Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-10-10

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas to remain in New York for two weeks and in Istanbul or Ankara for two more weeks.

[02] Sukru Sina Gurel: The unilateral accession of Cyprus will finalize the division on the island.

[03] The Turkish Foreign Ministry assesses the EU Commission Report on the progress of the candidate countries.

[04] Mesut Yilmaz assesses the EU Commisison Report.

[05] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press have seen the proposals on the enlargement report announced by the EU Commission.

[06] History books in the pseudostate assert that EU is of no benefit.

[07] Turkey/s EU membership process stamps election manifestos.

[08] Journalist Ezgi sentenced to 20 months. [0B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] "A European under occupation".

[10] Why has the EU Commisison not given a date?

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas to remain in New York for two weeks and in Istanbul or Ankara for two more weeks

Serdar Denktas announced that Rauf Denktas will remain in New York under the supervision of Dr. Mehmet Oz who performed the surgery.

Serdar Denktas expressed the hope that the Turkish Cypriot leader will regain his old performance and return to his duties at the end of a month. Serdar Denktas thanked everyone who called and sent messages to his father both from Turkey and from the occupied areas. He said: "They raised our morale. The convalescence will last four to six weeks. He will remain in New York for 15 days, after which he will stay in Istanbul or Ankara for another 15 days, under doctors' supervision".

Reporting on the same issue Ankara Anatolia (10.10.02) reported from New York that Denktas will not make a statement about the Progress Report which was approved by the European Union (EU) for Cyprus.

In the report, Cyprus, has been given the opportunity of becoming a full member in 2004.

Denktas/ advisor Ergun Olgun told the A.A (Ankara Anatolia) correspondent: ``The most important thing is Denktas` health at this point. Therefore, we do not discuss political issues with him.``

[02] Sukru Sina Gurel: The unilateral accession of Cyprus will finalize the division on the island

Gurel stated that the EU Commission's progress report on Turkey is far from meeting Ankara's expectations. Gurel remarked that the EU Commission failed to correctly assess the progress registered by Turkey, particularly in the recent period. Gurel also expressed the hope that the report will not negatively affect the EU's decision to start negotiations with Turkey.

Gurel/s statement is as follows: "We hope they will adopt a political decision that will satisfy Turkey's expectations. In all our contacts with the EU to date, we expressed this wish. During the EU summit meeting slated to take place before the end of this year, Turkey expects the Union to set a date for starting negotiations with Turkey in the course of the coming year. A so-called interim formula that does not include this will not be valid for us."

Gurel also warned against creating disappointment in the Turkish public.

"Whoever is governing Turkey, such disappointment will inevitably adversely affect the other aspects of Turkish-EU relations as well," he said.

Pointing out that the EU did not propose a third solution for Turkey, Gurel said that Turkey would not take such a proposal seriously. The Foreign Minister underlined that the unilateral accession of Cyprus to the EU will finalize the division on the island, adding that he could not speak to Verheugen, EU Commissioner in charge of enlargement, on the telephone. Noting that he sent a written message to Verheugen, Gurel said that he did not receive a response to this message. Gurel revealed that Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou called him and he, in turn, conveyed to Papandreou Turkey's concerns.

[03] The Turkish Foreign Ministry assesses the EU Commission Report on the progress of the candidate countries

In a written statement released by the Ministry on Wednesday, it was stated that the EU Commission stated in several documents that the reforms of the Turkish government that took place in the last one year was a big leap forward meeting the Copenhagen criteria and this was a constructive element in the relations.

``These documents also indicated that our country has not yet fully met all the political criteria, there were some shortcomings in the implementation of the reforms and that improvement was needed in all fields. Some of this criticism is caused by lack of information. Secondly, our nation is determined to complete these shortcomings in the pre-accession process which is a dynamic period.``

The statement pointed out that the Commission proposals pertaining to Turkey were far from meeting the expectation of Turkey, and noted that the Commission made recommendations that have limited nature.

