Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-11-13

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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 will look at the issue of territory by going back 40 years when he started his struggle to destroy the Republic of Cyprus and by the faits accomplish of the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation.

[02] The Cyprus solution plan was assessed by Turkish diplomatic sources.

[03] Erdogan/s first reaction to the UN solution plan for Cyprus.

[04] Assessment by the Deputy leader of the JDP of the UN Cyprus solution plan.

[05] The Deputy Chairman of RPP assessed the UN Cyprus solution plan.

[06] Mehmet Ali Talat thinks that the percentage of territory provided for the Turkish Cypriots in the proposals is higher than what Denktas had agreed to.

[07] Soysal: "The UN plan is too far from the positions of the Turkish side".

[08] The General Secretary of RTP calls on Soysal to be quiet until the political assessments are made.

[09] Eroglu: "Some of our sine qua non conditions are not included in the plan"

[10] Pro-Denktas VOLKAN newspaper calls on the Turkish Cypriots to "rise up", because the UN plan provides for the return of Greek Cypriot refugees to their homes.

[11] The new Turkish Parliament will convene tomorrow.

[12] Angolemli: The UN plan was prepared with caution and sensitivity for both sides of Cyprus.

[13] Sukru Sina Gurel: There are no problems on sovereignty in the UN plan.

[14] Four war vessels and the Turkish Chief of Staff will visit the occupied areas for the anniversary of the puppet regime.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[15] Ilnur Cevik on the UN plan for Cyprus.

[16] Baykal insists that Erdogan should insult the national dignity of Greeks by visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus before going to Greece.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas will look at the issue of territory by going back 40 years when he started his struggle to destroy the Republic of Cyprus and by the faits accomplish of the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation

"There is no doubt that the plan has very important aspects. Particularly on the topic of territory. I do not think that either of the sides will be happy with the points contained in the plan in terms of the territory issue. We will look at this part of the issue with a humane approach and from the standpoint of the revolution that has taken place on Cyprus over the past 40 years. After all, you cannot act as if nothing has happened on Cyprus and just bring everything back to the way it was before."

Pointing out that UN General-Secretary Kofi Annan had asked him not to make hasty statements regarding the plan, Denktas said: "We will carefully examine every aspect of the plan as a whole," and added:

"Since I am far away from my advisers, from the members of the `government/, and from the `parliament/ and the party leaders, I am not in a position to do this at the moment. I will be able to do this when I return to Cyprus. I hope that I will be able to return to Cyprus at the end of the week. We will read the report very carefully. And I am certain that our colleagues on Cyprus are doing the very same thing right now. At the end of this, and when the time is appropriate, we will make a joint statement."

In reply to a journalist who noted that certain officials from the UN had also taken part in the evaluation meeting, Denktas said: "We got information from them. We put questions to them regarding issues on which we wanted clarification, and we got their answers. It was a very useful meeting."

Denktas also said that the reports to the effect that he would be meeting tomorrow in his hotel with UN Special Adviser for Cyprus Alvaro De Soto are not correct.

Meanwhile CNN TURK Television (12.11.02) broadcast that Rauf Denktas has commented on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's peace plan from the hospital in New York. He said: "Naturally, parts of the plan do not comply with our own views. We must assess them very well."

CNN/s correspondent Serda Celikan reported the following by telephone from New York:

Mr Denktas left the hospital last week and is resting at the Marmara Manhattan Hotel. The plan was submitted to him at the hotel. While he was leaving the hotel, he said: "It is a long plan, and one that is trying to leave doors open for both sides in connection with the issues they can accept or not. Naturally, parts of the plan do not comply with our own views. We must assess them very well.

He did not elaborate on these parts. He said: It would not be right to say anything definite before studying the plan.

Asked if the Swiss model or the Belgian model is being considered, Denktas replied: You can take bits of this and bits of that and make your own model.

Denktas has now gone to the Turkish Embassy to meet with Umit Pamir, Turkey's permanent delegate to the United Nations, in order to discuss the details of the plan.

