Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-01-17

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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 speaker of the TGNA assesses his illegal visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[02] Eroglu in Ankara. He says the aim of the talks is to protect Turkey/s rights.

[03] Cooperation between Turkey and the pseudostate in the Coastal and Aviation Search and Rescue was approved by TGNA Committee.

[04] Turkish Cypriot political Party leaders met with Ambassadors accredited to Cyprus.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat described as unfortunate the recent statements of Bulent Arinc.

[06] The Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press deals with the case of Umit Inatci who has been appointed Cultural Attache at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus to London.

[07] Parliament adopts NSC law amendment.

[08] Turkish claims about military build-up in the free areas in order to influence the Turkish Cypriots.

[09] Turkey's population expected to reach 90 million in 2023.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] The key to a solution on Cyprus.

[11] The Turkish side continues its integration policy in Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The speaker of the TGNA assesses his illegal visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus

The interviewer asks Arinc to comment on his visit. He recalls that he headed a 20-member parliamentary delegation to north Cyprus to hold talks with the Turkish Cypriot so-called officials and representatives of political parties and civilian organizations. Stressing that they toured various parts of north Cyprus to become familiar with the island, he notes that the visit created an opportunity for them to establish the hopes and expectations of the Turkish Cypriots. He asserts: "We will call on President Sezer and receive Prime Minister Gul to inform them of our views. Many things have to be done. We observed a movement toward political instability. Meanwhile, a symposium will be held on Cyprus in the parliament tomorrow. It is organized by the Parliamentary Union. `Prime Minister/ Dervis Eroglu arrived in Turkey today. He will address the convocation. I, too, will address the meeting. Furthermore, Cyprus will be taken up at a panel discussion organized by the Ankara Chamber of Commerce on Saturday [18 January]. However, the government has to maintain an active policy on the problem. It has to be informed on how to make positive contributions toward the `TRNC/. It also has to be informed on the need for a positive approach in the talks."

The interviewer asks Arinc whether he was influenced more by the political parties or the people. He recalls the establishment of the "TRNC" and the struggle the Turkish Cypriots waged for many years and notes: "North Cyprus suffers from an economic embargo. It is a small country recognized only by Turkey. The other countries maintain their embargo on it. Planes do not land at its airports, it has no trade volume, and its imports and exports are through Turkey. We have nearly 40,000 troops there. Peace exists on the island. Considering that, a very effective negotiations process should have been maintained on the Annan plan. It should have been signed after it was revised. It should have been signed if it was believed to be useful. But we observed that certain preparations were made even before the plan was disclosed. Strong claims were made to the effect that it should be signed without its contents being considered so that the train to the EU will not be missed. The Cyprus problem has continued for at least 40 years. The question of security is important. Turkey's guarantee is important. A bizonal solution based on equal sovereignty is important. However, a group of people now argue that all that should be ignored. They seem to have severed their links with the past to a great extent. They claim that the plan should be signed for the solution of the problem. Another group argues that the problems, the distance covered, and the cost of having to live together with the Greek Cypriots should be considered. They also argue that they should first voice their objections before they agree or not to the plan."

Stressing that unity among the Turkish Cypriots has significantly weakened, Arinc notes that they informed the Turkish Cypriots that unity is the most important factor and that they should resolve their political differences when elections are held. He asserts: "We informed them that they should not create the impression that the Turkish Cypriot side is divided. That would be a trump card for the Greek Cypriots. We informed them that they should stand behind Mr Rauf Denktas as a strong bloc. We said that they can settle their differences when elections are held in their democratic system. However, I must say that our views were not heeded."

Responding to a question on whether or not they observed a division in the Turkish Cypriot community, Arinc says: "Of course, we have observed such a situation. You might be upset with Mr Denktas. You might criticize the government. However, all that should not be used in internal politics at the present time. The people participate in the demonstrations without being aware of what they will gain or lose through the Annan plan."