The statement said: ``The proposals in question fail to give an adequate response to the adjustment efforts of Turkey with the important political and economic reforms recorded by Turkey in the past one year.

As it is known, our Sublime Parliament adopted revolutionary reform laws. The process regarding the issuing of secondary regulations, pertaining to those laws, continues rapidly. Besides this, the economy was re-structured, studies were made similar to the screening process within the framework of adjustment acquisitions, and concrete developments were recorded.``

The statement said all those reforms were steps taken in line with the demands and expectations of the Turkish people aiming to increase our welfare and flexibility. There is the political will which will carry out and implement studies with determination. It said the reforms in question, which are in line with the Accession Partnership Document and the National Program, were fulfilled in a way to meet the priorities stated within this framework and moreover in a way to go beyond it.

The statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry added: "The re-structuring of Europe and current developments on international and regional political relations require Turkey and the EU to forge closer relations toward membership.

In fact this is for the benefit of both sides. We expect our demand to open accession negotiations with this understanding, and we also expect those developments to be considered by the EU. Our country thinks that it gained the right to start accession negotiations in 2003 in the light of the strong will it revealed and the reforms it fulfilled.

Turkey expects a concrete decision to be taken at the Brussels and Copenhagen summits which will put forward the political will regarding the future Turkish-EU relations.``

[04] Mesut Yilmaz assesses the EU Commission Report

Recalling that the evaluation of the Commission included some proposals for the future of Turkey`s membership process, and that in this respect the issue of giving a new road map to Turkey with a new accession partnership document that would be updated by the Commission at the beginning of 2003 was included, Yilmaz said: ``Of course, Turkey will carefully evaluate this new road map. However, the proposals, made to strengthen pre-accession strategy, did not have a new dimension, and it does not bear a content or scope which will carry Turkey to membership.

In this respect, it is impossible for us to accept or adopt concepts like granting a special status for Turkey which has been brought onto the agenda several times by some circles.``

Pointing out that the report was a technical evaluation, Yilmaz said: ``I can not say that anything different was issued apart from our expectations.``

Yilmaz said it could have been a document which would facilitate taking political decisions to give Turkey a negotiation date, but it was not. He said: ``However, it was not a document preventing it either. Turkey does not have any other target, but membership. This is a process that can not be returned.``

Yilmaz said that the documents released by the European Union (EU) Commission revealed that the EU Commission had failed to display its will and courage towards fulfilling its responsibilities to Turkey.

``Turkey has taken courageous steps to fulfill its responsibilities, and made the necessary reforms for the beginning of accession negotiations. Work about implementation has been continuing. The documents released by the EU Commission are far from meeting our expectations at the critical stage of our 40-year relations with the EU, our membership to the Customs Union and of the new process which started with the announcement of Turkey`s candidacy at Helsinki Summit in December of 1999. These documents revealed that the EU Commission had failed to display its will and courage towards fulfilling its responsibilities to Turkey.

We hope that this deficiency will be removed by the governments of the EU countries at the Copenhagen Summit in December of 2002. These documents will not constitute an obstacle in front of Turkey`s beginning accession negotiations. Beginning of accession negotiations is a political decision. This decision can be taken at the summit in Copenhagen. Negotiations will be a new and dynamic process, and they will accelerate the works in Turkey,`` he said.

Yilmaz further said that the EU Commission's accepting the fact that the reform package adopted by the parliament on August 3 had a revolutionary character, was very positive, adding that ``yet this right and objective consideration was overshadowed by EU`s not approving certain practices related to basic rights and freedoms, freedom of thought and expression in Turkey which in fact need time to be implemented fully.``

When asked if the documents announced were in line with his expectations, Yilmaz said: ``I can`t say that a very different situation than what I expected has come out.`` Yilmaz added that these documents of the Commission don`t have the character of easing the political decision that needs to be taken in Copenhagen.

