Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-09-25

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Disgruntled deputies in action to recall the TGNA

[02] The European Court rejects Erdoğan's temporary stay application

[03] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides under U.N. auspices

[04] Gurel is in London to lobby for EU membership

[05] Turkish Minister of Interior will visit the pseudostate

[06] The occupation regime found guilty the Turkish Cypriot teachers who attended a bi-communal choir in Istanbul

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Wake up, we are losing Cyprus

[08] "We are under occupation, preparing for war on this bloodstain island."

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Disgruntled deputies in action to recall the TGNA

Although the parliament is to meet for a day on 1st October, the disgruntled deputies are seeking to have the Grand National Assembly recalled on 26 September.

The petitioning deputies believe that they will receive the support of the New Turkey Party (NTP), Motherland Party (MP), and the Prosperity Party (SP) as well as individual deputies from other parties represented in the parliament. It is believed that the deputies will attempt to have the parliament debate changes to the laws governing the activities of political parties and those regulating elections.

Even if the attempts fail to convene the parliament earlier than the scheduled 1st October, the session might result in tension and the possibility of attempts to make legislatives changes or even delay the elections, scheduled for November.

[02] The European Court rejects Erdoğan's temporary stay application

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (JDP) had applied to the ECHR to issue a temporary stay of execution against a ruling of the Turkish Court of Appeal, which overturned a decision of another court erasing the record of his conviction for inciting religious hatred from the records. The court of Appeals decision was a factor in Erdoğan's application to run as a candidate in the November 3 national election being vetoed by the Supreme Election Board on Friday.

Legal representatives for Erdoğan had lodged the application with the ECHR on behalf of their client on Friday, basing their argument on article 39 of the Human Rights Convention that covers rights directly affecting human lives.

[03] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides under U.N. auspices

In a statement to journalists before leaving for the meeting, Denktas said: "As I said before, we are not supposed to reveal even the subject of the talks, but all the Greek Cypriot papers wrote that the territorial issue will be discussed."

Reminded about Greek Cypriot press reports that a map will be submitted, Denktas responded: "Yes, that was also written in the press. If they submit a map, we will see it"

[04] Gurel is in London to lobby for EU membership

Gurel at first met with Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Donald Anderson in the British Parliament. The meeting has lasted for 45 minutes and then went to Turkey's London Embassy in order to give interviews to the Financial Times and BBC.

Answering questions in BBC's "News night" program Gurel said the legitimacy of a possible Iraq operation is important adding that full support to the U.N. Security Council is necessary for an operation.

Gurel also recalled in the interview that Turkey was the first country which warned the international community against international terrorism in 1980 and called for cooperation.

Gurel also indicated international standards should be applied to all the countries equally regarding this issue.

Gurel also answered the Financial Times' questions ranging from Turkey's EU membership, European Security and Defense Policy to Turkey-Greek relations and the Cyprus issue.

Gurel also explained the reason for his visits, to relate Turkey's last steps towards EU membership and Turkey's expectations from the EU to his counterparts.

Gurel also met with Defense Ministry Undersecretary Lord Tebitt, deputy Foreign Minister responsible for EU relations Peter Hain and finally Foreign Minister Jack Straw.

On the other hand Gurel said the result of the German elections is a positive development for Turkey-EU relations before his departure for his London visit at Esenboga Airport.

Gurel also responded to questions regarding a meeting held between Chief of Staff and Foreign Ministry officials. Gurel said they have discussed the issues which are related to both Turkish Foreign Policy and security.

Reporters also asked Gurel about the letter which will be sent by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to U.S. President George Bush. Gurel said, "Our Prime Minister's letter will be sent today or tomorrow to Mr. Bush," and added the letter will include Turkey's anxiety regarding the issue.

Gurel will head to Paris today. Meanwhile French Foreign Ministry Spokesman Francois Rivasseau said they are welcoming Gurel's French visit and added Gurel will meet with Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and discuss Turkey's membership, bilateral relations, Iraq, Middle East and Caucasus issues.

Rivasseau also said that they welcomed Turkey's EU reforms adding they are supporting this package.

Meanwhile Ankara Anatolia (24/09/02) reported from London that during a news conference about his contacts, Gurel said that he took up bilateral issues between Turkey and Britain and the regional and global issues during his contacts which were held in a positive atmosphere.

In reply to a question on Cyprus Gurel said that the Cyprus issue was also taken up in his meeting with Jack Straw. Gurel said he explained to Straw that it was wrong to accuse Rauf Denktas of having uncompromising attitude, adding that ``I also stressed that Turkey will not accept Turkish Cypriots to be considered as if they are an inexistent nation of a state which does not exist.``

After the news conference, Gurel left London for Paris, France.

