Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-08-21

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mesut Yilmaz alleges that Turkey did its best on the Cyprus problem

[02] Turkish Minister of Defence : Northern Iraq was left to our safekeeping

[03] Denktas does not expect the UN Secretary - General to submit a plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem on 6 September

[04] AFRIKA publishes an article of the late Turkish Cypriot leader, Fazil Kucuk who accuses Rauf Denktas of running away in 1963

[05] Durduran calls on everybody in the occupied areas to get ready for a solution

[06] KIBRISLI sees a joint action from USA, EU, UN and Britain for the Cyprus problem

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] The real battle will be between Recep Tayip Erdogan and Deniz Baykal in the November 3 elections

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mesut Yilmaz alleges that Turkey did its best on the Cyprus problem

Yilmaz said: ``My Danish interlocutors confessed that the reforms realized in Turkey were advanced steps more than their expectations. I have stated that we have a concrete expectation from the EU in return for those steps. I said we want a starting date to be set for the membership negotiations in a way that will constitute the next step of our relations. ``

Pointing out that EU Term Presidency officials appreciated the steps taken in Turkey and expressed understanding toward the expectations, Yilmaz said he was told that there were two important stages prior to the Copenhagen Summit that would take place in December.

Yilmaz said those stages were announcement of EU Commission's Turkey Progress Report on October 16, and the discussion of the issue during the EU Summit that would take place in Brussels on October 24.

During his contacts he pointed out that the steps taken by Turkey were adequate to start full membership negotiations, and that most of the reforms were implemented, and that preparations and time were needed with respect to broadcast and education in mother tongue.

``The EU should see the political will that was revealed and should refrain from a wrong approach that will disrupt the relations, `` Yilmaz said, noting that the EU Term President Denmark understood this well, and that various contacts would continue as approval of member countries was needed.

Yilmaz further said that he would meet EU Commission President Romano Prodi and officials when he visits Brussels for the European Convention on September 11, noting that he would make similar contacts with big EU countries like Germany, France, and Britain.

Alleging that Turkey did its best on the Cyprus issue and that yet it could not solve the problem on its own, Yilmaz said the attitude and the position of the EU in this respect was also important.

He also alleged that the solution of the problem became difficult as EU membership was considered as ``a certainty`` in Southern Cyprus. Yilmaz said: ``We may reach the target in the Copenhagen Summit if we evaluate the coming period well despite some difficulties created by the election atmosphere. ``

When asked if a message was expected from the EU prior to the elections in Turkey, Yilmaz said: ``Most of the political parties support Turkey's integration with the EU. However, there is a widespread view among those who support and who don't support EU membership, that EU would not accept Turkey even if those steps are taken. It is not a message that is expected from the EU. What we expect is the correct evaluation of the step that was taken in Turkey with a broad agreement. However, this may take place by giving a date for full membership negotiations. `` Yilmaz said: ``We expect the EU to perceive correctly the steps taken, to appreciate them and do what is necessary. We expect them to respond to the steps taken by us despite all the difficulties. ``

[02] Turkish Minister of Defence: Northern Iraq was left to our safekeeping

The territory had been forcibly separated from Turkey during the Independence War, Cakmakoglu said.

"It is not a region we would sacrifice one way or the other or for aspirations of some people," he said in response to a question from a journalist while on a visit to the town of Kutahya in western Turkey. Turkey would oppose anyone who tried to benefit from the region, whatever force might be behind them.

Meanwhile on August 16, NTV had aired photos of the Bamami Airbase in Northern Iraq, which media reports, based on claims from Kurdish groups in the region, have said is under the control of the Turkish Armed Forces, showing the base in a derelict condition and that neither buildings nor runways could be utilised in their present state.

The Kurdish factions in Northern Iraq had claimed the Turkish army had fought a pitched action to displace Iraqi soldiers from the airbase and was in control of Bamami. There were also claims that American forces were restoring the airbase ahead of a possible military strike against Iraq. The first pictures of the airbase, taken from the north, show a broken and overgrown runway that is no longer paved, with a gravestone sticking out of it. Close-up shots of the runway show it to be in little better condition than a village dirt road.

