Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-10-31

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader may return to the occupied areas next week.

[02] Statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the contacts of Mr Alvaro de Soto in Ankara.

[03] Cyprus deal still possible before year-end.

[04] Jacques Poos met with Angolemli and Talat. He assured the Turkish Cypriots that the EU will give full guarantee for their protection and their identity.

[05] Debates on Turkey's next Prime Minister are causing tension in the relations between Sezer and Erdogan; Comments by other political party leaders.

[06] The ´Mayor´ of the occupied Nicosia met with the Ambassador of Italy.

[07] The trial of Nilgun Orhon was transferred to the "Constitutional Court".

[08] Seven businessmen visited the pseudostate to examine business opportunities.

[09] Moscow envoy slams Turkish media for siege 'hypocrisy'.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Revenge is our oath.

[11] Not very much different.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader may return to the occupied areas next week

In reply to a question on reports that the UN Secretary-General will present a plan on the Cyprus issue, Olgun said that certain views can be presented in order to help the sides and stressed: "However, a fait accompli is out of the question. An agreement which is not in line with the Cyprus realities is impossible. For an agreement, it is absolutely necessary to have equal sovereignty and bizonality."

Statements on Denktas´ health were also made by the so-called Deputy Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu after a meeting of the so-called Council of Ministers yesterday

In reply to a question on the health of Rauf Denktas, Cosar said that, according to reports, the health of Denktas is very good and added: "God willing, he will be among us soon. There is information to the effect that he may arrive next week. Another assessment will be conducted, however, the important thing is that our `president's´ health is improving with each passing day. In this regard, his condition is pleasing. I assume that the Turkish Cypriots are also very happy with this."

[02] Statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the contacts of Mr Alvaro de Soto in Ankara

The statement issued by the Foreign Ministry noted that "certain news and commentaries that deviate from their goal" have recently been appearing in the press in connection with the contacts that were held with De Soto in Ankara.

The statement added that the talks on the Cyprus problem are continuing and recalled that the two committees, whose establishment was envisaged within the framework of the agreement Annan reached with the two leaders on 3-4 October, are expected to begin their work in the coming days.

The statement continued: "Mr Denktas, who underwent a successful operation, is expected to return to the `TRNC´ in the near future and to actively participate in the direct talks process as soon as possible." The statement further noted that at the contacts held with De Soto, Ankara's assessment of the stage reached in the Cyprus talks was conveyed.

The statement concluded by saying: "These contacts cannot be described as negotiations. The negotiation process is being conduced by the two sides in Cyprus."

[03] Cyprus deal still possible before year-end

The internationally recognized Cyprus government and "TRNC" state are struggling to end the decades-old division of the island by the December deadline. Success would allow Cyprus to join the EU as a reunited island in 2004.

But Turkish Cypriot leader Denktas recently underwent heart surgery in New York and aides say he will need until mid-December, the time of the Copenhagen summit on European Union enlargement, to recuperate. "Things are more mature than they have ever been for a settlement," said the source, who asked not to be identified.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has won "messages of encouragement" from U.S. President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and European Commission President Romano Prodi for a peace plan he is expected to submit to the two sides around mid-November, the source said.

Asked about Denktas' illness, the source said Annan might choose to invite President Glafcos Clerides to New York to discuss the plan. "But the catalyst must come before Copenhagen," added the source, who is close to the U.N. brokered talks.

"It is not too late, if the political will is there, to get a framework agreement at or before Copenhagen (December 12-13)."

Turkey's general election on Sunday will prove key to determining whether that political will really exists, but the EU can help by keeping open the door for Ankara's eventual accession to the Union, the source said.

Cyprus is one of 10 states due to wrap up accession talks in December and to join in 2004. A candidate since 1999, Turkey has yet to begin negotiations due to EU human rights concerns.

Brussels has promised generous aid to the Turkish Cypriots if they cut a deal with their richer Greek Cypriot neighbours, but it also says it is ready to admit only the free areas into the EU in the absence of a peace settlement.

