Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-08-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary will discuss the Cyprus Problem in Washington

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader again speaks about integration of the occupied area with Turkey

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat criticizes Mr. Denktash for planning to continue the non-solution policy

[04] Huseyin Angolemli calls on Denktash to stop opposing a solution in Cyprus and accession to the EU

[05] Reference to Cyprus by Kemal Dervis during an interview with NTV television

[06] AFRIKA comments on the reasons for which Denktas fears Cyprus' accession to the EU

[07] Fire burns 100 square kilometres of forest in occupied Karpass peninsula

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Editorial in Afrika sees no change in Denktash/s stand in the forthcoming Paris meeting with the Secretary-General

[09] Cruelty and violence encouraged

[10] Neglecting our foreign relations

[11] Commentary in Turkish Daily News views the Turkish Army/s views in the elections

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary will discuss the Cyprus Problem in Washington

Ziyal is expected to meet with Deputy Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz and Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Marc Grossman between Monday and Thursday. Turkish-American relations, Iraq and other issues will be debated during the meetings.

Turkey and the United States had discussed the Iraqi issue when Wolfowitz visited Ankara in June.

Ziyal, during his visit to the U.S. capital, will stress the Turkish government's concerns regarding Iraq and also discuss the Cyprus issue with all its aspects.

Reporting on the visit of Ugur Ziyal to Washington SABAH (25.8.02) writes that during his contacts with Paul Wolfowitch and Marc Grossman he will be accompanied by lieutenant general Rsat Turgut and one general staff officer. The paper stresses that the visit is taking place at a time when the public opinion is discussing the time of the expected operation against Iraq and that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very optimistic about Ziyal' s Washington visit, because he is regarded to be one of the most clever and energetic diplomats of the Ministry and known for being a tough bargainer.

SABAH publishes a list of seven requests, which Mr Ziyal will submit to Washington. The above - mentioned requests are the following:

1. Every method must be tried for the solution of the Iraqi problem before resorting to a military operation.

2. Turkey is against the establishment of a Kurdish State in Northern Iraq. The Kurdish groups, which have expressed this wish, must be warned. The regions of Kerkuk and Musul and the future of the Turkomans who live there, have vital importance for Turkey.

3. The Greek Cypriots are delaying the solution waiting the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU. Therefore Turkey wants the USA to intensify their diplomatic efforts.

4. The establishment of high quality industrial regions as soon as possible, in such a way that intensive labour sectors are included in them as well.

5. To write off the five billion dollar credits.

6. To speed up the process for selling to Turkey the AWACS aircrafts.

7. The region of duty of ISAF not to be extended outside Kabul.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader again speaks about integration of the occupied area with Turkey

Pointing that there are certain individuals on the island who are speaking about being flexible with regards to fundamental rights in a bid to reach an agreement and accession to the EU, Denktash said that the side that gives priority to the EU is the Greek Cypriot which wants to secure the return of the Greek Cypriots in line with the EU laws and to once again reduce the Turkish Cypriots to the status of refugees. Explaining that this is what he is trying to prevent at the negotiating table, Denktash said that an organization, which claims to represent some 80,000 people in the country, is ready to sacrifice many rights to ensure that the Turkish Cypriots accede to the EU and is trying to create the impression that the accession of Cyprus to the EU will be disastrous for the Turkish Cypriots. Stressing that if the Greek Cypriots accede to the EU, then the Turkish Cypriots will, in the same manner, unite with Turkey, Denktash continued: "Whatever the Greek Cypriots will do with the EU, in whatever manner they unite with the EU, we will do the same with Turkey. Let the entire world be aware of this fact. No one can deter us from this path."

Denktash called on the EU to once again dwell on this issue, saying: "Therefore, let the EU reconsider. Does it want to be entangled in the problem of a divided Cyprus? Does it want to confront Turkey in Cyprus? Does it want to be a party to the Greek Cypriots plots? If the reply is yes, then let the EU come and decide on the accession of the Greek Cypriots. The EU cannot make us join."