Other photos show no sign of restoration work or re-building around the airbase.

[03] Denktas does not expect the UN Secretary - General to submit a plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem on 6 September

Mr Denktas claims that "every neutral person who follows the Cyprus issue can say that there are two people in Cyprus, two administrations, two geographies, two self-determinations, two democracies".

"In this case, our effort is to go towards a unification based on two territories and the title-deed of this territory to be in our pocket. That is, we do not wish to be joint owners", continues Mr Denktas, adding that before meeting with the UN Secretary - General in September he will also meet Lord David Hannay, the British Special Representative for Cyprus, Mr Thomas Weston, the Special Coordinator for Cyprus of the US State Department and Mr Alvaro de Soto, UN Secretary - General's Special Advisor for Cyprus.

Noting that the Turkish side is ready "to reply to every approach", Mr Denktas described Mr Annan as "experienced, clever and reasonable man".

Alleging that Mr Annan will not risk his prestige by submitting a plan knowing that this will not be accepted, Mr Denktas said: "He may call us to hurry up, become united and solve this issue. This is his duty. However, I do not expect a plan, a programme, because once bitten twice shy".

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side too does not want a plan to be submitted, the Turkish Cypriot leader noted that in case this happens then he will take the plan to his "people" for discussion.

"I do not want him to do this because I love the Secretary - General very much and I do not want his prestige to be shaken. If he makes a step he must make it knowing that this will have some results", said Mr Denktas, adding the following regarding the message by Turkey to the world:

"Do the Greek Cypriots accept a new partnership on the island between two sovereign, politically equal founding states? The answer given to this question is the answer of whether or not there will be an agreement. We, as Turkey, are very sensitive on this issue. The Turkish people must have a sovereign piece of land. The definition of the borders between the two sides, the solution of the properties issue by exchanging properties and giving compensations and lifting the embargoes must be ensured by accepting that the 1960 Constitution has been made invalid in 1963 by Makarios. The Greek Cypriots wanting back their properties is tantamount to an invitation to a new tragedy. .The Turks have never lived in Cyprus under the Greek Cypriot rule. If all issues reach a solution through a just dialogue, if the existence of two states, two democracies and two systems is confirmed then the problem will be solved. No one must expect the Turkish people to abandon their sovereign rights".

[04] AFRIKA publishes an article of the late Turkish Cypriot leader, Fazil Kucuk who accuses Rauf Denktas of running away in 1963

The article, which was submitted as an exhibit during the "trial" of Sener Levent and Memduh Ener, is written by Dr. Fazil Kucuk, former leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, first Vice President of the Republic of Cyprus and owner of HALKIN SESI.

According to AFRIKA, Dr Kucuk has written, inter alia, the following in his article under the title "Our answer to Denktas' nonsense":

"He does not know what kind of difficulties met HALKIN SESI between the years 1963 - 68, because the night the war broke out he took shelter in the embassy, the fifth day he gathered his belongings and settled himself in Ankara and broke ties with Cyprus. .Ankara gave him a house and he was taking 200 pounds per month from Cyprus. However, the monthly salary of the most well paid employee in Cyprus was 30 pounds. .While our villages were under fire, Mr Denktas with Vedat Celik and some other friends of his, were having fun at Gol casino and during the day they were going on the mountain for hunting. He also was spending his summers at the sea-side of Ismir. .While accusing the others of being foulmouthed, we read in his articles unheard off insults. The fact that we have exposed his acts leads him to this situation. . He thinks that he will silence us by swearing and slandering. . He has no right to play with the people's honour because he has immunity. .".

[05] Durduran calls on everybody in the occupied areas to get ready for a solution

In a written statement issued yesterday Mr Durduran noted that the wish of the 86 civilian organizations towards "solution and the accession to the EU by the end of the year is being realized". "We have to act accordingly and get ready for this", he concluded.

[06] KIBRISLI sees a joint action from USA, EU, UN and Britain for the Cyprus problem

According to the paper, the unification of the EU accession negotiations with the bi-communal talks, which are being carried out separately, will be attempted. Cyprus' accession to the EU will be suspended so as to be used as a pressure tool for the peace procedure.