On Turkey, the source said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, head of the Justice and Development Party (JDP) which is seen winning most seats in Sunday's election, had called for a swift resolution of the Cyprus problem and much better ties with Ankara's neighbours including Greece during a private chat with Western diplomats.

Erdogan himself has been banned from running for election because of a conviction for "Islamist sedition" and it is not clear who would head the next government if his JDP party won.

The diplomatic source said he expected the Greek Cypriots to offer the Turkish Cypriots "messages of good will" at the Copenhagen summit to help ease their living conditions, but he declined to say what these might entail.

If Turkey cooperates over a settlement, Cyprus would become a strong advocate for Ankara's own EU bid, the source said.

[04] Jacques Poos met with Angolemli and Talat. He assured the Turkish Cypriots that the EU will give full guarantee for their protection and their identity

Jacques Poos held separate meetings with Communal Liberation Party (CLP) leader Huseyin Angolemli and Republican Turkish Party (RTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Following the meetings, Poos told reporters that there was a limited time before the Copenhagen summit in which a decision would be made about the EU membership of Cyprus.

Responding to a question, Poos said that the report on EU membership of Cyprus was of vital importance ``because they were at the last 50 metres of the race before the Copenhagen summit. ``

Poos noted that as the European Parliament, they could celebrate ``the accession of Cyprus`` on December 14. But, he said, there were many things to be done for Cyprus till that time.

He would prepare his report with the hope and spirit that the Cyprus problem would be concluded, Poos stated. Because, he said, all parameters were on the table and the only thing they needed at the moment was the political will and political courage of both sides for a compromise put forth by the United Nations Secretary-General and supported by the EU.

Poos said that if this was achieved, a solution would be easier and the EU would harmonize an agreement to be reached in Cyprus with an agreement text on EU membership process.

What they wanted to see was the accession of a united Cyprus to the EU, Poos noted.

Poos stated that the Turkish Cypriots had to exert utmost efforts for that accession and said that the EU was very advantageous for the Turkish Cypriots, and added:

``We will give full guarantee regarding the protection of the cultural heritage and identity of the Turkish Cypriots within the EU. You will also have many friends within the EU which understand the history of your country. But certainly all of these

will depend on the rules within the EU. ``

Communal Liberation Party (CLP) leader Huseyin Angolemli referred to the importance of the Copenhagen summit, adding that the sides should launch efforts during this period. All the signs show that `the efforts launched to date have brought a solution closer. The solution of the problem is to the interest of all sides and the region, `` he said.

He also said that the CLP considers the future of Cyprus in the EU after the solution of the problem, adding that the two "peoples" on the island are equal and Cyprus is the common country of the both sides. He stressed that if the EU admits the Greek Cypriot side to the Union on behalf of the `whole Cyprus` without a solution on the island, Turkish Cypriots will face a big injustice.

"The Turkish Cypriots are also human beings and they have the right to live in human conditions. EU, which respects human rights, has to particularly think for Turkish Cypriots, `` he said.

Republican Turkish Party (RTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat said on his part that the proposal of the U.N. to be submitted to both sides will play an important role in the solution of the Cyprus problem. Talat said that Turkey`s joining the EU will ease the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[05] Debates on Turkey's next Prime Minister are causing tension in the relations between Sezer and Erdogan; Comments by other political party leaders

Speaking on Tuesday night at a reception to mark the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, President Sezer said that it was his prerogative to call on a political leader to form the next government after the November 3 election. Apparently referring to Mr Erdogan, Mr Sezer added that he would not chose a politician who was not able to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming poll and thus could not be a member of parliament.

Recep Tayyip Erdoðan has been barred from running in the election as a court has ruled that he is still serving a sentence, handed down in 1999, for inciting religious or ethnic hatred.

Meanwhile, HURRIYET (31.10.02) reports that in response to the President's comment, Mr Erdoðan said that a person not chosen by his party would not get a vote of confidence from a parliament, where JDP has the majority. "The President has the power to assign, but the duty to elect belongs to the party which has taken the majority of the votes", noted Mr Erdogan addressing a meeting of his party in Yozgat.