Regarding a question on Turkey's support for the Turkish Cypriots, Arinc asserts: "Turkey has provided significant financial aid to the `TRNC/. It can be expressed in millions of dollars. We should do that. The `TRNC/ cannot survive without Turkey's support. But serious investments have not been made. We observed an initiative to establish a university in north Cyprus similar to the Middle East Technical University in Turkey. It will be established on 300 hectares of land. It will be made up of 120 buildings, which will house many departments. Universities already exist on the island, such as the Eastern Mediterranean University, the Near East University, Kyrenia American University, and the Cyprus University. More than 20,000 students attend them. They contribute toward the Turkish Cypriot economy. However, new and urgent investments are required to improve the national income in north Cyprus. In view of that, the Turkish Government must draw up an action plan to solve the priority problems on the island. That is what the Turkish Cypriots expect. The polarization between the government and opposition groups, the polarization between the left-wing and right-wing groups, and the dispute between those who agree and those who disagree with the Annan plan will significantly decrease if Turkey comes up with such an action plan."

[02] Eroglu in Ankara. He says the aim of the talks is to protect Turkey/s rights

Eroglu, who arrived in Ankara to attend some conferences and hold contacts, noted that the agreements are signed between at least two sides and added that the attitude of the Greek Cypriot side is important. He alleged that more than 76 percent of Greek Cypriots are against the plan and this survey will surely have an effect on views in negotiations.

Eroglu said that they should be insistent on the issues in which they are right and should continue their insistent attitude to reach an agreement that suits the struggles of Turkish Cypriots during the negotiations.

Stating that some speakers who attended rallies in the occupied areas incited youths and made youths assume a wrong attitude toward former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Republican People`s Party (RPP) leader Deniz Baykal and some columnists, Eroglu said that they felt sad about those kind of attitudes. Eroglu said: ``I would like to apologize for Ecevit and Baykal on behalf of those people.``

When reminded about Denktas` statement that `our deal is weakened at the negotiation table` and asked his evaluation on this statement, Eroglu said: ``The negotiator`s ability to negotiate the Annan`s plan decreased. If some people say that the `negotiator should withdraw from his post or sign the plan`, the Greek Cypriot side will focus on proposals which will satisfy itself much more. In other words, the Greek Cypriot side will make new proposals which will further strengthen itself.``

Finally, Eroglu said that he thought that this attitude might encourage the Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides to make other proposals at the negotiation table and assume an uncompromising attitude with new demands, stating that if there were some voices which said that `sign this document immediately` when preparing to sit at the negotiation table, the Turkish Cypriot side`s deal was weakened.

[03] Cooperation between Turkey and the pseudostate in the Coastal and Aviation Search and Rescue was approved by TGNA Committee

The two agreements were for cooperation between Turkey and her puppet regime. The first one was a bill that approved the cooperation agreement between Turkey and "TRNC" in the field of the Aviation Search and Rescue, and the second bill approved the cooperation agreement in the field of the Coast Search and Rescue.

[04] Turkish Cypriot political Party leaders met with Ambassadors accredited to Cyprus

Meanwhile, Angolemli met yesterday with the Yugoslav Ambassador in Cyprus, Mr Svetislav Basara. In a statement prior to the meeting, Angolemli said: "The government and the officials in Turkey must show a clearer and more open stance in their policy on Cyprus." He also stressed that the puppet regime of Turkey, using the pretext that they will explain the Annan plan, are doing propaganda which is not in the interest of the Turkish Cypriots if the Annan plan is accepted.

In addition to this meeting, there was a diplomatic traffic in the occupied area of Cyprus. The Slovak Ambassador in Cyprus, Mr Jan Varso, visited yesterday the National Unity Party (NUP) and met with the so-called Chairman of the Committee of Law and Political Affairs of the "TRNC Assembly", Mr Ilker Nevzat. The Slovak Ambassador said that his visit is a courtesy one and added that the Slovak Embassy organizes the bi-communal meetings between the political party leaders from both sides.