When a journalist asked him if these reports would strengthen the anti-EU parties in the November 3 elections, Yilmaz said: ``No, the reports are technical.``

When recalled that Cyprus was recommended to be a member of the EU in 2004 in the reports, Yilmaz said: ``The development of the negotiations was necessitating the Commission Report`s being in that way. However, while a decision on Cyprus` full membership is being taken in Copenhagen, all concerned factors will be taken into consideration, as determined in the Helsinki Summit. Thus, a critical decision will be taken in Copenhagen. A decision which does not destroy existing peace in Cyprus, which does not affect the Turkey-EU relations and which meets the expectations of the sides will have to be taken. All those factors will be evaluated in Copenhagen.``

When a reporter told Yilmaz that there was criticism in the report that a party could not take part in November 3 elections, Yilmaz said: ``The political bans are not good in respect of the level which democracy inTurkey has reached`` and added that fulfilling the necessary regulations was not possible before the elections. He stated that Turkey should save itself from the political bans.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources said that the statements in the Commission Report were not a surprise for Ankara.

Sources, who stressed that the issue of Turkey`s starting negotiations would be a political decision, stated that the documents which were announced today were not helpful for the Copenhagen Summit.

Sources said that the picture which will come out after the November 3 elections in Turkey would be very important on the eve of taking a decision in Copenhagen.

[05] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press have seen the proposals on the enlargement report announced by the EU Commission

KIBRIS (front page title): The door is open for Turkey. The President of the EU Commission, Romano Prodi: We want a Cyprus without problems in the EU.

AFRIKA (front page banner title): We are Europeans. Above the tile the paper notes that no date was given to Turkey and that Cyprus passed another important stage on its way towards becoming EU member. "The EU does not separate Cyprus into northern and southern", writes the paper adding that "The Greek Cypriots are totally Europeans, whereas we are Europeans under occupation!.Even if northern Cyprus is left under Turkey's administration for now, the Turkish Cypriots holders of a Republic of Cyprus' passport will automatically be considered as European citizens!"

VATAN (front page banner title): The EU did not give a date to Turkey! In the subtitles the paper notes that "Turkey can achieve the goal if it continues the reforms" and adds that "Important steps were made on the way towards the EU".

KIBRISLI (front page banner title): Special status and concessions! . The paper writes that the fact that the Commission did not propose a date to be given to Turkey in order to begin its EU accession talks, caused "great reactions" and adds that it was stressed that the proposal will be for Turkey not to be granted a date but a "special status". Noting that "those who believe that the fate of Turkey will be determined at Copenhagen Summit ignore this important fact", the paper argues that "Turkey will both lose the right to become a full member of the EU and will hand over Cyprus.".

YENI DUZEN publishes the information regarding the report of the EU Commission under the title "Cyprus is OK! Turkey remained for Copenhagen".

ORTAM under the banner front - page title "Cyprus is OK" writes that the Commission did not propose a date for Turkey to begin its EU accession talks, while ten countries are recommended to become full members in 2004.

VOLKAN: Under the front-page banner title "They will regret it" agues that in the strategy document published yesterday regarding the EU enlargement, the Commission "talked nonsense, alleging that 'Cyprus' fulfils the political criteria". The paper writes also the following: "In the report published yesterday regarding the enlargement of the EU, it was defined that the warnings of Turkey and the TRNC were not taken into consideration and the last step was made before the December Summit to accept the Greek Cypriot side as full member 'in the name of all Cyprus'."

HURRIYET under the banner front - page title "Everybody on duty" writes that only 64 days have remained until the Summit in Copenhagen and describes as "great injustice the report". Calling on everybody in Turkey to get into action aiming at taking a date in Copenhagen the paper notes: "No date was given in the Progress Report. As of today we must leave aside all bickering and influence the European leaders for a date with the power we have as 70 million people".

