Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-11-25

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis meets Denktas in New York.

[02] YENI DUZEN notes that the Turkish Cypriots have the title deeds of only 14 % of Cyprus^Ò total territory.

[03] Turkish Cypriots do not have a say in Cyprus; Turkey does whatever it wants; Tension during a live programme of CNN TURK television.

[04] Turkish Prime Minister interviewed on political issues, EU, Iraq, Cyprus.

[05] Ertugrul Hasipoglu established a new political party.

[06] Voices against the Annan plan in the occupied area.

[07] New Turkish government welcomes Cyprus plan, says ready to work for EU.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish columnists against Rauf Denktas; the Turkish Cypriot leader has no intention to leave the hospital before 12 December.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis meets Denktas in New York

Yakis after his second meeting with Denktas said that he did not come to New York to discuss the plan with Denktas but just to wish him quick recovery and to brief him about the Justice and Development party^Òs (JDP) leader Tayyip Erdogan^Òs contacts in Turkey. We only exchanged ideas on the Plan, he conveyed his evaluation, and I did mine. More or less we do think the same things as regards the Plan^Ô

The Turkish Foreign minister had a meeting in New York with the USA Under Secretary of State Mark Grossman. After the meeting Grossman said that they are not the ones who would decide on Cyprus, however, he said we expect from the sides that they would respond positively.^Ô We do support the UN Secretary ^ÖGeneral^Òs Cyprus initiative^Ô Grossman concluded.

In his turn Yakis said that as Turkey they will extend every support to Denktas: "On the Cyprus problem, Esteemed Denktas is the one who will handle everything^Ô Yakis said.

Saying that the Plan contains points that do not satisfy the sides Yakis said: "Hovewer, if acted in good will it would be possible to meet at a half way^Ô.

Pointing out that it is Denktas who would decide when to reply to Annan, Turkish foreign minister Yakis said:^Ô The time limit has already expired .however, this is not God^Òs command, one or two days delay will not create any problem^Ô.

[02] YENI DUZEN notes that the Turkish Cypriots have the title deeds of only 14 % of Cyprus^Ò total territory

At the same time, the paper recalls that in the UN Secretary ^Ö General Kofi Annan^Òs plan for Cyprus, the territory proposed to remain in the Turkish Cypriot component state is 28.6 %.

[03] Turkish Cypriots do not have a say in Cyprus; Turkey does whatever it wants; Tension during a live programme of CNN TURK television

The paper writes that the hall was full of fanatic young people from Turkey who did everything in order to prevent a democratic discussion to be held and they were continuously disrupting the programme by shouting and booing, not letting those who supported a solution to speak.

In its front ^Ö page banner title the paper uses the words of a young Turkish Cypriot girl who shouted to the Turkish nationalists ^ÓThis is my land, let us talk, I do not want to emigrate after I graduate from school^Ô. Mr Mehmet Ali Birand was forced to abandon the room before the programme was over saying: ^ÓThis is Cyprus, I am closing the programme^Ô.

Meanwhile, ORTAM (23.11.02) writes that party leaders, so-called ^ÓMP^Òs^Ô and representatives of Non-governmental organizations also participated in the programme.

Communal Liberation Party leader, Huseyin Angolemli, Republican Turkish Party leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, Democratic Party ^ÓMP^Ô, Serdar Denktas and chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Ali Erel have expressed the opinion that the Annan plan must be accepted as a basis for negotiations.

Mr Serdar Denktas said that the plan will be accepted by the Turkish side as a basis for negotiations and expressed his concerns that if the plan is signed peace will not come to the island because there are segments in the society in both sides that do not accept it. He said that chaos and war could be the results of the acceptance of the plan as it is.

On the other hand, Mr Talat argued that chaos would be created in case an agreement was not reached until 11 December. Furthermore, Mr Erel pointed out that negotiations are usually conducted on the negotiating table and underlined that the Turkish side must negotiate the plan.

Meanwhile, YENI DUZEN (24.11.02) writes that before the programme pro-Denktas Nationalist People^Òs Movement^Òs coordinator, Mr Taner Etkin went to the ^ÓEMU^Ô and provoked the Turkish students together with Hasan Cici, one of the administrators of the illegal university.

Mr Etkin, continues YENIDUZEN, interfered in order that Turkish students were also admitted into the discussion room despite the fact that the programme aimed at viewing the opinion of the Turkish Cypriots, as the opinion of the Turks, the Greeks and the Greek Cypriots had been expressed in three programmes transmitted by CNN TURK before last Friday.