The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP), Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, met yesterday with the Italian Ambassador in Cyprus, Mr Gerardo La Francesca. Talat said that Cyprus is going through a very critical period, the efforts of solving the Cyprus problem are continuing and everyone is concentrated on the Annan plan. He also added that it is in the interest of the Turkish Cypriots if a solution is signed before the 28 of February. Stressing that it may be the last opportunity for the reunification of the island, Talat said that it is very important to sign an agreement of unification of the island and then join the EU. Talat is also worried that after this date there would not be a possibility to protect their interests.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat described as unfortunate the recent statements of Bulent Arinc

According to the paper, Mr Talat said that Turkey cannot protect neither its own nor the Turkish Cypriots/ interests in Cyprus with leaders who exercise a harmful policy towards the Turkish Cypriots and whose support does not derive from their own people but from the Turkish state. The chairman of RTP also stressed that the statements of Mr Arinc were aiming at supporting a leader who lost the support of its people.

Mr Talat said that the statements made by Mr Arinc on his departure from the island were very different from the statements he made on his arrival and criticized his views regarding the rally of the Turkish Cypriots and the fact that he said that there is no end on the 28th of February and that there are hundreds of 28 February.

[06] The Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press deals with the case of Umit Inatci who has been appointed Cultural Attache at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus to London

According to AFRIKA, under the title "A Turkish diplomat for the Greek Cypriots" SABAH wonders whether Mr Inatci is someone who opposes the occupation regime, a traitor, a collaborator of the Greek Cypriots or something else.

The Turkish paper alleges also that Mr Inatci has been appointed to the above-mentioned post because he described as "occupation army" the Turkish army in Cyprus.

[07] Parliament adopts NSC law amendment

With the amendment that passed Parliament, deputy prime ministers and the justice minister will become NSC members, while the NSC decisions will be counted as "recommendations". The President, prime minister, defense, interior and foreign ministers, Chief of Staff, force commanders and NSC secretary are the current members of the council.

While debating the draft, opposition Republican People's Party (RPP) deputy Atilla Kart supported that the NSC decisions and the government practices should comply with each other.

Speaking on behalf of the ruling Justice and Development Party (JDP) Group, party's Adiyaman deputy Husrev Kutlu stated that the 22nd Parliament was a chance for Turkey, emphasizing that the two parties (JDP and RPP) would work harmoniously in democratization efforts.

Kutlu claimed that certain media organs distorted the NSC decisions although it's known that these decisions were recommendations.

[08] Turkish claims about military build-up in the free areas in order to influence the Turkish Cypriots

According to the sources, the Greek Cypriot Army has built up ammunition stockpiles in the northwest of Zygi, near the Asgata region. It is stated that the army keeps its Exocet and Aspide missiles there. It is stated that the weapons are kept in the mountain and that the facility is protected by two lines of fences. The French made Exocet rockets were last used in the Iran-Iraq war to sink battleships.

Turkish authorities are currently debating the future of the ("TRNC") while "TRNC" people attend big demonstrations asking accession to the EU. Rauf Denktas opposes the U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Cyprus plan which wants "TRNC" and Greek Cyprus to solve the Cyprus issue at once in order to have a united Cyprus accede to the EU on time.

It was also stated that the facility has been stocked up in order to attack the Turkish side and are well placed in the mountain for protection, reports Turkish Daily News.

[09] Turkey's population expected to reach 90 million in 2023

According to the State Institute of Statistics (DIE) population projections, Turkey's population stood at 69,757,000 as of mid-2002. DIE estimates that the population would reach 70,885,000 in mid-2003.

It's projected that the country's population would reach 73 million in mid-2005 and 78 million in 2010.

Turkey's population is estimated to reach 80 million in 2012 and 87.8 million in 2020. The population is projected to amount to 92.2 million in 2025, including 46 million women and 46 million men.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] The key to a solution on Cyprus

"When one-third of the population of the `TRNC/, or almost half of the remaining Turkish Cypriots, turn up for a rally demanding a solution to the Cyprus problem and urging Rauf Denktas to accept the United Nations plan or resign to open the way for those who would provide a settlement, it is very clear what the Turkish Cypriots of the island want.

