Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-11-28

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas: Territorial arrangements in the plan is a ^ÓRezillik^Ô (scandal).

[02] HURRIYET: ^ÓConditional yes to the UN plan.^Ô

[03] The objections of the office of the Chief of the Turkish General Staff.

[04] Denktas continues his delaying tactics.

[05] Turkish Prime Minister says that UN Plan is negotiable.

[06] De Soto met Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.

[07] Denktas´ adviser leaves New York for Turkey to discuss the plan.

[08] Erdogan says Cyprus plan negotiable.

[09] Turkish Cypriots hold a mass rally in favour of the Cyprus settlement.

[10] Turkish businessmen believe that the Cyprus problem must be solved now.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas: Territorial arrangements in the plan is a ^ÓRezillik^Ô (scandal)

Question: The most important thing is your health. How do you feel? What are the doctors saying?

Answer: I feel good. I would have returned by now if it was not for the problem of drainage and white cells. The doctors are trying to fix this. I am being discharged from the hospital today. I hope that everything will be fixed by the middle of next week. I wish and pray for this.

Question: When will you come back to Cyprus?

Answer: In the event that the drainage decreases, the doctors hope that I can return by the middle of next week, Thursday or Friday. Of course, it all depends on the drainage and white cells. The last time, as well, I was on the point of returning to the island, but it was not meant to be. We have to, therefore, continue in patience.

Question: Everybody is curious to know about your thoughts on Kofi Annan's plan. There are reports that you will send a letter to Annan saying that you will accept the plan as a basis for negotiations. Is this true? What is your stand?

Answer: Kofi Annan sent letters to both sides. He asked the sides that they report to him what they did not like in the plan until 30 November. This is exactly what we want. In order for this [plan] to be accepted as a basis, those parts which are unsuitable to us should be changed. We are ready to negotiate to this end. It was not said, therefore, that the plan was accepted as a basis. Both I and Mr Clerides will report to Annan on what we think is right and what is unjust until 30 November. Annan, in turn, will later submit the documents to both sides and tell us that we should now settle the issues between us. This is what we understand. We have already started to make preparations in this regard.

Question: What is really your stand? Will you accept this plan as a basis for negotiations?

Answer: In order for this plan to constitute a basis for negotiations, those points undesirable to us have to be discussed. In order for this plan to be brought on the negotiation table where it will constitute a basis for negotiations, these points have to be discussed. The rights given to Turkey and to the Turkish Cypriots in 1960 have been completely disregarded, mainly the issue of territories. I think that there are lots of points that have to be changed. We can discuss this, however. That is, we can discuss what changes have to be made in order to have a basis. The most important thing is that they are trying to create one nation out of two nations. This, in turn, is against the 1960 agreements. There are two states and two national people.

Question: Mr Denktas, I would like to ask you about the traps you have been talking about because the impression has been given as though Denktas does not want this plan. What is the truth?

Answer: My duty is to defend the elements in the national cause that we always tell the Turkish people and the Turkish Cypriots. This is a partnership based on two states and two sovereignties. First, is this in the plan and can it be included? Secondly, nobody can accept the scandalous (rezillik) arrangement on territories. This is impossible. They do not know Cyprus and the Cypriot people. They want to do the same thing in Cyprus they did in Africa when it was divided into five and ten parts with a ruler. This is the reason why the clashes in Africa are still continuing. I want peace, a lasting peace. I seek a peace based on the basis of two national entities where cooperation can be secured. I do not want to eliminate the basis of 1960. Turkey will, certainly, protect its rights. These rights, in turn, are also our guarantee. We are careful about these points. If there will be a change of policy, it should be told to everybody and everybody will, take their measures.

Question: Actually, at first sight, the equal sovereignty you have been maintaining for 28 years seems to be secured. As you said, however, there are other points as well. What is your expectation of the future?

Answer: Whether this document can constitute a basis for negotiations will become clear when both sides will put forward what they want to change. Let us, then, put forward our changes. Everybody will see them. Later, negotiations will start to change what the Greek Cypriots did not like and what we did not like. Work will be carried out to this end. The necessary measures will be taken, however, if there is a ploy to have us committed until 12 December because the EU will set a date for Turkey.

Question: There are reports that you prepared a draft document. Is this true?

Answer: I do not know what is the source of these reports. There is no such thing. We are only explaining to diplomats, and I will be meeting with a US diplomat now, those parts in the plan that are detrimental and unacceptable to the Turkish Cypriot side.

Question: You will be meeting with Marc Grossman soon.

Answer: NO. Mr Grossman cannot come, Weston will come instead.

