Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-12-04

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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 British and Americans race against time to satisfy the demands of Turkey in view of a possible operation against Iraq.

[02] Statements by Jack Straw in Ankara. Great Britain wants an agreement in principle before Copenhagen.

[03] The draft Turkish Cypriot reply to Annan/s Plan will be sent to Denktas today.

[04] The Turkish occupation army is propagating against the UN Plan for a solution of the Cyprus problem.

[05] The terrorist TMT organization declared that permission cannot be "granted" to the Greek Cypriots to settle between the Turkish Cypriots.

[06] "Yes to peace, no to the UN Plan" demonstration is going to take place on the 10th of December in occupied Nicosia.

[07] The puppet regime to take part in the World Championship organized by the Non-FIFA Board.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Columnist notes that the number of the Turkish Cypriots who emigrated since 1974 until today is ten times higher than the number of those who emigrated during the period 1955 - 74.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The British and Americans race against time to satisfy the demands of Turkey in view of a possible operation against Iraq

Straw held a press conference with Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis after his meeting with Justice and Development Party (JDP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Noting that they discussed the legal amendments in the Constitution with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Erdogan, Straw said that a total of three different constitutional amendments were fulfilled in three different terms in Turkey. He added that a total of 32 amendments were found in the package which was presented earlier in the day, and it is an impressive development.

Straw said that they will carry on holding contacts for Turkey`s receiving a positive decision at meetings of the Council of Europe.

Noting that they evaluated the Cyprus question and the Cyprus Plan, Straw said that the plan is the best opportunity for both sides to live in prosperity and stability.

Straw said that they are expecting a rapid development in United Nations` Cyprus Plan until the Copenhagen Summit and that nine days were quite a long time for solution to the Cyprus question.

Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis and British Foreign Secretary Straw held a joint press conference following their meeting.

Speaking at the press conference, Straw said that the issues of Turkey`s European Union (EU) full membership process, the EU`s Copenhagen Summit, the solution plan of the United Nations about Cyprus, the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), and Iraq were taken up at his contacts in Ankara.

Recalling that the solution plan of the United Nations was a great opportunity for the sides in Cyprus to solve the Cyprus question which could not be solved for 30 years, Straw said that the plan included satisfactory proposals for the both sides.

Straw said that he hoped the sides would seize this rare opportunity.

When asked whether or not a concrete progress could be recorded in Cyprus till the Copenhagen Summit, Straw said that nine days were quite a long time, and they needed nothing but political will.

Responding a question about the issue of Iraq, Straw said that if Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein abided by the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, a military operation would not be required.

Straw noted that a Bilateral Action Plan worth of annual 3 million U.S. dollars was put into practice between Turkey and Britain, and added that they would give priority to fight against illicit drug trafficking.

Istanbul NTV television (03.12.02) broadcast from Ankara that the US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz and US Deputy Secretary of State Marc Grossman today began their contacts in Ankara by holding a meeting with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. Noting that the issues of Iraq and the economy were discussed at the meeting, Wolfowitz said that the United States favors the solution of the Iraqi problem through peaceful means.

Nermin Yurteri reported the following on the developments:

"This important meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office lasted about an hour. After the meeting, Wolfowitz made a statement to the media. Noting that an extremely constructive and positive meeting was held with Gul, Wolfowitz said that the main topic, as expected, was iraq. He continued: We discussed many issues, and we especially dwelt on the issue of Iraq. We want the elimination of mass destruction weapons. We are seeking a peaceful solution to the Iraqi problem, however we are following Saddam Husayn very closely. He further noted that Turkey has a very important role in the solution of this problem in the region.

Another item on the agenda was the EU, Turkey's full membership in the EU. Noting that the United States has always supported efforts on the issue and that it will continue to do so in the future as well, Wolfowitz added: A very important summit is ahead of us. Turkey is expecting a certain decision from the Copenhagen Summit. We will do all in our power to support Turkey.

Another item on the meeting's agenda was Cyprus. Wolfowitz said that efforts are being exerted for the just solution of the problem.

Questions were also asked especially on expectations from Turkey in the event an operation is launched against Iraq. Wolfowitz recalled that intense meetings were held between the Turkish and US the military and diplomatic wings during the term of the previous government. He added that basically the Untied States favors a solution through peaceful means and that it is closely monitoring Saddam Husayn. He continued: However, no one should play games on this issue. We are serious, so is the world. We want to solve the issue through peaceful means. President Bush, however, has announced that one can resort to force as a last alternative.