[02] The Cyprus solution plan was assessed by Turkish diplomatic sources

The Foreign Ministry will continue its assessment of the plan. Once this assessment is completed, it will be submitted to the government. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry officials said that they want to brief JDP [Justice and Development Party] Chairman Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the Annan plan prior to his European tour.

[03] Erdogan/s first reaction to the UN solution plan for Cyprus

``Earlier, we put forward our view about the Cyprus question: Two equal, sovereign and separate states inspired by the Belgian model. Also, I want to stress that finding a solution to the Cyprus question which could not be solved for 40 years, will accelerate Turkey`s EU full membership process. It will also constitute an important step to overcome many difficulties between Turkey and Greece,`` he added.

[04] Assessment by the Deputy leader of the JDP of the UN Cyprus solution plan

Yakis, a former ambassador, commented on the Cyprus plan to Umit Sezgin on CNBC-E. He pointed out that the plan has parts that will both satisfy and disturb the two sides, and stressed that the main issue that should be studied in the plan is the issue of sovereignty.

"Our party's view on this matter is as follows: We are ready to approach the issue with goodwill and without prejudice. Nevertheless, we will not make any concessions beyond what we call the red line. Concessions can be made before that line. For example, border adjustments can be made. A limited population can be allowed to move." he said.

Asked how a rejection of the peace plan would affect the Copenhagen summit from which Turkey is expecting a negotiation date, Yakis charged that the fact that the Cyprus problem has become a precondition is a double standard.

"The 15 EU member countries that have a say over this issue will look to Turkey's membership more positively if Turkey solves the Cyprus problem. The solution of the Cyprus problem will have an indirect effect. The fact that the Cyprus problem has not been solved is an obstacle in their minds", he added.

On the JDP's approach to and priorities in Turkey's foreign policy, Yasar Yakis stressed that the foreign policy strategies of a powerful country like Turkey will not change quickly. Our priority is the EU, he said, and he described the JDP's new approach as a desire to turn Turkey into a country that has no problems with any of its neighbours.

[05] The Deputy Chairman of RPP assessed the UN Cyprus solution plan

Batu said the document should be examined well to make a detailed evaluation, adding: ``Naturally, the evaluation of the Turkish Cypriot side is important for us. According to our first impressions, although very positive proposals were made on constitutional issues, it is understood that views on territory and Greek Cypriot refugees, which are difficult to reconcile with the facts of the island, are also included in the document.

``As the new joint Cyprus Republic which is expected to be formed is supposed to be full member of the EU soon, then it is difficult to bring onto the agenda the arrangements that would force tens of thousands of people to migration again.``

Batu said they wish the two sides in Cyprus will discuss the U.N. ideas in detail and reach a comprehensive, lasting and fair solution.

[06] Mehmet Ali Talat thinks that the percentage of territory provided for the Turkish Cypriots in the proposals is higher than what Denktas had agreed to

Talat, on his way to Istanbul for a television program, asserted in a statement to the illegal Turkish Cypriot News Agency (TAK) that, as a political party, his group had not yet had the opportunity to obtain the plan that was presented to the sides yesterday and is now being debated intensely by the Greek Cypriot side.

Talat said: "Despite having made efforts to do so since yesterday evening, we have still not had a chance to see the plan. I will telephone New York again today, and I will also ask Ergun Olgun and Rauf Denktas. If that doesn't work, I can also ask Glafcos Clerides for it."

Stating that he only had knowledge in terms of the form in which the Cyprus plan has been reflected in the press, Talat spoke as follows:

"In the form that has been reflected in the press, it gives the impression of being a text that will guarantee an agreement by the time of the Copenhagen summit. There are definitely elements that create unease. For instance, we have no information concerning arrangements that greatly concern the people, such as regarding territory and refugees. But there are also important provisions on the topics of political equality and sovereignty, on which the Turkish side has been insistent. In other words, it is a text that needs to be discussed and evaluated. And since there is no demand that it be either accepted or rejected as a whole, we have to set forth our views and get the optimum results with an approach of give-and-take."