Noting that Mr Mehmet Ali Birand had been warned that he was about to be attacked, the paper underlines that the image that ^Ópersons close^Ô to Mr Rauf Denktas caused the provocation showed to the world that on the one hand the discussion of the Annan plan is prevented in the Turkish side and on the other hand the Turks have the say in Cyprus and not the Turkish Cypriots.

[04] Turkish Prime Minister interviewed on political issues, EU, Iraq, Cyprus

Asked, inter alia, whether he was surprised by Erdogan's impressive performance during his recent European tour as he was not known as a politician experienced in foreign policy issues, Gul says that just like his colleagues in the party, Erdogan is making efforts ahead of the EU summit in Copenhagen in order to pave the way for Turkey's accession, which he describes as an historical duty. Asserting that the European leaders were taken aback as they were expecting the AKP to take a religious stand similar to the one adopted by the defunct Welfare Party, Gul says: "There is a difference between the international perceptions about us and reality. Besides, there are very dissimilar perceptions. However, those perceptions change after they speak with us. They are now using other descriptions rather than portraying us as an Islamist party. Of course, we are preserving our identity and we have our own sensitivities, which are respected by everybody. What really counts is whether you are rational and can communicate with others. Your ideas may seem alien to other people, but this should not prevent us from talking the same language."

Asked whether they have devised a specific plan and set a timetable for lifting the prohibitions on Erdogan, Gul responds that they have no specific timetable, but that this issue is among their priorities. However, he points out, they have not formulated the strategy to be pursued during the legislative process.

Responding as to whether the possibility of Erdogan's assumption of premiership, should his bans be abolished, would undermine his credibility as prime minister, Gul comments: "I do not think so. We have already discussed all those issues. During my tenure as Prime Minister I will exercise my powers and authority fully. I have already reached a consensus with my colleagues about this matter. I will not be a rubber stamp Prime Minister, because that would undermine public support. None of us is acting in his or her own interests."

In the next part of the interview, which focuses on foreign policy issues, Koru asked Gul to express his opinions about the forthcoming EU summit to be held in Copenhagen and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan regarding Cyprus.

Gul comments that they are making every possible effort in order to ensure that the EU sets a timetable for starting accession talks with Turkey. He disclosed that they are planning to push through some bills in cooperation with the opposition in order to meet all the EU criteria. He said: "After pushing through those bills, we will step up our efforts in order to obtain a timetable, as they would not have any reason to claim that we still have shortcomings. Everybody knows that Turkey has reached a certain point and it will fulfil its obligations within a specific period. There is a clear political determination on our part to do everything necessary."

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Gul said that they are not rejecting Annan's plan out of hand. Gul noted that he outlined the government's stand in a recent telephone conversation with Annan and informed him that Turkey had some anxieties about the contents of the plan, particularly arising from his suggestion that a large number of Greek Cypriot displaced persons be settled in the Turkish Cypriot side, as, he argued, it could lead to communal violence. He said: "We are in favour of finding a peaceful solution to the dispute and we do not regard the current stalemate as a solution. We have certainly welcomed Mr. Annan's plan and we have displayed our positive attitude by saying that we are working on it."

Asked by Beki whether Erdogan's recent statement -- that the Cyprus question should be considered in the same package together with the ESDP and Turkey's accession to the EU -- represents a radical change in Turkey's policy on Cyprus and whether Erdogan had consulted the National Security Council (NSC) before making that proposal, Gul responds that Erdogan expressed his opinions in his capacity as JDP chairman. He pointed out that various issues will be taken up in the next NSC meeting scheduled for 29 November. He noted: "Of course, the NSC makes advisory decisions and the final action is taken by the executive. However, there is an historical background to those events. We are not fully familiar with those details and undoubtedly the military members of the NSC and our diplomats know more about their historical background. Presently, we are approaching the matter as politicians. We will certainly get detailed briefings. Frankly, we cannot assert that we can resolve this matter based on general information. What Erdogan is trying to emphasize is that we do not have prejudices and have taken a constructive and positive approach. Therefore, his statements were meaningful and found support."

[05] Ertugrul Hasipoglu established a new political party

In his statement, Hasipoglu said that the economic and political conditions in the occupied area pushed him into a new political formation, and called on all right-wing and social democratic sectors to unite under the same roof. Claiming that a structure that does not consider the future of the pseudostate came about because of the erroneous policies pursued until now, Hasipoglu declared that the Reformist Leap Party aims to correct this structure. The goal is to eliminate the existing political and economic structure that has condemned the people to poverty and unemployment; to institute a new political and economic structure that is based on nationalism, democracy, the supremacy of the law, and participation; and to join the EU along with a solution, he explained.

Commenting on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's solution plan, Hasipoglu said that this plan must definitely be negotiated, and even if it is to be rejected, the reasons for its rejection must be cited. The plan contains traps, he noted, adding that it is unacceptable for 60-70,000 Greek Cypriots to come to live among us.