The last item on the agenda was the developments in the Turkish economy. Wolfowitz said that they are aware that a possible operation will adversely affect the Turkish economy, adding: We are doing all we can to enable Turkey to come out of the crisis. We will continue to do so in the future as well. We will do all in our power to prevent Turkey from being adversely affected by this crisis and in the aftermath of a possible operation. We will do all in our power to diminish the adverse affects. These are the details of the meeting and the statement made in its aftermath."

[02] Statements by Jack Straw in Ankara. Great Britain wants an agreement in principle before Copenhagen

Straw replied to questions by NTV's Ankara representative Murat Akgun. Straw said that a negotiation date must be given to Turkey at the Copenhagen summit. He declared: Britain wants a clear date to be given to Turkey, but it is not possible to tell at present if a definite date will emerge from Copenhagen. There are 15 candidate countries. This is what I say to my European colleagues: If Turkey was such a good NATO member, why would it not be a good EU member?

Recalling that Turkey is an EU candidate country, Straw said that everyone must realize that the negotiations with Turkey will begin in a short time and Turkey will become a full EU member.

Straw also commented on the JDP [Justice and Development Party] government: Turkey is a part of Europe. Its future is linked to Europe, and vice versa. The JDP came to power through democratic elections. They may be Muslims, and I am a Christian. It is said that the government is an Islamist one, but a modern government has been established in Turkey. One must look at the steps they are taking.

On the subject of Cyprus, Straw issued warnings: The plan of the UN Secretary- General constitutes an important opportunity for a peaceful solution. We must exploit this opportunity. A window of opportunity has opened. This window will close on 13-14 December.

The British Secretary claimed that if an agreement in principle is reached on Cyprus, the other disagreements could be resolved in time. The important thing is to determine the general framework, Straw remarked. He said that a linkage should not be established between the Cyprus issue and Turkish-EU relations.

Pointing out that the work on the European Security and Defense Policy is continuing, Straw gave important messages with regard to Iraq. He said: Following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1441, the possibility of war decreased. Nevertheless, it is Saddam Husayn who will make the choice. He should not play games. He should surrender the weapons. We, in turn, must undertake the necessary preparations.

[03] The draft Turkish Cypriot reply to Annan/s Plan will be sent to Denktas today

Olgun noted that parties represented at the pseudo-assembly, namely Republican Turkish Party, Communal Liberation Party and Nationalist Justice Party, were asked to present their views in writing as regards the Annan Plan. "We want to include their views and thoughts in the draft text that we will send to Denktas", Olgun said.

In a statement on the subject, Olgun said that it is not possible to say anything at present on the content of the letter. The possibility of a meeting between Denktas and President Glafcos Clerides at the invitation of the UN Secretary-General will be discussed after Denktas returns to the "TRNC", Olgun stated.

Asked to comment on certain reports that the 12 December Copenhagen summit, which will endorse the EU candidacy of 10 countries, may be referred to the Salonika summit to be held in 2003 under Greece's presidency, Olgun said that the decision to emerge on 12 December will be decisive in terms of the continuation of the negotiation process launched by the UN Secretary-General. Olgun pointed out that the postponement of the 12 December decision to a later date will greatly contribute to the Cyprus issue. If the EU accession process is endorsed on 12 December, Olgun claimed, any negotiation process after that would be meaningless. He said:

"With this new advantage, the Greek Cypriots will in no way allow the factors that are against the Turkish Cypriot side to be changed. Therefore, 12 December is very important in terms of bringing about an atmosphere of sound negotiations with a view to attaining a viable agreement and instituting a healthy balance by eliminating the many existing disadvantages for the Turkish Cypriot side. Naturally, postponing this to a later date would greatly contribute to the Cyprus issue -- if there is such a possibility."

In reply to another question, Olgun remarked that granting Turkey a date for entry negotiations would be an appropriate decision, adding that this would significantly contribute to Cyprus. Stressing that this is very important in terms of the balances in Cyprus, Olgun said that in addition to constituting one of the sides to the Cyprus problem, Turkey is also one of the main elements in the equation. If Greece and Cyprus are to be incorporated into the European system, Olgun noted, keeping Turkey out of this equation for a long time would be a negative factor within this logic. Consequently, he added, the faster Turkey's process and the more synchronized link with Cyprus, the more beneficial it will be. Olgun alleged that this is also a legal requirement stemming from the 1960 agreements.