Stating that the provisions in the planned solution calling for a transition period, and for a presidential council to last for a period, were indications that the UN has gotten to the essentials of the Cyprus issue and has taken the sensitivities of the two communities into account, Talat said the following with regard to the territorial issue:

"Mr Denktas had already accepted 29 percent. If, as is being said, 30 percent is provided for in the plan, this percentage is in fact higher than what Denktas had agreed to. It would not be right in principle to say "No", but in addition to the territorial arrangements it is also necessary to see how property rights are provided for."

[07] Soysal: "The UN plan is too far from the positions of the Turkish side"

Noting that the UN Secretary - General has submitted the plan in order to facilitate the ground for negotiations, Mr Soysal argued that Mr Annan wants from the sides to tell him within a week whether or not the plan could create a ground for negotiations. ".What the Secretary-General wants as an answer from the sides", he noted, "is not whether they accept the plan or not".

Mr Soysal reiterated the Turkish position that there are two "separate states" on the island and that this must be accepted. Mr Soysal said also that the UN and the European Union must know that no solution could be reached with pressures and continued: ".There are hopes that the sides could reach an agreement on all the points within three weeks. This means that they hope for the impossible to happen. The issue must be changed. The point of view must be changed. This is not an ultimatum. In fact, when it becomes an ultimatum there will be a situation that would create more difficulties and absolutely no good could come out from a solution reached by an ultimatum".

[08] The General Secretary of RTP calls on Soysal to be quiet until the political assessments are made

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Soyer called on Mr Soysal to be quiet until the political assessments are made, and described as "unacceptable" his evaluation regarding the plan noting that Mr Soysal's words show that "from being an advisor he has been promoted to a position from where he can define policy". Mr Soyer described as "an example of total weakness" the fact that an advisor talks on behalf of the Turkish side before the political assessments are made, and expressed the opinion that Mr Soysal tries to put the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey into a contradiction with the UN.

[09] Eroglu: "Some of our sine qua non conditions are not included in the plan"

Noting that they would be in a position to comment on the plan after evaluating it in depth, Mr Eroglu said: "It has both positive and negative sides. It is obvious that some of our sine qua non conditions have not been taken into consideration. For example, there is no clarity on sovereignty and there is extremity on the territory. It is provided for a lot of territory to be given. .However, in the end there are going to be negotiations. These are going to be discussed. The package is a whole in the end. We are going to evaluate it as a whole and if there is to be negotiations we are going to behave in such a manner so that the way for negotiations may be open.".

[10] Pro-Denktas VOLKAN newspaper calls on the Turkish Cypriots to "rise up", because the UN plan provides for the return of Greek Cypriot refugees to their homes

Meanwhile, Huseyin Macit Yusuf and Sabahattin Ismail, chairman and member of the World Council of the National People's Movement (NPM), described the UN plan as "trap and unacceptable".

Ignoring the fact that the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish settlers have been illegally living in the homes of the Greek Cypriots, who were made to leave them through the force of arms, and benefit from the Greek Cypriot properties since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Mr Yusuf and Mr Ismail alleged that the Turkish Cypriots would resist to the fact that they will become refugees for the third time.

[11] The new Turkish Parliament will convene tomorrow

The chairman of the Supreme Election Board, Tufan Algan, said that, with the final election results being sanctioned, the parliament would convene on November 14 at 3:00 pm. This was in accordance with parliamentary by-laws which require the new parliament to meet five days after polls had been declared, he said.

The JDP will dominate the new parliament, with 363 seats out of 550 in the Grand National Assembly. The Republican Peoples' Party (RPP) will return 178 deputies while there will be nine independents in Turkey's 22nd parliament.

[12] Angolemli: The UN plan was prepared with caution and sensitivity for both sides of Cyprus

Mr Angolemli said that the plan has not come into his hands yet and said that the information he has received until now came from the press. Mr Angolemli also said that the Turkish Cypriot side is running a bit late regarding the evaluation of the UN plan and stressed that the Greek Cypriot side has already started to evaluate the proposal. He added that if the Turkish Cypriots had a similar body, like the National Council of the Greek Cypriot side, they could have produced joint views regarding the UN plan.