Stressing that the priority of the Turkish Cypriots is to reach a conciliation based on a sovereign foundation, Denktash said: "They are the ones who will lose. We will integrate with Turkey just as they will integrate with the EU. Noting that there are attempts to create the impression that the problem of unemployment will be resolved once the country accedes to the EU, Denktas referred to the unemployment in EU member countries stressing that unemployment can be solved through investments. Denktash continued: "These people, who have been suffering for 11 years, will put up with these difficulties under our own flags, in our owns territories, with Turkey on our side and will again be victorious in the best possible manner."

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat criticizes Mr. Denktash for planning to continue the non-solution policy

In a written statement he issued today, Talat assessed the recent statement made by Rauf Denktas declaring that if necessary north Cyprus will be integrated with Turkey. Talat charged that the reason why Denktas is against the EU and is so defiant while a majority of the people of the occupied areas favor a solution and accession to the EU is because Denktash is totally detached from the people. Talat continued: "It is unacceptable that the /president` is continuing his intransigence and opening the path of the Greek Cypriots with regard to a solution in which the EU process of Cyprus and Turkey are subject to a timetable." Explaining that the Turkish Cypriots have suffered a lot, Talat said that the international community is faced with a situation where it has to contribute more to the solution of the problem because of the policies being pursued.

Noting that there is a high probability that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will submit a proposal to the sides at the meeting to be held in Paris on 6 September, Talat added: "Denktas said that, given such a situation, he will first consult with his people and then he will resort to the Assembly. The /president`, who is far from representing his people, is planning to continue this non-solution by taking refuge in the Assembly the majority of which is under his control." Stressing that Denktas is detaching himself from his people through such an approach, Talat called on Denktash to contribute to a solution.

[04] Huseyin Angolemli calls on Denktash to stop opposing a solution in Cyprus and accession to the EU

CLP leader Huseyin Angolemli issued a written statement today recalling that the talks aimed at solving the Cyprus problem are continuing between the two leaders. He noted that in this process Rauf Denktash is continuing his statements opposed to a solution and the EU, adding that he is making the Turkish Cypriots seem as the side that is not interested in peace.

"Despite all warnings Denktash is exerting efforts to ensure that the Greek Cypriots accede to the EU unilaterally. It is impossible for Denktash not to realize the disasters that will befall the Turkish Cypriots in the event the Greek Cypriots accede to the EU unilaterally", Angolemli said. Recalling Denktash' statement that if the Greek Cypriots accede to the EU, then the Turkish Cypriots will unite with Turkey, Angolemli said that this is tantamount to dragging both Turkey and the occupied areas towards a disaster.

Pointing out that Denktas should refrain from making such statements, Angolemli said that it is impossible to safeguard the interests of the Turkish Cypriots with theses opposed to a solution and the EU.

[05] Reference to Cyprus by Kemal Dervis during an interview with NTV television

Dervis replies that he is very excited, although he notes that one does not become a politician overnight. He says: "I have entered politics because of my concerns about the economy. The current divisions in the political spectrum, which were created to a large extent in the 1990s, are the main reason for the economic problems. We need a majority government that will be capable of implementing the next phase of the economic program harmoniously. This is the main phenomenon that motivated me to enter politics."

In response to Kirca's question as to whether he had been informed of the recent wave of defections from the Democratic Left Party, (DLP), in advance, Dervis responds that he had heard absolutely nothing about their plans beforehand.

Asked by Kirca to expound on his recent appeal for the elimination of political uncertainties, Dervis says that the government started to receive encouraging signs from the economy early in May, but interest rates rose from 50 to 75 percent as a result of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's health problems and the deepening rift between the Motherland Party (MP), and the Nationalist Action Party, (NAP), about the EU harmonization bills.

Asked by Kirca whether the stand that Turkey may adopt vis-a-vis a possible US intervention in Iraq could affect Turkey's relations with the IMF, Dervis emphasizes that he never permitted and will not permit political issues to be discussed during negotiations with the IMF. He notes, however, that Turkey's policy on Iraq could have an impact, as the United States is the IMF's major shareholder. He notes: "Still, I would not discuss this issue and Cyprus with the IMF, because it should not interfere in those matters." Dervis adds that Turkey should take precautions in order to offset losses it might suffer as a result of a US attack on Iraq. He comments: "I hope that it will not happen. Iraq's territorial integrity is very important to us. On the other hand, we have a responsibility to contribute to the international fight against terrorism. If Iraq is actually posing a threat, we cannot remain indifferent, as we have also suffered from terror. We will have to maintain a delicate balance on this issue."

