahceli will respond to Ecevit's and Yilmaz's call for the lifting of obstacles against broadcasts in the mother tongue and the removal of the death penalty."

[06] Mehmet Ali Birand reflects on the NATO-Russia Summit. He calls on Turkish politicians to work towards solving the Cyprus problem and stop trying to force Europe accept Turkey/s conditions

"I cannot help but regret it.

In the world many changes are taking place, such important developments are occurring. Yet we remain outside all this phenomenon to an incredible extent. Today, in Rome, a summit meeting takes place, a meeting deemed "historic" for NATO. During the meeting, important documents will be signed and Russia will become a partner for NATO on certain issues.

Could you have conceive that?

If you like, let us go back to a few days earlier and take a look at the Russian-U.S. summit in Moscow.

Russia, once a super power, United States' arch enemy, the country to halt whose development of an armament race was started at a cost of trillions of dollars, a country whom President Reagan had called "the Satanic Empire," has given an official, formal nature to its cooperation with the United States.

Rather than having a tug-of-war with Washington, Putin shook Bush's hand, patted him on the back and signed a number of agreements each more important than the preceding one.

He has reduced his long-range nuclear weapons by two-thirds. In the fight against terrorism, he has agreed to work with the United States against countries such as Iran and Iraq. He has given his approval for the United States entering the Central Asian republics and the Caucasus.

Suffering from no complexes at all...

His opponents accused him of "surrendering to America and making concessions from national sovereignty." He was quite unruffled. He was not scared. He swept away with a single gesture of his hand those who were saying that his country could become split up, or claiming that following in America's wake would be hazardous.

He acted in a realistic manner in the face of the changing world conditions. He cast aside the calculations of the past, the old concepts. Calculating that if he cooperated with America his country would profit in the long-run especially in the economic area, he signed the agreements without any hesitation. He showed that he is a man with a great vision.

He has pushed cooperation with America into the foreground. He has pulled his country to the side of the world's sole super power. He has altered the balances. He will probably be waiting for the day when he would enter into competition with America -- maybe taking place a different camp than that of America as in the past -- once he bolsters his country's economy.

In the wake of that development in Moscow, he is now going to sign an agreement with NATO in Rome. Policies will be formulated on certain issues in the framework of a council to be created with NATO.

All these developments mean that Russia is taking part increasingly in the western community. It will not content itself with expanding the political weight it carries. It may intensify its economic relations with the western world as well.

With this approach, Putin is making his country take an extremely important turn in the road. He is ensuring that, in the world balances, the cards are being shown in a different, new round. Under the worried gaze of the Europeans, Russia is finding its way into Washington's list of "priority" allies.

In the face of such dizzying developments let us now take a look at ourselves.

The arguments on the European Union are still being based on the assumption that we are faced with a separatist plot directed against our country.

We cannot rid ourselves from the suspicions of the past.

We live with "empty fears" rather than pondering how Turkey can step into a superior league, how Turkey can be bolstered economically or how Turkey's influence can be increased in all aspects.

Rather than opening up, we are trying to become more inward-oriented.

Rather than focusing on how to persuade Europe, we try to find a way of forcibly making Europe accept our own conditions.

We cannot think big.

The same goes for Cyprus.

Turkey is wasting time rather than pondering how it can put to good use the historic chance it has obtained, rather than pressing on with all its might. The disarray in Ankara gets reflected on the talks. When we could resolve the Cyprus problem and get rid of a 50-years-old futile problem, we are still acting according to the concepts of the Cold War. We still speak with slogans, losing time with an heroic-patriotic litany.

We fail to see where the world is heading.

We are increasingly becoming a "small town in the country" rather than becoming globalized. We act as if we are not aware that our long-term interests require us to enter the European Union and to get rid of the Cypriot and Aegean problems.

Due to leaders without a vision, unqualified politicians and narrow-minded staff, we are marching on the spot. Foreigners, meanwhile, start wearing different "clothes" without suffering from any complexes so as to make the best of the changing world conditions.

For this reason they are going to win while we will merely be watching the developments from where we stand. In the end, rather than engaging in self-criticism, we will blame others, consoling ourselves with words such as, "The only friend of a Turk is a Turk."

How can one not feel sad, angry and crushed?"

[07] KIBRISLI describes "Larnaka twenty eight years later"

".In twenty eight years a brand new Larnaka was created. If the Birisiks, the Izzis, the Hasan Murats and Muderrisogullari (translator's note: these are the names of some Turkish Cypriots who used to live in Larnaka before the 1974 invasion) go now to Larnaka, they will not recognise it. The houses in the Turkish neighbourhood have been preserved. The unforgettable for me Istanbul Beach, which I made a camp place for the children of the Children/s Protection Association years ago, is still there. The Turkish houses are extremely well kept and clean. It is obvious that the Greek Cypriot administration took these houses under its care. The mosques are spotlessly clean and restored. While walking around Larnaka after twenty eight years I remembered those days.

Let us come to our main issue. .Sabri and his family, especially his mother, Mrs Aygun, is very satisfied from this transfer and the economic support given to her children. In Sabri's eyes I saw the strong wish to succeed. When you look at the issue from the human point of view, you cannot but acknowledge that Sabri is right. Today there are a lot of Turkish Cypriots who work in the South in various sectors. These people are forced to go to the South due to economic problems and to earn their living. ..Permission has been given to them. However, it is really difficult to understand why Sabri was not given permission. Is playing football not a 'field of work' too? We told Sabri our fears. 'Be careful, let them not use you for political expediencies against the State (translator's note: the pseudostate in the occupied part of Cyprus). We will not approve this'.

He seemed extremely sure of himself and made an interesting note: 'Ibrahim Kutluay plays professionally basketball in Greece. If the Greeks want to use Kutluay for political expediencies will he allow it? Could he say ok to behaviours against the Republic of Turkey? Let those who have no doubt for Kutlay, have no doubt about us too'. . He answered as a Turkish child would have answered. I think that we should leave Sabri alone a little bit and wait for his successes. .".

KV/SK

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