[13] Sukru Sina Gurel: There are no problems on sovereignty in the UN plan

Commenting on the plan, Mr Gurel said that his first impression after the first reading of the plan is that there are similarities between the UN proposal and the Swiss and Belgian models. Mr Gurel stressed that a positive issue regarding the UN proposal is that the suggested model does not refer to the Turkish Cypriot community as a minority as in the 1960/s constitution.

[14] Four war vessels and the Turkish Chief of Staff will visit the occupied areas for the anniversary of the puppet regime

Releasing a statement, the occupation Forces Command said on Tuesday that General Ozkok was scheduled to meet with the illegal regime/s so-called Speaker Vehbi Zeki Serter and the so-called Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu.

General Ozkok will depart from the occupied areas after attending the ceremonies on November 15.

Meanwhile, four war vessels of the Turkish Naval Forces will illegally visit the occupied areas within the framework of the ceremonies. The vessels under the command of War Fleet Commander Admiral Erdal Bucak will arrive at occupied Kyrenia port on November 14.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[15] Ilnur Cevik on the UN plan for Cyprus

The day has come for the Turkish Cypriots to decide whether to make it or break it.

For more than three decades the Turkish Cypriots and their Greek Cypriot counterparts have been playing a chess game which at times had turned into shadow boxing. At times the Turkish Cypriots have been seen as uncompromising and at times the Greeks have openly acted intransigent.

But now we have come to the cross roads where no one can afford to play or side skirt the major issues and the decisions that are needed...

The United Nations has presented the two sides with a comprehensive proposal for a solution on the island, which has cornered the two sides.

The Turkish Cypriots are very happy that the U.N. has at last recognized their existence as a separate entity on Cyprus and is prepared to put this in black and white in a document which says the new Cyprus state will be comprised of "equal component states."

The Turkish Cypriots feel the document prepared by the U.N. is very close to their own proposals for the government system on Cyprus. They feel they have made major advancements with the document and also know that if they reject the document the Greek Cypriots and Athens may never again accept political equality between themselves and the Turks.

Turkish Cypriots are also happy that the document gives them proportional representation in the state system and veto power.

But they have serious concerns regarding land issues and the return of Greek refugees to their lands in northern Cyprus. The Turks who have traditionally been the farmers of the island are being asked to give up their fertile lands and live in a small enclave in the triangle between the Kyrenia mountains, Famagusta and Nicosia...

Turkish Cypriots also see the return of the Greeks Cypriots back to northern Cyprus as a destabilizing factor that may rekindle old animosities and want this to be a slower process.

So, the Turkish Cypriots are inclined to look at the document favourably but with serious reservations on land and refugee issues. They feel they are asked to give up too much to gain political equality. Now the question they have to answer is "are we prepared to pay this price?"

Turkey also feels the U.N. document is an improvement compared to all past U.N. documents and positions on Cyprus. But Ankara too feels there should be room for negotiations on land and refugee issues.

[16] Baykal insists that Erdogan should insult the national dignity of Greeks by visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus before going to Greece

Republican People's Party (RPP) leader Deniz Baykal believes that the conciliating understanding that the JDP [Justice and Development Party] and the (RPP) have been displaying since the 3 November elections will give its first test on the issue of limiting the political immunity of the deputies. Baykal believes that the JDP will make use of this issue in order to make the constitutional amendments that will enable JDP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to become a deputy. The equation that has been formed by Baykal regarding the political process ahead of us is as follows:

-- "There is a party leader who has remained party leader despite the fact that he was banned from participating in the elections. This party has won the majority of the seats in the parliament with more than 34 percent of the votes. The electors have voted for Erdogan despite the fact that he was banned from becoming a deputy. As a matter of fact, the crime that prevented him from becoming a deputy is no longer a crime. At this point, we see a conflict between the law and politics. It is possible to resolve this conflict by reforming the law. We are in favour of making legal arrangements that will enable Erdogan to become a deputy and prime minister.