Everyone was there at the rally in Nicosia except for a handful of people around Denktas. As a huge gathering demanded Denktas to accept the UN plan, the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas was saying during an interview that he is not optimistic that a solution can be found.

This of course automatically raises the question of whether Denktas has the genuine will to solve the Cyprus problem. We/ve known him for nearly four decades and we hold him in high regard. Yet, we are also a little disappointed to even think that he may not have such a will.

Despite all this, we do not feel the attitude of Denktas is so decisive in the solution for Cyprus.

We feel the key lies in Ankara.

If the United Nations proposals are properly revised to satisfy Turkey/s strategic and security concerns then the power centers in Turkey may well give their blessing for a speedy solution.

It is no coincidence that the military has recently spelled out publicly that even if the Turkish Cypriots did not exist on the island Cyprus would still be as valuable for Turkey as it is today because of its strategic importance for mainland security.

A hostile force on the island or people with bad intentions in Cyprus would mean a direct threat to the security of the Turkish mainland and that is unacceptable even if it means Turkey would not be a member of the European Union. Turkey cannot accept any solution on the island that will imprison the mainland Turks to Anatolia.

Besides this, Turkey feels it will be a main route for the export of Central Asian energy resources and the outlet will be our southern port of Iskenderun which faces Cyprus. If Cyprus falls into the hands of unwanted people they would dominate the oil routes which is also unacceptable for Ankara.

So what does Turkey want?

Ankara wants fewer Greek Cypriot refugees to return to their pre-1974 homes, a reformulation of the voting rights, only minor changes in the proposed maps for land concessions, more freedom of movement for Turkish troops after a solution and international guarantees that Turkey remains an effective guarantor power on Cyprus.

We are told that contrary to claims Turkey does not want any major changes in the UN maps that show Turkish Cypriot land concessions. Also Turkey may agree to even deploying 7,500 troops on the island after a solution, but wants them to have more freedom of movement and is against restrictions that are dictated in the current UN plan.

If these concerns are addressed, the solution on the island may well be within our reach and Denktas would be prepared to approve it".

[11] The Turkish side continues its integration policy in Cyprus

"They said that the integration policy has been shelved. It has not; it is working perfectly. Even yesterday CUMHURIYET newspaper used the title: "Integration with `TRNC' is speeded up".

At the committees of Turkey's Grand National Assembly, the laws, which will intensify integration, are easily passing. Three draft laws on the issues of aviation, maritime business and coast safety were accepted the other day.

Bekir Uysal, chairman of the Aviation Department of Turkey's Foreign Affairs Ministry, says clearly that these agreements have been signed aiming at ensuring integration with the `TRNC/ and that the draft laws have been prepared within this framework.

Furthermore, Yusuf Buluc, spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, gives the signs that integration might proceed in case an agreement is not reached in the island until 28 February. Of course, this may be regarded as bluffing, like those, which the previous Turkish governments had made. However, it cannot be taken lightly.

Ankara, which has been seriously cornered after the Copenhagen decision, does unfortunately not search for a way out of this situation from the place it should have. It wants the help of the USA in order to change the Annan plan in the direction of its wishes. Ankara wants other things as well from Washington. It wants it to recognize the `TRNC/ in case a solution is not reached until 28 February. The answer of the US to this demand is not known. The US diplomats say something publicly and do something else behind closed doors. Perhaps this, according to them, is called skilled diplomacy!

Remember the period before Copenhagen. How the US officials were shouting saying: 'There will definitely be a solution in Copenhagen. The interests of the US demand this'.

What happened? Nothing. There was no solution! Does it not oppose the interests of the US? If it were so, would the result be this? Would the US allow something opposite to their interest to pass so easily? Would they be defeated by Denktas?"

/SK

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