On Denktas' health, Olgun said that the Turkish Cypriot leader may return to the island within one week, but his definite return date depends on the developments pertaining to his health. He said that he had a telephone conversation with Denktas and that he had been told by Denktas that time to travel to Cyprus is getting close.

[04] The Turkish occupation army is propagating against the UN Plan for a solution of the Cyprus problem

According to Mr Izcan, this team of military officers, tour around the villages where the majority is Turkish settlers and call them out for resistance against the UN plan. They are also trying to persuade them to participate in demonstrations against the UN Plan. Mr Izcan stressed that the actions of these army bureaucrats, which were appointed in Cyprus by Ankara, aimed to torpedo the efforts made for a solution in Cyprus.

Mr Izcan also pointed out that a solution in the Cyprus problem is necessary, under the recent developments in the world and in the region, and said that there is no place for the efforts made by the Ankara diplomacy and the Turkish occupation army which is in Northern Cyprus, to make this solution impossible.

[05] The terrorist TMT organization declared that permission cannot be "granted" to the Greek Cypriots to settle between the Turkish Cypriots

According to a statement made by the chairman of the TMT, Yilmaz Bora, the UN Plan must fulfill certain aspects in order to be accepted. Inter alia he said that the plan must reassure clearly the so-called sovereignty and equality of the puppet regime, and stressed that the settling of the Greek Cypriots between the Turkish Cypriots is against these two principles.

Commenting on the International forces that will be in Cyprus after a solution is signed, the chairman of the TMT said that the Turkish Cypriots cannot rely on them and stressed that the Turkish active and law protection in Cyprus must continue. The TMT organization also stated that it continues to support the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas.

[06] "Yes to peace, no to the UN Plan" demonstration is going to take place on the 10th of December in occupied Nicosia

[07] The puppet regime to take part in the World Championship organized by the Non-FIFA Board

YENIDUZEN reports that the so-called chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot Football Federation" Mr Omer Adal confirmed the repot and said that they have answered positively to the invitation. However, he said, since in case of a settlement they will be the part of the component state and as such they will take their seat at the FIFA, for this reason they have decided to suspend this invitation. Adal concluded by saying that in case the peace negotiations fail they will respond positively to the invitation.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Columnist notes that the number of the Turkish Cypriots who emigrated since 1974 until today is ten times higher than the number of those who emigrated during the period 1955 - 74

".Our people have to earn their living. Hakan Gulseven of RADIKAL watched that magnificent meeting in Cyprus during his few-days/ visit. Afterwards he went to Pyla and wrote something about the Turkish Cypriots who work in the South. I have nothing to say regarding his article. However, I have something to say to the administrators of Turkey who have read this article in RADIKAL. The Turkish people too must know these things.

They say that Turkey saved the Turkish Cypriots in 1974. We have to address the following question to those who think like this: Do these people know that the number of the Turkish Cypriots who emigrated for the fear of the Greek Cypriots and the TMT oppression between 1955 until the July of 1974, which they call freedom day, is smaller than the one tenth of the number of those who emigrated from 1974 until today? What kind of liberation is this, if it led our people into this situation making them to work for the Greek Cypriots, who as they say, are our enemies? Indeed our people who do this earn five times more money than a worker from Turkey who does the same job.

All the Turkish Cypriots who work in the south have all kind of social securities, because this is obligatory. In the south everybody has to abide by the rule of law. Hakan Gulseven has fulfilled his duty by informing the public opinion. I would expect him also to ask questions to the administrators. No one asked about the plight we have brought Morphou to, which remained in northern Cyprus, after the Turkish Cypriots were saved(!). I remember very well the period after 1974. The administrators were saying that they would turn northern Cyprus into an exemplary place, which would have a good economy and democracy. 28 years later this place is the shop window of Turkey. It is a state the banks and the economy of which have gone bankrupt, a state full of public servants, which does not produce. It only consumes. It is an exemplary state the population of which emigrates. .

It is a paradise of gambling places and illegal and cheap labour without social insurances. There is a president who has forced us to go bankrupt and he is going to do the same to you. There are also the ruins he has created. The name is TRNC. It is a country, which makes no concessions from its sovereignty and it is an example for a full democracy!!! Hakan Ulsever, why don't you ask the administrators of Turkey: 'Should the name of the example have been slavery?".

/SK

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