Regarding the Cyprus question, Dervis points out that the EU should not make the solution of this dispute a precondition for Turkey's admission as, he says, it has nothing to do with that process. He argues that the Cyprus question was created by a Greek junta, adding that the problem should be solved peacefully through mutual compromises while taking "Turkey's justified concerns about national security" into account. He believes that the Cyprus question could be solved more easily if all the other outstanding issues between Turkey and the EU related to democratic reforms, freedoms, and economy are addressed.

[06] AFRIKA comments on the reasons for which Denktas fears Cyprus' accession to the EU

AFRIKA writes, inter alia, the following on the issue:

".After being bound to the EU law, the possibility of being interrogated at the judicial organs of the EU for everything which took place in the northern part of Cyprus after 1974 scares Denktas and those who surround him. .His EU fear derives from everything that happened to Pinochet, Chile's fascist dictator. Even after many years and while he was in England, the law captured former dictator Pinochet, who had once turned the life of the people of Chile into hell. Now is the time for interrogations regarding many practices applied by Denktas after 1974 in Northern Cyprus which under the occupation of Ankara and the violations of human rights. . Many of our citizens are very anxious for filing charges against Ankara and Denktas at the European Court of Human Rights. .".

According to the paper Mr Denktash and Turkey could be interrogated for the following:

1. The fate of the missing persons

2. The plundering of land and spoils

3. For crimes the perpetrators of which remain unknown

4. Robberies of banks

5. The "espionage conspiracy" organized against Sener Levent and his friends

6. The "trial" of Panayiotis Cakurmas

7. The pillage of icons and antiquities

8. The murders of Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou during the incidents in Derynia in 1996

9. Trafficking of narcotics, money laundering, trading of women and the casinos

[07] Fire burns 100 square kilometres of forest in occupied Karpass peninsula

The fire was taken under control as a result of huge efforts exerted by the firemen, employees of the so-called "Forests Department" and the "Municipality" of Rizokarpaso.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Editorial in Afrika sees no change in Denktash/s stand in the forthcoming Paris meeting with the Secretary-General

"The Turkish Cypriots are going through a critical ordeal.

It is regrettable that those in control of the media still continue to conceal secrets and anaesthetize the people.

The train we are on progresses toward a cliff in such a way that it will not be possible for anyone to survive the accident unless we use our very last opportunity to change the course.

Such is the course.

And Rauf Denktash [Turkish Cypriot leader] still holds the controls.

September is almost here.

What has been achieved?

Nothing!

The last opportunity is the Paris rendezvous.

This is the very last station for those who have placed their hopes on the pressure of the United States and Britain.

However, the Eiffel Tower having cast its shadow on this station, it will be difficult to catch the train that will take us to a solution and to the European Union.

Would Turkey, which is preparing for elections and experiencing confusion in authority at the moment, ever effect a change in course at this station?

Who has to take a step for an agreement in Cyprus?

Is it not primarily Turkey?

Since Turkey will not be able to take such a step, how then will there be an agreement?

Or do you think that the United States and Britain will threaten the Greek Cypriots to the degree that they will accept Turkey's terms?

Having campaigned to "encourage Rauf Denktash" at the time the talks started, the North Cyprus Turkish opposition has ultimately encouraged Denktash to such an extent that he has not refrained from steering this train to the edge of the cliff.

Do not give it any regard when they say, "Denktash does not represent the Turkish Cypriots." He indeed represents.

Had this argument of the opposition been sincere, would they not have tabled a motion in the parliament demanding Denktash' removal from his position as interlocutor rather than present him with jasmine flowers when the writers were put into prison?

No matter how many have signed it, the "common vision" put forward by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce ["For a Solution and Membership in the European Union"] is not enough to save our community. Neither does it stop our community from rolling down the cliff.

