Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-07-09

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Rauf Denktas before meeting the French Ambassador to Cyprus.

[02] Husamettin Ozkan resigns upon Ecevit's request. Developments in Turkey's internal politics after his resignation.

[03] Eroglu says that the usual procedure will be followed for Sabri's family.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Rauf Denktas before meeting the French Ambassador to Cyprus

Responding to reporters/ questions before the meeting, Denktas said: ``Those who want the continuation of the efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, could help by stressing the realities. However, if you say to one side that, `you are everything and your formation is okay. You don`t need the other side. You will enter the European Union (EU) whether or not you agree` then yielding in a result will naturally be difficult.``

When asked what kind of a statement he expected from the U.N. Security Council about Cyprus, Denktas said: "Continuation of talks and searching for a solution with determination is essential. I hope that the U.N. Security Council, which will convene on Tuesday, would not make a statement accusing one of the sides."

Stressing that there was a 40-year old case in question, Denktas said solution of the problem was not possible unless the equality and sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots are accepted.

When asked about the Greek Cypriot news reports that the Greek Cypriots agreed with Britain about the status of the bases, Denktas said: ``They don`t have the right to change the guarantorship system. The British told us that routine affairs are being discussed. However, if something different appears, naturally they will receive reaction.``

Alleging that the Greek Cypriots used the bases against Britain as an element of blackmail and pressure, Denktas said the things that would be done would not have any value.

[02] Husamettin Ozkan resigns upon Ecevit's request. Developments in Turkey's internal politics after his resignation

I have been politically active in the DLP alongside the honourable prime minister for the past 11 years. For over five years, I served as state minister and deputy prime minister. Since the day I embarked on politics, I took great care to be loyal to the party leader, to be honest, straightforward, conciliatory, tolerant, a man of dialogue, and patient. I exerted utmost efforts to safeguard the country's economic balances, political stability, and the coalition's harmony. Today, too, I conveyed to the prime minister my assessment of the economic and political situation in the country. Given that the meeting with the prime minister revealed that the honourable prime minister no longer needs my services, I am resigning from the DLP and from my post as minister. Until now, I said that I arrived with Mr Ecevit and I would leave with him. Today, I am keeping that word; moreover, I am going before him upon his request. After 11 years, I learned from the prime minister that there is no room for emotions in politics. In the future too, I will fulfill my duty for the interests of my country and people. I extend my deepest gratitude, love, and respect to all my colleagues who have supported me in my work to date.

Ankara Anatolia (08.07.02) reported that when asked if DLP would be split up, Ozkan said: ``I have never been in an effort to split up DLP.``

Responding to a question on what kind of a future was waiting for DLP, Ozkan said: ``I have given priority to dealing with the problems of the country so far. This should not have happened when the economic situation is taken into consideration.``

Ozkan said he would continue his political life as parliamentarian. When asked if a new party or a political formation was in question, Ozkan said: "The future will show."

Responding to a question on how his resignation will effect the government, Ozkan said: ``I hope it will not.``

When asked if he was hurt by Rahsan Ecevit, Ozkan refrained from responding to the question.

HURRIYET (09.07.02), reports under banner headlines that as a result of Ecevit/s refusal to resign, the government will be dissolved and the DLP will be divided. Sixteen deputies and two ministers tendered their resignation.

NTV (08.07.02) broadcast that following the resignation of Husamettin Ozkan, other resignations from the DLP [Democratic Left Party] were also announced. First, Assembly Deputy Speaker Ali Iliksoy announced his resignation from the party. This was followed by the resignations of Istanbul Deputy Bahri Sipahi and Manisa Deputy Cihan Yazar. Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay and State Minister Recep Onal submitted their resignation with a letter addressed to Prime Minister Ecevit.

TRT 2 Television (08.07.02) earlier in the day broadcast that Emrehan Halici, Democratic Left Party [DLP] whip, has said that the DLP is not considering early elections and that the DLP is not assessing Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli's remarks on elections as a call for early elections.