[05] Turkish Minister of Interior will visit the pseudostate

Mr. Ecemis will have meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas, the so-called prime minister Dervish Eroglu and the so-called "deputy speaker" of the "pseudo-assembly", Unal Uster.

The Turkish Minister of Interior will visit the so-called Commander of the Security Forces Brigadier General Necmettin Baykul and the so-called Commander of the Turkish occupation army Lieutenant General Ahmet Ozteker.

Mr. Ecemis will depart from the pseudostate on Saturday.

[06] The occupation regime found guilty the Turkish Cypriot teachers who attended a bi-communal choir in Istanbul

ORTAM in its front page leader under the banner headlines "Oppressive regime", reports that against the Turkish Cypriot political parties, which one searching for peace and solution in Cyprus, has started a procedure with covered or open pressures in order to intimidate them and other social organizations as well as individuals.

The paper reports that the verdict is a threat for "punishment" to those who want the two communities to live side by side together in peace.

[B] CommentarIES, editorials and analysis

[07] Wake up, we are losing Cyprus

It turns out that I was wrong.

They have had talks for ten months.

The point they have reached is different, more advanced, than the spot where they stood when they first set out. However, they are still very far from a solution. It is impossible to decide who is right and who is wrong. Both communities are right -- from the standpoint of their own perspectives, the nature of the solution they each want to have.

If we went into details, we would get lost, all of us together. Here is the way I can sum up the two sides' positions and their rationale:

The Turkish side

Although recurrence of the pre-1974 incidents is only a slight possibility, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is acting in an extremely cautious manner.

The TRNC does not believe or trust the Greek Cypriots at all. Also, it fears that the Turkish Cypriot society will melt away and vanish over the years.

Acting with this rationale, it insists on the "TRNC's sovereignty" issue, continuing to stick to the "equality with the Greek Cypriots" principle.

It wants abolition of today's Republic of Cyprus and creation of a brand new Cyprus with a new constitution, a new flag etc.

That new Cyprus would be a "weak" central government and even the simplest of decisions would be taken on an "equal representation, equal vote" basis.

The powers that remain outside the limited jurisdiction of the central government would be shared between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot regions which would have "domestic sovereignty". Each side would govern itself.

In other words, that would be an unnamed confederation.

The Greek Cypriot side

The Greek Cypriot side does not want to abolish the Republic of Cyprus. Its basic position is that the current "roof" of the state should be maintained with certain changes.

Contrary to the wishes of the Turkish Cypriot side, the Greek Cypriot side envisages a central government whose powers would be rather extensive. On the other hand, it suggests that the two communities should both have complete sovereignty "internally".

The Greek Cypriot approach does not envisage "equality" for the Turkish Cypriot community. It permits the two sides to govern themselves. However, the Greek Cypriot side does insist that the Republic of Cyprus should be governed according to the "population", that there should be "single nationality" and "single sovereignty".

The Greek Cypriots have a sole aim: to get into the European Union without losing their image as the side that wants a solution. They know that if they can achieve that they will be in an advantageous position.

Both sides will lose

It is a fact that both Denktas and Clerides have made considerable concessions from their former positions. However, they are still extremely far from one another. What is even worse is that, for the time being, the international community is merely watching on.

This is where the danger comes.

If the dispute continues and the Southern part of Cyprus joins the EU, Turkey will suffer a lot from that. However, the Greek Cypriots themselves will hardly be at ease.

Let the election issue aside. Hear the alarm bells ringing in Cyprus."

[08] "We are under occupation, preparing for war on this bloodstain island."

The whole point is writing that we are under occupation. Is it necessary for trials to be set up? Let them decide. Let them open the doors and gather everyone that says that we are 'under occupation' in this land. After this we will have seen them all.

I am really curious, what are they waiting for? So many talk, so many come and go, while they could clear the occupied areas in a few hours. In case of war the baker and his family will be staked alive in the ground. They may shoot from behind those who do not agree with their opinion. How could I know? They put the Greek Cypriot prisoners in line and execute them. In that case there will be no need for Hasan's commanders. The job will be finished.

Boyaci too was put in prison. The result is on a very important base. Those who say that the depositors' misfortunes will not end here are right. There will be no end to the misfortunes of those who left their homes in 1974, leaving the eggs being fried in the frying pan. Those who want war can go and fight. Let them wear their iron helmets and throw themselves into the streets. Let them have in charge a chief Commander. Many people are interested. Let them go to Limassol and then to Pafos. In any case it is obvious that they will show the way. They will continue looting and dreaming for a bit more. Let them prepare their torture instruments. The kind of torture is up to them. The tortures are ready and have the stamp of 'Grey Wolves'. Let the blood river starts flowing again. Let that historical and bloodstained island to be further drawn in blood. Let those that die from cancer die from torture and bullets. Let the cooperator of the occupation burst out with pleasure."

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