The Chamber's "common vision" has been prepared just with the Turkish Cypriots in mind; it has regarded the Greek Cypriots on the island as nonexistent.

There is not a single political party, not a single organization on the Greek Cypriot side that supports it.

In that case, how and with whom will a solution be concluded?

What will be the use of a "vision" that the Greek Cypriots reject? Or could it be that everyone trusts the power and the pressure of the United States and Britain in getting this "vision" accepted by the Greek Cypriots?

It appears that the Chamber of Commerce has put together this "common vision" in order to ensure that the Turkish side is not declared by the European Union as uncompromising and the Greek Cypriots are not admitted into the European Union unilaterally prior to a solution.

The main purpose was to persuade Denktash of this, and thus avoid being declared the uncompromising party.

However, trusting himself and the forces behind him to such an extent, Denktash has turned down even this "vision" that has been rejected by the Greek Cypriots.

At a time when UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan prepares to lay before Denktash the "memorandum" he has received demanding the release of imprisoned journalists Sener Levent and Memduh Ener, how will those encouraging Denktash stop him? Could they do it by giving Denktash jasmine flowers?"

[09] Cruelty and violence encouraged

"Some 15 days have gone by since the imprisonment of Afrika newspaper writers Sener Levent and Memduh Ener. The two journalists have been deprived of their freedom.

What freedom?

As if they enjoyed more freedom outside the prison. Naturally they did not.

But at least they had the right to write in the newspaper, eat at the time they wished, go to bed and get up whenever they wanted, and participate by telephone in a panel discussion on the television.

They also had the opportunity to respond immediately to "serious charges" made against them in the news media.

They have now been deprived of all these.

Added to the slavery outside, is now the slavery inside [in prison].

In the evenings the last of the four doors is locked up, and they go to sleep compulsorily. In the ward for five, anyone feeling the need to go to the toilet has to take care of his need inside the ward.

If he has to urinate, he can use a bottle. Having to do something worse is also possible.

This is a prison.

Inmates are subject to the rules applied for convicts!

The "regime" that has had the audacity to give our writers the heaviest prison sentence in the history of the press, regrettably appears to have got off the hook easily within the country while committing this crime.

Those who feared that the reaction would be very strong and who avoided action have taken a deep breath having seen the lack of reaction internally. They have undoubtedly got more encouragement to proceed with their crimes.

The criticism of the prison sentence did not go beyond criticism in statements issued. The campaign for signatures and the "parole" bill tabled in the parliament were moves that could not be underestimated, but these did not constitute the kind of reaction that would scare the regime.

The issue has been put to sleep in the press. Had it not been for "Afrika", how would anyone get to know that two journalists were in prison?

As for the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and its associations that have undertaken the mission to lead our community to the European Union, they have waited for 15 days to elapse in order to issue a statement.

How shall we be led to the European Union by those who display "caution" in reacting to such a "crime against legality," and who are devoid of the ability to defend human rights in their own community?

The leaders of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) have provided this "regime" with the greatest "premium" in its effort to further its cruelty. Those not refraining from making ugly charges, more than Rauf Denktas, against our writers have almost lent encouragement to "cruelty and violence." After doing so, they have come up with a bouquet of roses.

No word has been heard from Turkey, which is used to the imprisonment of its journalists. The Turkish press did not consider the six-month prison sentence to be even news-worthy. What does six months prison sentence mean in a country where a blind intellectual, such as Esber Yagmurdereli, is condemned to prison for 17 years?

We are thankful to our friends in south Cyprus. Had it not been for them, no one in the world would have got to know about the imprisonment of Sener Levent and Memduh Ener. We owe our thanks to President of the Cyprus Journalists Association Andreas Kannaouros in particular, and all other people who have initiated a campaign of freedom for our writers."

[10] Neglecting our foreign relations

Today we see several problems mushrooming before your eyes...

Look at the latest debate over Northern Iraq, the tensions between Turkey and the Barzani administration...

Look at the debate over a possible American military intervention against Iraq.

Look at the reluctance of the European Union to furnish the government with a date for accession talks...