Question: What will you say to Weston?

Answer: I will try to explain to Weston the injustices, blows, and plots against the Turkish Cypriots in the plan.

Question: There is the impression that time is short.

Answer: There have been efforts, for the past 40 years, to put pressure on us to make us accept unacceptable things by claiming that it is the last chance. Until now, we reached this stage without any harm because we know why and how we should defend our cause. There are no last chances in negotiations. We are not escaping from negotiations. We can continue the negotiations with Clerides. Let them not try to have us accept things that are unacceptable to both sides. This is all we want. The UN Secretary-General's letter calling on us to tell him what we do not like and what we want changed is a positive invitation. Once these issues are clarified, it will become clear whether the document can constitute a basis.^Ô

[02] HURRIYET: ^ÓConditional yes to the UN plan^Ô

The paper does not mention the content of Denktas´ Draft text.

[03] The objections of the office of the Chief of the Turkish General Staff

1. MAPS: The maps submitted in the plan envisage return to the line of 20/7/1974 first operation line. This, from the security point of view of the Turkish Cypriot people, could create drawbacks.

2. NUMBER OF TROOPS: The plan envisages a Turkish Armed Forces presence of under 10000.This is another drawback as regards the security.

3. LAND DIVISION: If one examines the division of the land presented in the plan, the land demanded from the Turkish side has very important strategic importance. In addition to Morphou which is the major water resource for the ^ÓTRNC^Ô, ceding the Karpass peninsula to the Greek Cypriot side will create serious ^Óstrategic weaknesses^Ô both to the Turkish Cypriots as well as to Turkey.

4. MIGRATION ISSUE: Migration from the south to the north will create serious social problems. Who will guarantee that this migration would not turn into a social conflict in the future?

5. GUARANTORSHIP: If one studies the technical side of the security aspect of the plan, it is noted that Turkey^Òs guarantor ship has been watered down (weakened). This creates vital drawbacks for the Turkish Cypriot people.

[04] Denktas continues his delaying tactics

Question: How are you, Mr Denktas? We wish you a speedy recovery. You were released from hospital today. How are you?

Answer: I am well. I believe I have to stay here for another five-10 days before they remove the drains. That is, the treatment will continue at the hotel now. I am well, however. My health is good and I can work. Thank you for your concern.

Question: We wish you a speedy recovery. We have received reports that you sent a reply letter to Annan. Did you really send a letter to Annan?

Answer: Yes, I sent the letter. As you know, from the beginning we said that this plan could not constitute a basis for negotiations and that there are several articles that should be changed. I believe that the Greek Cypriot side also gave a response along these lines because Annan's last letter said that both sides should submit their reservations until 30 November. The letter asked the sides to make known their comments, requests, and the changes they want, adding that the responses will be submitted to the other side. In this way, he said, the negotiations can start in order for the changes in the plan to be made. This is what we wanted from the beginning.

Question: What is the content of your letter?

Answer: The following is what I said in the letter: ^ÓWe are ready to discuss and negotiate on your document in line with the reservations you already know.^Ô As you know, in line with the invitation we received yesterday, both sides will make known what they did not like and the changes they want. Annan, in turn, will give these to the other side. In this way, the negotiations can start on whether this document can be a basis for conciliation. That is, we have not accepted anything, we only said that we can talk and discuss these views. We are constantly conveying to the UN Secretary-General's assistants, de Soto, and other diplomats our objections and they are quite important.

Question: In the message you conveyed did you say that this plan can be discussed?

Answer: Negotiations in order to render this plan a basis for agreement. This is a very important point. The UN Secretary-General is also saying that both sides have great reservations. He, himself, accepts that this plan cannot be a basis and a foundation. For it to be a foundation, both sides should talk about their reservations and settle them. We said so from the first day. We can discuss it, however, it is impossible to accept it as a basis. We are ready to negotiate in order to make the document a basis for agreement. We can negotiate and look into the proposals.

Question: Something like 15 days is left before the Copenhagen summit. Do you think that the Cyprus process can be completed by 12 December? What do you think?

Answer: I think that it cannot be completed. A lot of things have to change before it can be completed. The Greek Cypriot side also said that this issue cannot be resolved until 12 December. I believe, consequently, that a date will be given in Copenhagen after taking into consideration the stands of the two sides. Nobody, however, should put the pressure on us by setting a date if they really seek an agreement acceptable to both sides.

Question: You are part of these negotiations for years and have exerted great efforts in this regard. On the one hand, there is the EU issue, on the other, the government is exerting intensive efforts to get a date for accession talks. How do these developments look to you from where you are in New York?