Pointing out that according to the established practice the President assigns the duty to form a government to the leader of the party which had won the elections, Mr Erdogan continued: "Our party committee will designate the Prime Minister. Be careful, I am not saying Prime Minister. I am saying candidate Prime Minister. However, the power to elect this candidate belongs to the party, which will get the majority of the votes. What will the President do? He will have contacts with this party. That is what we are saying. Yes, the President has the power to assign, but the duty to elect belongs to the party with the most votes".

Furthermore, the Republican People's Party (RPP), which is second in public opinion polls after the pro-Islamic JDP, expressed support for President Sezer in his controversy with Mr Erdogan over who names the new Prime Minister.

RPP leader, Deniz Baykal said Wednesday that President Sezer's remarks regarding the designation of the prime minister were not surprising. Baykal stressed that what's surprising was the claim to determine the prime minister without being a deputy candidate as a party leader who is not even a member of his party.

Commenting on Sezer's remarks concerning Mr Erdogan, Baykal said that there was an unusual picture in Turkey. "A leader of a political party cannot become a deputy and there's an ongoing case against his leadership. This is a controversial issue in terms of the law," Baykal added.

Mr Baykal noted that President Sezer's remarks were not surprising since he declared how he would use his presidential authority but added that Mr Erdogan's claim was surprising, as he would determine the Prime Minister without being a deputy candidate as a party leader who is not a member of his party.

Mr Baykal argued that Erdogan's leadership was a controversial issue and said that the pro-Islamist former Istanbul mayor insisted on staying as party leader although he would not be able to become a deputy. He said that this would do no good to Turkey as the country was being pushed into an uncertainty.

Meanwhile, main opposition True Path Party (TPP) leader Tansu Ciller said that the Constitution granted the President the power to determine the prime minister, HURRIYET reports today.

Addressing the public at an election rally in eastern Anatolian province of Malatya, Mrs Ciller once again criticized the JDP frontrunner party ahead of the upcoming elections, and its leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose leadership is a controversial issue because of the Constitutional Court decision banning him from becoming a premier.

Supporting President Sezer's remarks, Mrs Ciller noted that the Constitution granted the President the power to determine the Prime Minister. "Who will be the Prime Minister? If Erdogan is elected, will the one determined by him be able to be prime minister? Will he be able to be the prime minister? Who will govern the country then?" Mrs Ciller wondered.

[06] The "Mayor" of occupied Nicosia met with the Ambassador of Italy

During the meeting, they exchanged views on the latest developments in the direct talks on the Cyprus problem and the developments regarding domestic problems of Italy and Cyprus related to the EU enlargement.

Referring to the historical ties between Cyprus and Italy, Erk stressed that based on that bond he supports the cooperation between the Municipality of Venice and the Municipality of occupied Nicosia. He also added that they have invited some groups from Italy to participate in the International Theatre Festival to be organised by the Municipality of the occupied Nicosia in May-June 2003.

They also discussed the issue of the opening of an Italian Cultural Centre in occupied Nicosia.

Within the same framework Mr Erk, writes the paper, has increased his contacts with foreign diplomats and yesterday he met with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation.

[07] The trial of Nilgun Orhon was transferred to the "Constitutional Court"

examined the case of Nilgun Orhon, Sener Levent and the newspaper "AFRIKA", has been referred to the so-called Constitutional Court after the demand of the defence lawyers on the grounds that "the case which was opened against the freedom of speech is unconstitutional".

[08] Seven businessmen visited the pseudostate to examine business opportunities

According to the paper the seven businessmen, three men and four women, had a meeting with Turkish Cypriot businessmen at the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, where they exchanged views regarding trade issues. The foreign businessmen thanked the Turkish Cypriot businessmen for showing a great interest in their products and trading companies. They also added that they would be pleased to establish very strong economic relations with the pseudostate.

The businessmen arrived in the pseudostate from Turkey on the 28th of October and stayed in Kyrenia.