Look at the Cyprus issue where the euphoria about the fact that the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders are talking is turning into a major fiasco.

The statements of presidential spokesman Tacan Ilden shows the presidency is aware of the problems and is putting its stamp on foreign policy issues. But we feel even if this is an elections government we need to be more attentive to such issues.

The presidency feels the EU should not hide behind alibis like "yes, you have legislated some major reforms but we cannot give you a timetable for accession talks before we see the application of these measures." The presidency says other EU candidates have been allowed to start accession talks even tough they only legislated such reforms but did not implement them.

Sources tell us the EU was either caught off balance thinking that "these Turks will never be able to legislate such reforms" and thus were unprepared for a decent response or there is a lack of will to really talk to Turkey on full membership.

The presidency is reflecting the views of the ordinary Turks...

Besides this the presidency has issued a warning to the Iraqi Kurdish parties that while they owe their security in Northern Iraq to Turkey they should not antagonize Ankara.

Besides all this the presidency has also set the record straight in view of the statements of the defense minister who gave the impression that Ankara may have territorial claims in Iraq. The presidency stressed Turkey has not changed its policy of supporting the territorial integrity of Iraq.

All these are very appropriate steps by the presidency. However, we feel Turkey has to show its diplomatic muscle to tackle these issues and provide some initiatives and solid foreign policy positions.

President George W. Bush has already presented a report to the U.S. Congress saying he is dissatisfied with the lack of progress at the Cyprus talks which signals the approach of a new foreign policy hurricane as Turkey comes under pressure for real progress.

So this issue also needs serious attention and contingency plans.

We have to stop this meaningless friction with Barzani, end the speculations about Iraq's territorial integrity, tell the U.S. what we want in Cyprus and in Iraq and tell the EU bluntly our real expectations and the consequences...

We feel the elections government has to put a bit more emphasis on foreign policy and try to undertake crisis management in several fronts."

[11] Commentary in Turkish Daily News views the Turkish Army/s views in the elections

"Will there be elections?

This debate has long been on the agenda of Turkey. However, the Turkish media has been aware of this debate for the past couple of days and brought it to the TV screens and newspaper headlines.

However, certain signs, which are required to put an end to this debate, have started to surface. For instance, we should evaluate Kemal Dervis's joining the Republican People's Party (RPP) in this context. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's belief that certain problems that Turkey is facing at present may be solved in a coolheaded way with the nation's common sense through early elections should also be assessed within this context.

Happiness over parliamentary decision to hold early elections and the belief that the elections will overcome certain political uncertainties are general feelings of the heads of the state.

However, we should carefully watch the responses of dissident deputies and the efforts of parties that will stay below the 10 percent national election threshold that would emerge in September.

As one can remember, the postponement of the elections came to the agenda with the efforts of the dissident deputies at the last elections but the last-minute statement of the Chief of General Staff that read, "Elections should be held," totally changed the picture.

We'd better watch the election alliance efforts of the parties, which believe that they will stay below the threshold, in this framework. If these parties believe that they will remove their threshold problems through making various alliances, then no obstacle will be left ahead of the elections. On the contrary, these parties will act in line with these dissident deputies.

We need a couple of more days in order to see the clear outcome of these formations because there are various rumors in Ankara. It is rumored that there was a period of waiting at Cankaya Palace regarding the appointment of the chief of General Staff. According to the gossip, the President sought signals whether the new chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok would practice a process similar to that of February 28 in case Justice and Development Party (JDP) comes to power. Views on the postponement of elections were questioned. Various circles and countries joined the loop. Finally, it was decided that such an event would only take place in case the regime was put under risk and President Sezer then signed the decree which appointed Ozkok as the new chief of General Staff.

All these are rumors but there is a significant point: The new staff of the Armed Forces will be on duty as of September 1. Statements and attitudes will become clear at that date.

We can only say that some circles, which perceived JDP's rising as a threat to the regime to date, have a more moderate tendency at present.

They at least think that RPP's star is also rising against JDP. This relief can also be perceived as an assurance for the elections, too. However, we should wait for a while in order to make an assessment. "

KV/MP

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