MILLIYET under the front - page banner title "The EU is turning the ball again" notes that the Europeans told the Turks to wait until the beginning of the year. "The EU, which has not given Turkey a date, announced that on the New Year's eve it would suggest a new, strengthened strategy for Turkey" , writes MILLIYET adding that no information was given regarding the content of the above - mentioned proposal.

CUMHURIYET under the front - page banner title "There is no progress again in the progress report" notes that "the political criteria were regarded insufficient" and that "the green light was given for the Greek Cypriot side".

[06] History books in the pseudostate assert that EU is of no benefit

KTOS also protested that teachers and other intellectuals in the pseudostate are oppressed. The Trade Union asked the withdrawn of a notice sent to schools by the so-called Ministry of Education. KTOS stated that this notice "is an element of ulterior motive and political oppression" against teachers and other intellectuals of the pseudostate. KTOS also stated that the so-called police of the pseudostate keeps files on teachers and students and called student guardians to react against this situation.

The General Secretary of KTOS, Sener Elcil, accused the so-called Ministry of Culture and Education of trying to prevent contacts between Turkish and Greek Cypriot teachers. He also pointed out that the oppression is increased against those that are in favor of a solution and EU membership.

[07] Turkey's EU membership process stamps election manifestos

Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process stamped the election manifestos of political parties running for the upcoming polls. While the majority of the parties give full support to Turkey's full membership target, Pro-religion Saadet (happiness or contentment) Party (FP) claims that the EU was not a modernization project. Nationalist Action Party (NAP), on the other hand, puts forth its hesitations about the EU with its slogan, "self-respecting membership to the EU".

These parties' election manifestos also reflect their views. While the majority of these parties are fully supporting the EU membership, NAP and FP are cautious about the membership process. Derived from the data of news portal Abhaber, below are the EU policies of the political parties:

Justice and Development Party (JDP): Our most important foreign policy target is the full membership

Moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (JDP) says that the relations with Europe have special importance and emphasize that Turkey's full membership to the EU is the most important foreign policy target.

JDP pledges that it will fulfill the preconditions of the EU as soon as possible and believes that the membership will improve Turkey's living standards, economy, basic human rights and freedoms.

Republican People/s Party (RPP): Membership will contribute to the success of Turkey model Center-left Republican People's Party (RPP) stresses that the Turkey model, whose foundation was laid by Kemal Ataturk, sows the seeds of the harmony of the Islamic world and the Western world. For this reason, the party believes that the EU membership will contribute to the success of the Turkey model and strengthening of peace in Turkey's region and in the world.

RPP says that Turkey would be a bridge of culture and reconciliation between two civilizations if it becomes an EU member.

Felicity Party (FP): EU is not a modernization project Pro-religion FP does not consider the EU a modernization project and claims that the EU is only one of Turkey's strategic tendencies. FP believes that it would be meaningful if Turkey, which develops its ties with its neighbors, the Turkic and the Islamic world, enters the EU as an equal partner.

FP stresses that such a Turkey would contribute to the establishment of multi-religion and multi-culture Europe.

Democratic Left Party (DLP): EU membership opens new horizons for Turkey Center-left Democratic Left Party (DLP) claims that EU membership will open new horizons for Turkey. DLP's first target in its EU policy is the start of accession negotiations between Turkey and the EU.

DLP says it is determined to fulfill the preconditions required for the membership and adds that the Aegean and Cyprus issues are not directly related to the EU membership.

Nationalist Action Party (NAP): Self-respecting membership to the EU Nationalist Action Party (NAP) wants Turkey to become an EU member at the end of a self-respecting and just process. Urging the EU to be cautious and sensitive to Turkey's membership process, the NAP suggests that those approaches that show Turkey as a faulty candidate should be given up.

NAP says Turkey's EU membership process would be concluded through protecting its legal rights on vital issues such as Cyprus and the Aegean.