[09] Moscow envoy slams Turkish media for siege 'hypocrisy'

The Chechen issue continued to affect Turkish-Russian relations, Russian ambassador to Turkey accused the Turkish media of hypocrisy in its reporting of the Moscow siege and Chechnya on Wednesday.

In a five-page statement, Ambassador Alexander Lebedev said he wondered if opposing Russia was a genetic trait for Turks. He said Turkish coverage of last week's theatre siege by Chechen rebels concentrated on attacking Russian authorities for their response to the hostage-taking.

He said coverage of Russia's conflict with Chechen rebels was very different to the coverage of its own struggle with Kurdish terrorists.

Lebedev said Turkish newspapers and television would report alleged Russian atrocities in the rebel province of Chechnya but ignore "the heads severed by Chechen and Arab brigands".

"Is this coincidence? Or is opposition to Russia a genetic syndrome," he wrote.

Russia says at least 117 hostages died when Russian special forces stormed the Moscow theatre on Saturday, all but two from the effects of a secret gas pumped in to subdue the rebels.

"Is a terrorist who carries out terrorist acts against Turkish citizens in Turkey a completely different thing to the Chechen...terrorist who carries out sabotage against Russians in Russia," Lebedev wrote.

Turkey for years accused Russia of supporting the rebel Kurdistan Worker´s Party (PKK) it has fought at a cost of more than 30,000 lives since 1984.

Russia in turn has accused Turkey of soft treatment of the Chechen rebels, who have carried out numerous attacks in Turkey.

Most of the group of pro-Chechen gunmen who seized a Black Sea ferry in Turkey in 1996 staged a mass outbreak from jail the following year.

The Turkish city of Istanbul is home to a substantial number of exiled Chechens, who are widely regarded in Turkey as fellow Muslims fighting against foreign oppression.

Russia and Turkey have jostled for influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia since the times of the sultans and Czars.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] "Revenge is our oath"

The Spanish journalists came.

After completing the necessary forms they entered into Northern Cyprus. But, unfortunately, before they even breathed our air they were expelled.

Once again they ridiculed "TRNC" in the eyes of the world and they do not know how to stop the storm which this incident created and which led to the situation being characterised as "Franco's regime".

In "TRNC" no official or organization came out to take the responsibility for this ridicule - No one dared to come forward and in a manly manner to state: "I gave the order"! For two days they all kept asking: "Who is the unknown hero?"

Finally, when all the charges justifiably were directed towards Tahsin Ertugruloglu, he issued this terrible statement in Parliament:

"This incident is an intrigue by the European Union against `TRNC´ and it has been set up by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry"!!!

The well known organisations which fight against a solution and the European Union seized the opportunity of this disclosure.

In order to cover the expulsion ridicule, they have started hammering the Chamber! After the "Human Rights Association", which was led by the leadership of the National People's Movement (NPM), the Fighters´ Association, the Farmers´ Union and the Public Servants´ Union took part in this campaign.

In the midst of this nationalistic delirium the Foreign Press Association invited the Spanish journalists who were expelled from the `TRNC´ so that the negative effects which were created and which will still be created by this ridiculous incident could be compensated. It will also cover all the journalists´ expenses.

The foreign Press Association, by taking this initiative, caused the reaction of the Fighters´ Association, the National People´s Front and Tahsin Ertugruloglu. On its part, the Nationalist Justice Party (NJP) which always shows no respect for the Turkish Cypriots´ wishes, stated: "We congratulate all the officials who signed the expulsion". (!!!) Here you are, destroy everything.

The Chamber's officials invited Tahsin Ertugruloglu, who said that this incident is an intrigue of the European Union against `TRNC´ and it has been set up by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to an open public debate.

It is being reported that Tahsin Ertugruloglu, who does not dare to take part in such a debate has not, up to now, given any reply.

Since the expulsion incident is a conspiracy against `TRNC´, who gave the Foreign Press Association the right to invite to `TRNC´ the Spanish journalists who were expelled?

How come that these persons who will continue "to conspire" against us will be invited again telling them: "You have misunderstood us. A mistake has been made; come along to rectify it". In addition we will cover all their expenses.