Answer: What we see are the efforts to receive a date for accession talks. We will see on 12 December whether a date will be set and whether there is a trick being played on the Cyprus issue. We will take measures according to the emerging picture.

Question: What kind of a picture do you see?

Answer: I do not want to comment on this. Turkey is exerting great efforts. The Americans here are also saying that they are trying to help. We know that Turkey received positive responses from several EU countries. We, consequently, want what the motherland wants, but we also do not want to be forced into accepting unacceptable conditions, which are our national cause.

[05] Turkish Prime Minister says that UN Plan is negotiable

Addressing his party group meeting in the Turkish parliament, Gul said that November 3 elections were a turning point for Turkish politics. The national will brought the Justice and Development Party (JDP) to power on its own, he said.

Abdullah Gul, inter alia, noted that Cyprus was a national issue. Gul stated that they had no prejudice for the solution of the problem. He said that they found positive the step which was taken by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and that the UN plan was ^Ónegotiable^Ô.

Gul said: ^ÓIt does not mean that we have no concern and we accept the plan as it is. We say that meetings related to the issue can be held. We want Turkish Cypriot people in the ´TRNC´ and their future to be taken under guarantee. We do not want the incidents which took place in the beginning of 1970s to occur again. We want the continuation of Turkey^Òs guarantor rights. We believe the model including a single state with two sovereignties is an accurate model. Our concerns should also be removed for this model to be lasting. We believe the meetings related to the issue will be held in the coming days.^Ô

[06] De Soto met Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal

De Soto met with Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ambassador Ugur Ziyal.

After the meeting, de Soto said to the journalists that they had discussed some important issues in detail.

Noting that they wanted the sides to take some certain steps prior to Copenhagen Summit to be open on December 12, 2002, de Soto said that they expected the sides to convey their criticisms and proposals till Saturday, (30.11.02).

Pointing out that they would assess the proposals of the sides, de Soto said that if there were not serious differences between the proposals of the sides, then they would try to reach a compromise as soon as possible, and added that if there were serious differences in the proposals, they would try to set up a bridge between the two sides.

Stressing that Annan had tried to take into consideration main concerns and benefits of the sides while preparing the plan, de Soto called on the sides not to miss such an opportunity.

De Soto who is scheduled to depart from Turkey tomorrow morning, will hold a series of contacts in Greek capital Athens on Friday.

Alvaro de Soto stressed that negotiations between the sides in Cyprus should be resumed as soon as possible.

Furthermore the A.A. quoting diplomatic sources said that de Soto noted at the meeting that they wanted the sides to resume their dialogue without losing time, and proposed some alternatives including shuttle diplomacy.

Highlighting the importance of taking some concrete steps till Copenhagen Summit on December 12, 2002, de Soto said that they would expend efforts to meet proposals of Rauf Denktas about the solution plan of the United Nations.

Meanwhile, the Turkish side expressed its desire to reach a comprehensive and urgent solution, and conveyed its difficulties about time.

[07] Denktas´ adviser leaves New York for Turkey to discuss the plan

Denktas´ adviser Ergun Olgun replied to the questions of Ahmet Yesiltepe. Olgun who left New York for Turkey in a bid to clarify the reservations of the Turkish Cypriot side on the plan, said: ^ÓThe Turkish Cypriot side informed in writing the UN Secretary-General on Monday 25 November evening that it is ready to discuss the UN document known as the Annan plan.^Ô In a statement he made to NTV at the Turkish House in New York, Olgun said that they have certain reservations on the UN document, adding: ^ÓWe will convey these reservations in detail to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan by Saturday 30 November.^Ô

When asked to comment on latest developments on the Annan Plan, Denktas´ adviser Ergun Olgun said: ^ÓMoreover, today, we, as the Turkish Cypriot side, replied to the first letter of the Secretary-General which contained his views. We said that we are ready to discuss the plan. There are certain negative points within the package. Certain factors are far from appeasing the concerns and answering the interests of the Turkish Cypriot side. We have said that we are ready to discuss the document in order to find out whether these points can be brought closer to our requests.^Ô

While he was leaving the hotel in which Mr Rauf Denktas is staying, Olgun said that he will go to Ankara to discuss the UN document in a more detailed manner. He stressed that the points which the Turkish Cypriot side wants to be changed in the document will be discussed with the Turkish foreign minister.

Olgun said: ^ÓAt the moment, I am returning to Ankara in a bid to continue our work there. Work will be conducted on the second preparatory letter submitted by the UN Secretary-General. I am returning to Ankara on the instructions of Denktas. God willing, he will also be returning next week.