True Path Party (TPP): We'll enter the EU with our mosque, culture and flag Center-right True Path Party (TPP) claims that it is the only party that can make Turkey an EU member, emphasizing that the EU's political and economic preconditions aim to set up the infrastructure of a democratic environment where people will live in welfare.

TPP/s slogan is that Turkey will enter the EU with its mosque, culture and flag.

Motherland Party (MP): We will be Turkey's trump card in the negotiation process

Acting as the standard-bearer of the EU membership most, center-right Motherland Party (MP) says that there were 31 topics that would be discussed with the EU in the adaptation process. Varying from competition policy to joint transportation policy, MP says Turkey will negotiate a wide range of issues.

MP claims that it will be Turkey's biggest trump card in the negotiation process thanks to its deep knowledge and experience.

Leftist Workers/ Party (LWP): EU will impoverish Turkey Leftist Workers' Party (LWP) claims that EU membership will impoverish Turkey. According to LWP, those who favor the membership deceive the nation. LWP's slogan reads that Turkey will not accept to be divided, impoverished and be a slave at the EU door.

[08] Journalist Ezgi sentenced to 20 months

The court also decided to close down the Milli Gazette for three days and fined the Editor of the newspaper, Selami Caliskan.

"I wrote my article within the framework of freedom of thought. There might be some who like it and some who do not like it," Eygi stated in the trial.

In his column, Eygi was claiming that the Constitutional Court and Court of Cassation were taking a hostile decision against the headscarf issue which is viewed as the symbol of political Islam.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] "A European under occupation"

"The progress reports of the EU were at last announced yesterday. The one foot of Cyprus is now in the EU. On 12 December in Copenhagen the other foot will also be in the EU.

I have always supported that with or without a solution Cyprus as a whole must join the EU, because I consider the whole of the island as my country and not only the half of it. You can say citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, and I will say citizens of Cyprus. This makes no difference. I have never considered the other part of Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Famagusta, which has been abandoned for 28 years to centipedes, as part of another country.

I also believe that one day peace, tranquility and prosperity will definitely come to this country. When we develop our potentials, our conscious and our economy, we shall not worship the flag, the national anthems or the weapons. Then no one will go to the official parades in order to see and applaude the instruments of death. As a matter of fact, the parades of tanks will become a thing of the past. We shall only praise ourselves for our productivity. There will be no one left among us so senseless as to be proud for Hellenism or for Turkism.

We long for justice and law in the world. .How much we apparently long for living in a country, which is not administered with orders from above. How bored we have really got with the 'Military zone, no entry' signs. How tired we are with those who fear to oppose the order of things because they related everything to their stomach. What a beautiful thing it is to be sure that absolutely no one has the power to decide for the judge, while you are going to trial. Let the police be real police, the courts be real courts, the assembly be real assembly, the state be at the service of the people and not the people at the service of the state. Let the state not follow us like a shadow. Let its mustache not enter into our soup. Let it not appear everywhere before us and say: 'I will crush you'.

This place called Europe cannot of course be considered as paradise. However, it has everything we do not have. I would like to live in a place where there is justice. I would like to live in a community, which has the capability of separating those who are guilty from the innocent. We are all tired of living in an order of things where the leader is at his place for fifty years and therefore all values have been rotten. We got bored we tell you, bored.

Do not see all the protests of Ankara. They are screaming and shouting because no date was granted to Turkey, but together with Devlet Bahceli and Sukru Sina Gurel many generals too are really satisfied with this report. They are satisfied because they really do not want Turkey's accession to the EU. Do those, who have related their existence to an illegal order of things, want to become a part of a system of laws?

What about Cyprus' accession? Do not worry. They have accepted it also calmly. Here, the one foot of the island is already in Europe. E, where are those who were shouting? Where are those who were saying that 'If the EU takes Cyprus our reaction will have no limits'? Where are those who talked about annexation? Is there another stealthiness in the whole thing?