-- "On the other hand, however, it is impossible to arrange the law in line with the personal needs of the individuals. This is why we do not agree to any amendments in Article 109 (the president appoints the prime minister) of the Constitution. This runs counter to the parliamentary system and it will bring about problems related to the regime.

-- "We are in favour of amending Article 76 that determines the criteria for being elected deputy, however. This does not merely concern Erdogan. For example, Murat Bozlak and Akin Birdal were also affected by this. The Constitution should ban people who have committed crimes such as terrorism, murder, fraud, and race from becoming deputies. Under these conditions, we will not face shameful situations such as the election of Fadil Akgunduz, who is wanted by the Interpol and who has submitted his candidacy in order to benefit from political immunity. The concept of political crime should be lifted.

-- "We have been extending our hand toward the JDP since the very first day. This conciliation understanding will be tested first on this issue, because we are saying that we should use this opportunity to take care of the political immunity issue. In addition to the fact that the issue of political immunity has been on Turkey's agenda for a long time, it is necessary to take care of this issue in order to ensure political morals in this country. Within the framework of the same package, let us also amend Articles 83 and 100 of the Constitution that prevent the deputies from standing trial. This way, let us remove this issue from Turkey's agenda. Political immunity should cover only the political activities of the deputies. This issue is included in the JDP's program, anyway. This is the real test."

Baykal is also in favor of amending Article 77 of the Constitution that determines that elections are held every five years. Noting that as in the past, elections should be held every four years, Baykal explained that this provision of the 12 September Constitution has never been implemented, because the social structure in Turkey is not suitable for this.

Given the fact that the JDP has 363 deputies, can the JDP not receive the support of several independent deputies and can it not amend the Constitution without the support of the RPP?

Baykal has already prepared the answer to this question: "Yes, but, under these conditions, discussion will once again be held on whether or not 'it is legitimate to make constitutional amendments with a majority of 34 percent.' They might make constitutional amendments without our support, but I would not advise this. Furthermore, I would not want Turkey to undergo such tension. We should make efforts to prevent this."

Baykal made part of these remarks during the "Cafe Politics" program, moderated by Mete Belovacikli and me and broadcast on the CNN Turk. He made the rest of these remarks during our conversations. He said something very interesting: "The JDP members wanted me to voice my views. Honourable Erdogan sent Cuneyt Zapsu and asked me questions. There is no doubt that you ask better questions. I hope that the JDP members at the party general headquarters have watched this program. This way they will have heard my views on this issue."

Subtitle: The Cyprus Warning

Baykal issued an additional warning to Erdogan. This warning is related to Cyprus. Baykal believes that Erdogan has adopted a line that runs counter to Turkey's national policy as a result of the pressure imposed by the EU countries.

Baykal said the following with regard to this issue: "Erdogan has good intensions. Within this framework, he has set a series of appointments abroad in order to hold meetings on the EU issue. The program of this visit constituted a problem, however. The person who will run Turkey should never conduct his first visit to Greece. There is no doubt that this rule can be broken, but if the representative of the government visits Greece before he visits Cyprus, he issues a symbolic message to the effect that 'he does not have to listen to Cyprus' views and that listening to Greece's views is enough for him.' Pressure from outside was imposed to prevent Erdogan from visiting Cyprus first. This is the first time that a party that has come to power sidetracks Turkey's basic foreign policies. The Foreign Ministry intervened. As a result, Italy will constitute Erdogan's first stop. He was supposed to visit Cyprus prior to Greece, but this visit was cancelled due to Denktas' health condition. I would sincerely advise Erdogan to visit Cyprus before Greece. He should visit Cyprus even if he will not be able to meet Denktas. He can meet with Eroglu. This is because if he insists on this line, he will lose in Cyprus more than what he will gain during his meetings with the Greek prime minister."

/SK

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