The ^ÓTRNC government^Ô has announced that it will discuss the UN document known as the Annan plan. Now a new period begins. The sides will have to inform the United Nations by the evening of 30 November on the points over which they have reservations. The official negotiation process on the Cyprus issue is about to begin.

[08] Erdogan says Cyprus plan negotiable

Erdogan who met earlier in the day with President Jacques Chirac of France, held a press conference at the Turkish Embassy in Paris, France.

When asked whether or not the Cyprus question was brought onto the agenda of the meeting, Erdogan said that the issue was not taken up.

Responding to another question, Erdogan said: ``^ÔWe consider the solution plan which was presented to the sides in Cyprus by United Nations Secretary-General Annan negotiable. The plan has both positive and negative aspects. However, it is an unfortunate period as I said before. Negotiations in Cyprus cannot be resumed till Copenhagen Summit on December 12 due to the health problems of Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktas and formation of a new government in Turkey. We are in favour of reaching a fair and lasting solution in the island.``

[09] Turkish Cypriots hold a mass rally in favour of the Cyprus settlement

According to the papers, fifteen thousand people gathered in the central square of occupied Nicosia. The participants were waving flags of Turkey, ^ÓTRNC^Ô and EU and they were also chanting slogans like: ^ÓThe peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented^Ô, ^ÓDenktas must return to the negotiation table^Ô, ^ÓLet^Òs solve the Cyprus problem, let^Òs join the EU^Ô and ^ÓWe do not want to emigrate from Cyprus^Ô.

The Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Trade, Mr Ali Erel, and the Secretary General of the Turkish Cypriot Labour Unions Confederation, Mr Ahmet Barcin, addressed the rally. The speakers called on the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas to respond positively to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan^Òs plan on Cyprus. They also declared that it is essential to find a solution in Cyprus before the EU Copenhagen summit on 12 December. Stressing that the Greek Cypriots should not be allowed to join the EU by themselves, they noted the importance of reaching a solution as soon as possible and joining the EU together. They also added that the Turkish Cypriots do not want to emigrate from the island and that this can be achieved by joining the EU after the Cyprus settlement that will satisfy everyone.

Only YENIDUZEN, ORTAM, AFRIKA, KIBRIS and KIBRISLI newspapers cover the rally under the following front page headlines:

YENIDUZEN: ^ÓNo need to say more^Ô

ORTAM: ^ÓSolution and EU^Ô

AFRIKA: ^Ó15 thousand people said ´Solution and EU´^Ô

KIBRIS: ^ÓThe Turkish Cypriots have decided: ´Solution and EU´^Ô

KIBRISLI: ^ÓThe rally for peace and hope^Ô

On the other hand, HALKIN SESI, BIRLIK and VATAN downplay the rally and report the event in their inside pages. Meanwhile, strongly pro-Denktas paper VOLKAN reports that the rally was a fiasco and that the Turkish Cypriot teachers, who are members of the Turkish Republican Party, had forced their students to take part in the rally. It also gives emphasis to the activities of the Nationalist Justice Party (NJP), which held a meeting at the occupied village of Aheritou with the slogan, ^ÓYes to EU and the solution but No to UN plan^Ô.

The so-called Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, when asked to comment on the rally, said that the rally was a democratic action, but they must also examine the package of the UN plan.

Commenting on the same issue, the so-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister of the pseudostate, Mr Tahsin Ertugruloglu, said that some people are misinforming the Turkish Cypriots, are directing them and are trying to exploit them for their political aims. He also added that the children that had participated in the rally cannot evaluate the UN plan and that the participants in the rally did not represent the Turkish Cypriots.

[10] Turkish businessmen believe that the Cyprus problem must be solved now

^ÓNow there is a strong-willed and determined administration. If the Cyprus problem is to be solved the time for it is now. If it is not solved now it will be continuing for another 10 - 20 years. We shall go to Copenhagen and try hard to use the opportunity in order to take something. If we achieve this, we shall be very happy^Ô.

Meanwhile, Mr Rifat Hisarciklioglu, chairman of Turkey^Òs Union of Chambers and Stock Markets (TOBB), said yesterday that he did not consider the Cyprus problem as an obstacle in the way of Turkey^Òs path towards the EU, but ^Óthe Cyprus problem must also be solved^Ô.

Mr Hisarciklioglu made the above statement at Istanbul^Òs Ataturk Airport on his way to Brussels together with a 225 member delegation, aiming at promoting Turkey^Òs EU accession.

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