It is a pity that they deprived us from our country's course towards becoming EU member. However, speaking between us, unfortunately we as Turkish Cypriots have not struggled enough to be included into this process. They could still keep us for a bit longer under occupation, but they cannot prevent us from becoming EU citizens. We are all Europeans from now on. Is there any other European under occupation except us?"

[10] Why has the EU Commission not given a date?

Earlier, I had relayed to you the highlights of the European Union Commission report which examines the level the 12 candidate countries have reached in complying with the Copenhagen criteria. I do not want to repeat the same data. Storms were brewing in Brussels as this article was being written.

Everybody rushed to grab a copy of the over 1000-page report. You must have watched the statement Verheugen made in the European Parliament and the press conference he held afterwards.

The EU Commission report does not reflect either a pro-Turkey or an anti-Turkey stance. It praises the aspects that merit praise while criticizing the things even we ourselves keep criticizing.

The Commission has contented itself with drawing up a "technical" balance sheet.

From our standpoint, the most significant aspect of the report is that it does not set a specific date for the start of the accession talks with Turkey.

According to the Commission sources, Turkey -- Mesut Yilmaz especially -- has insisted unnecessarily on getting a date.

One EU Commission official says, "We never had something like that with any other candidate country. The moment a country complies with the Copenhagen criteria the accession talks begin. You pressed on before the time came. You asked for the screening process last year and you insisted on getting a date this year. You have been impatient. You have tried to burn your way through these stages."

The official in question criticizes Ankara's stance in the following manner: "You keep saying, 'We have done our share and now it is the EU's turn to deliver.' You think it would be enough to take a few steps. Yet, there is so much ground to be covered. And then you come up and blame us. You are creating unwarranted public tension and undue public expectations."

The official in question may be right from his own standpoint. The thing he cannot understand is that Turkey is in a hurry, that Turkey is wary of losing time.

Maybe tension is being created. Maybe undue expectations are being created. Well, this is the Turkish way of doing things (!) What can we do? In the capital cities of the EU member countries I posed the following question insistently: Why have you not given Turkey a date? In the end I managed to draw up a detailed list of the reasons for that:

1. The EU Commission thinks that things have not yet reached the stage where Turkey should be given a date.

They believe that the adaptation to the EU bills passed in Turkey have certain shortcomings, and that those bills that were passed are not being implemented.

Therefore, rather than suggesting that Turkey should not be given a date, they have decided to ignore the "date" issue, sending the ball into the court of the leaders who will be attending the Copenhagen summit.

2. For the EU Commission to opt for such a "postponement" there is another reason as well: The election that will take place in Turkey on November 3. The decision regarding the starting date of the accession talks will be greatly affected by the nature of the picture that will emerge in the aftermath of the election.

If the election leads to a Justice and Development Party (JDP) - Nationalist Action Party (NAP) coalition, Turkey will not be given a date since, in such a situation, the conviction that Turkey will not be implementing the EU bills, would grow.

Establishment of a pro-EU coalition, on the other hand, would facilitate Turkey's getting a date from the EU.

3. Cyprus is yet another factor which has brought about this "postponement". If a solution is found in Cyprus, this will greatly facilitate Turkey's getting a date from the EU.

If the Cyprus problem remains unsolved, this will complicate the situation a lot. Since the Cyprus talks are currently in the most critical stage, the EU Commission has preferred to wait and see.

4. An EU referendum will be held in Ireland on October 19. If the Irish say "No" in the referendum, the entire EU enlargement program will grind to a halt.

5. The EU remains undecided on two issues. The EU still does not know what to do about Turkey and about the EU's own future. The uncertainty on whether the EU will shift towards a federation or confederation in the future, will be affecting Turkey as well.

Due to the combined effect of all these factors, the decision regarding Turkey will have to wait until the Copenhagen summit.

I think that this is better.

/SK

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