I am really interested in finding out. what does Ertugruloglu have to say about this invitation to the Spanish journalists?

What does NPM have to say on this? What about the Fighters´ Association? What does NAP have to say which stated that "we congratulate those who took the decision to expel the Spanish journalists?"

For the Turkish Cypriots only one hope for salvation is left: Solution and European Union. All the above are using every means to destroy this hope.

There are even those who say to themselves: "If we are not successful then revenge is our oath".

[11] Not very much different

The full text of the commentary is as follows:

"Only 58 hours after approximately 50 Chechens took 800 people hostage in a theater in Moscow, Russian special forces launched an operation and killed, with gas, almost all of the Chechen militants and, according to latest reports, 118 of hostages, "rescuing" the rest. The 45 who were saved are reportedly in a critical situation.

In a statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to families of those hostages who could not be saved, described what Chechen militants did as an act of "international terrorism" and emphasized the operation had proved that "Russia cannot be brought down to its knees."

Irrespective of what the motivation behind such an operation is, what catches one's eye about the attitude of the Russian administration is that it does not deem its people or the people in general, to be important. Terrorists are trying to reach their "political" goals by attacking innocent civilians. And Russia does nothing to avoid sacrificing its civilians in the name of the political goal of showing to the outside world that it was not brought down to its knees in the war in Chechnya.

But what is graver about all this is the fact that Russian forces used gas in this operation. Except two, all the 118 hostages died after being poisoned by gas. Since special forces did not bring the necessary oxygen bottles and masks with them, many of the hostages died after being rescued. What is more, since the authorities refuse to say which gas was used, treatment of patients is not possible. As the gas remains a mystery, it is not known whether rescued hostages will suffer from dangerous and lasting side-effects in the future.

The Russian officials' refusal to tell the public what kind of a gas was used in the operation paves the way for different rumours. Was it a virulent gas? Or is what we are talking about a gas whose production and use is forbidden under international treaties to which Russia is a party? Russia has the world's largest chemical weapon stocks. Under a 1993 convention, it has to stop producing banned chemical weapons and destruct existing ones with funds received for this purpose from the West. According to estimates, destruction of all such weapons would require some $6 billion and the destruction process would take 30-50 years to be completed if Russia receives no aid for that purpose. It is also known that chemical weapons collected from ex-Soviet countries following the dissolution of the Soviet Union have not yet been declared.

Can you imagine this, the Iraqi regime will be replaced through use of force by the international community because it produces and stores chemical weapons that it used against its people (Kurds) in the past? It is a quirk of fate that the United States needs the support of Russia, which uses banned and hidden chemical gas against its people and "terrorists", in order to get authorization to use force against Iraq. Is this how the war against terrorism will be won?

The Chechen militants' taking 800 people as hostages meet all the conditions for an act to be described as a terrorist act. Atrocities that the Russian army carries out in Chechnya do not justify terrorism. But this does not mean the Russian special forces were right when they shot Chechen militants dead as they were lying unconscious on the floor because of the gas. Killing a person who is unable to use his or her weapon is one of the most serious crimes under the law of war. And using gas in a manner that led to death of more civilians than Chechen militants is a crime not only because of the use of banned weapons but also it is tantamount to use of excessive force.

Think of what such an administration could do in Chechnya, if it does this to its people to prove that it could not be brought down to its knees! In September 1999, bomb attacks in three Russian buildings led to the death of approximately 150 civilians and it was these attacks, for which Chechens were blamed, that paved the way for the reelection of Putin to presidency and the second Chechen war. The latest theater operation increases suspicions on these attacks.

Reports say that the Russian army destroy civilian targets, such as settlement areas, and indiscriminately kill innocent civilians. That such acts are carried out by an army does not change their terrorist feature. Perhaps this is why Chechen militants, who have avoided resorting to terrorist means over the last three years, especially the young generation, are now inclined to terrorism. On the other hand, there has been talk of Russia intending to adopt an even harder line in the Chechen war, as if the current line is not hard enough.

I wonder, will the first "customers" of the International Criminal Court (ICC) be Russians?"

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