The activities within the DLP gained momentum after Bahceli's proposal for early elections. DLP deputy leader Rahsan Ecevit called the deputies to a meeting today. The meeting started at around 11:30 a.m. and was held under Rahsan Ecevit. Halici issued a statement after the meeting, which lasted for approximately 45 minutes. In his statement, Halici stressed that the DLP is not considering early elections and assessed Bahceli's proposal as a reaction to the scenarios being raised.

Following is Halici's statement:

"Along the lines of DLP deputies' requests, we convened a meeting at our headquarters with the participation of our deputy leader. We expressed our views on the regrettable campaigns under way. Actually, our deputies expressed their reactions to the public at various occasions. This time, however, we had the opportunity to express our views collectively. We also conducted short assessments of the issues on the agenda of Turkey. At the meeting, we had the opportunity to once again express our resolution to work hand-in-hand and in unity in order to lead our Turkey to happier and stronger futures within the framework of the democratic left culture.

As you know, our leader Mr Bulent Ecevit has already said that we are not considering early elections. We believe in holding elections on time. This is what Turkey expects as well. Both economic and political stability are needed. There are two programs under way to this end, one of them is the economic program, and the other is the national program we have to implement for the EU. It is not right to talk about early elections when we have all these on our agenda. Unfortunately, however, there are efforts to raise certain scenarios and propose certain models. This is nothing but a reaction to the various scenarios raised on our prime minister's withdrawal and a change in the government. Mr Bahceli has proposed that the way to surmount a political uncertainty is to hold elections at the parliament, which is the legitimate platform to this end. This is not a call for early elections. We assess this in this manner."

Finally NTV (08.07.02) reported from the Democratic Left Party (DLP) headquarters that the traffic is continuing at the DLP [Democratic Left Party] offices. The evening's hot developments were assessed at the headquarters. According to information, the persons who met at the headquarters established telephone contact with Rahsan Ecevit as well. The view at the headquarters is that the number of deputies who stand to resign will not reach 40, and will remain around 25-30.

Another interpretation concerns Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. The stand to be adopted by Cem is considered to be important, but it is also believed that if Cem resigns, he will not drag many DLP deputies along with him.

How will the resignations affect the government? According to the DLP leadership, the stand of MP [Motherland Party] is more important than that of the NAP [Nationalist Action Party]. In other words, there is no concern over the stand of the NAP. The DLP officials recall previous NAP statements to the effect that even if the number of seats changes, the party will remain loyal to the government protocol. In connection with the resignations, the officials are saying: The remaining right-wingers are ours. The DLP's right wing may have collapsed, but the DLP will get reorganized in line with its mission.

[03] Eroglu says that the usual procedure will be followed for Sabri's family

"The competent authorities are evaluating this issue. This family was exploited by specific persons; they went to the South but the life in the South was not as they had dreamed. For a while they were in demand, but later that changed and they were disgraced. They were used politically. After attaining their purposes they left them homeless and felt the need to return to the North. The competent authorities are investigating this issue."

Pointing out that no different procedure will be applied to this family than for other persons who acted in the same way, Eroglu said: "When the 'police' and the 'securities forces' complete the necessary investigations, a decision will be put forth for consideration. At the moment no more comments."

On the other hand the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas welcomed them back to the occupied areas and added: "No person can live away from their 'country' and their loved ones. They understood the game, they saw their mistake and they returned back. Welcome! I hope that you have given a lesson to the others and no one will be deceived by the Greek Cypriots."

Serhat Incirli, writing in his daily column "Letter" in AFRIKA (09/07/02) under the title "Sabri returned to his country! Which country?" wonders which country they are talking about.

Serhat Incirli, inter alia, writes:

"He returned. Where? He missed his country. Which is Sabri's country? Cyprus! Where will Sabri play soccer? In Cyprus. Where is Sabri playing soccer? Again in Cyprus. Are there two Cyprus? .. Cyprus is a whole. There are no two Cyprus. There is only one Cyprus. Sabri would have played soccer as a Turkish Cypriot in an official soccer team of Cyprus."

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