The paper goes on:

"In case the Greek Cypriots sign an agreement to join the EU in December, a problem to all sides will be created by a decisive move on part of the Turkish Cypriot side to withdraw from the negotiations. In order to safeguard the continuation of the negotiations after December, the Turkish Cypriots must be involved in the procedure before Cyprus accedes to EU. The great powers, such as the USA and Britain, in order to prevent a possible crisis and to secure the continuation of the peace process, will be ready to do everything. Scenarios have begun to be produced for the prolongation of the negotiations regarding Cyprus' accession to the EU, which were expected to be completed in December and the connection of the membership issue and the talks procedures."

According to confidential sources, the paper reports, a new procedure, which will join all the separate efforts of USA, EU, Britain and the UN in a common scenario for a solution, will become concrete. In this way, we will no longer wonder whether there is a result from the negotiations or not or we will become EU members under the rule of the Greek Cypriots.

It is expected that this joint effort will produce the first fruits at the meeting on 6 September in Paris. The UN Secretary-General will submit to the sides in Paris concrete proposals for a solution, which will be supported by the USA, the EU and Britain. It is known that the characteristic of the formula in these proposals will be: "Sovereignty to the Turkish Cypriots and more territory to the Greek Cypriots".

While the Greek Cypriot side continues to defend the one sovereignty view against the demand of the Turkish Cypriots for a solution based on two sovereign states the Greek Cypriots are promoting the view that, "there is no area that belongs only to the Greek Cypriots or only to the Turkish Cypriots. There is only a Cyprus which belongs to everybody".

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] The real battle will be between Recep Tayip Erdogan and Deniz Baykal in the November 3 elections

"The traditional centre-right parties are having difficulty attracting the bulk of voters that helped them come to power in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Motherland Party (MP), set-up by the late Turgut Ozal, is facing disintegration these days, with defections and dissent.

The True Path Party (TPP) will enter the next Parliament, but will not be able to make a major impact as the major player on the political scene it was hoping to become.

According to the latest public opinion poll by Sonar, conducted between August 16-18, the TPP will get 9.87 percent of the vote, which observers say will translate to more than 10 percent on the day of the elections, on November 3.

MP is way behind, according to the poll, with only 4.63 percent of the vote, and thus will never pass the 10 percent threshold.

The New Turkey Party (NTP), which seems to be playing for a role in the very centre of the political spectrum, will only get 6.85 percent of the vote. Some observers say that this may be much less on the day of the polls.

Turkish Daily News (TDN) correspondents have interviewed many people who would normally vote for MP or the TPP and have come to the conclusion that the voters are angry and will never opt for these parties on November 3.

Under normal circumstances, the TPP, as the main opposition party, should have been winning more than 25 percent of the vote in view of the growing anger of the masses against the coalition government. But this is not the case... On the contrary, some of the TPP votes are going to the Justice and Development Party (JDP), which, according to Sonar, would win 25.15 percent of the vote if elections were held today.

It is clear that some of the TPP and MP votes will not go to the JDP, and those voters may either not go to the polls or may cast blank ballots. So the right-right votes, which are the king makers, will no longer make a serious impact. Thus the divisions and discord in the right-right seems to be more fatal for our political system, compared to the disunity among the left-left parties...

So, if the left-left parties really give a good performance by uniting under the Republican People's Party (RPP) umbrella, they really would have the potential to come to power on their own. But that too seems to be a mission impossible, despite the fact that Sonar says the RPP would get 21.05 percent of the vote. According to Sonar, the Democratic Left Party (DLP) of Bulent Ecevit will only get 1.48 percent.

The pollster also says the Nationalist Action Party (NAP) will win at least 10.13 percent of the vote and the pro-Islamic Saadet (Happiness or Contentment) Party (SP) will get 2.7 percent of the vote. Analysts caution that the SP votes may be much higher than the figures released by Sonar as SP voters tend to hide their votes...

The polls show that the real battle will be between the JDP and the RPP, provided the right-right parties cannot find a way to change the tide and forge some kind of alliance..."

EG/

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