[06] Voices against the Annan plan in the occupied area

Speaking on Saturday at the occupied Potamos and Limnitis villages, Mr Etkin alleged that Turkey^Òs Cyprus policy has not changed and added that the Annan plan ^Ódoes not promises a happy future to the Turkish Cypriots^Ô.

Meanwhile, addressing yesterday a meeting his party at occupied Assia village, the leader of the Nationalist Justice Party (JDP), Kenan Akin, who is a settler, described the Annan plan for Cyprus as ^ÓIndecent Proposal^Ô. NJP too organizes meetings at occupied villages against the plan.

[07] New Turkish government welcomes Cyprus plan, says ready to work for EU

But an acceptable solution in the island should ensure that Turkish national interests and rights of the Turkish Cypriots be guaranteed, Gul told Parliament while reading out his government's programme.

"Our government believes that a solution must definitely be found to the Cyprus issue," Gul said, adding, "Our government welcomes U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's undertaking to bring peace to Cyprus, and we foresee a negotiating phase for a lasting solution that guarantees our national interests and the Turkish people's existence and sovereignty on the island."

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's November 18 deadline to accept his plan, which proposes two component states reunited under a single central government, as a basis for negotiations passed without agreement from Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side.

Gul's remarks at the weekend indicated that negotiations based on the plan were still possible.

Greece and the Greek Cypriot side have agreed to negotiate Annan's plan that seeks a broad agreement by December 12, when the European Union meets in Copenhagen to set a date for Cyprus' entry to the bloc.

Although Turkey has still not officially endorsed Annan's blueprint, Gul's remarks to parliament indicated Turkey could agree to discuss the plan, presented earlier this month.

Officials from Gul's Justice and Development Party (JDP), which swept to power in an election earlier this month, have broken with previous governments by saying Turkey's own EU aspirations would be boosted if the decades-long stalemate on Cyprus were solved.

Brussels has said it will take in Cyprus a frontrunner in the bloc's enlargement plans, with or without a settlement.

Turkey hopes to win a date to begin membership talks with the bloc at the Copenhagen summit, and European leaders have said Turkey would improve its chances of winning a date if it cooperates on Cyprus.

Gul said the government regarded Turkey's eventual accession into the Union as a top foreign policy priority and that it was determined to fully meet membership criteria through further political reforms.

JDP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan finished the first lag of his tour to EU capitals last week and lobbied union leaders for support to Turkey's membership bid.

He is scheduled to start the second lag of his tour this week.

"EU membership of Turkey is one of our government's top priorities. Conducive to this end, efforts will be made to start accession talks with the EU after convincing the union that Turkey's membership is an essential element of the enlargement process," Gul said.

Gul also expressed willingness to continue in existing cooperation with the United States in the defence field and to extend the scope of the cooperation to cover economy, science and technology. Cooperation-based ties with Russia will be maintained, he added.

As for Greece, Gul said the economic cooperation with this country would be furthered in an attempt to create an atmosphere of trust that would help the resolution of more complicated problems faced in the political area.

The Turkish Prime Minister also pledged to take steps to improve long-ignored ties with Turkic republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as the Arab world.

Gul said the government was worried over the uncertainty in neighbouring Iraq and added that it attached utmost importance to the preservation of territorial integrity and political unity of Iraq.

"Disintegration of Iraq would change balances in the Middle East," he said and called on the Iraqi administration to fully abide by the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and disarm.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish columnists against Rauf Denktas; The Turkish Cypriot leader has no intention to leave the hospital before 12 December

AFRIKA writes that Mr Cuneyt Ulsever of HURRIYET has noted, inter alia, the following: ^Ó^ÅDenktas, who has now seen that the administration will be taken away from him, is doing everything he can to avoid Annan^Òs plan. While he is on his sickbed, he is not even appointing a representative and the Cyprus people read from New York what he thinks about the plan. As it is understood, he has no intention of abandoning his sickbed until 12 December^Ô.

Haluk Sahin of RADIKAL writes, inter alia, the following: ^Ó^ÅIt is alleged that Denktas is exerting psychological pressure on Erdogan, including the threat that he would not return to the island as Erdogan says that he would change the status quo in foreign policy and supports the negotiations^Å^Ô.

Mrs Perihan Magden of RADIKAL notes, inter alia, the following: ^Ó^ÅIf you ask the indigenous Turkish Cypriots and not the fascists brought into Cyprus from various places of Anatolia, absolutely everyone will tell you that he supports the solution of the Cyprus problem, the accession to the EU, living together with the Greek Cypriots and a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Cyprus^Ô.

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