Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-01-28

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides under U.N. auspices

[02] The Turkish Foreign Minister concluded his illegal visit to occupied Cyprus. He now tries to paint a good picture of Denktas

[03] Ignoring numerous U.N. resolutions on Cyprus Erdogan says Turkey should act in accordance with U.N. resolutions on Iraq

[04] Prime Minister Gul addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. More statements from Strasbourg [05[ Statements by the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Cyprus

[06] Representatives of the platform "This country is ours" will go to Ankara

[B] COMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Turkey's policy on Cyprus will be made clear during the forthcoming meeting of the National Security Council

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides under U.N. auspices

Prior to the meeting, Denktas said that he had a good meeting with Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis and noted that they observed that there were no differences in their point of view regarding the principles in the national cause.

Denktas stated that they were trying to reach a permanent result which would not take them to the days in 1960s and which would not cause any trouble for the Turkish Cypriots.

They had to achieve their target in cooperation with Turkey and they would continue to do so, Denktas said.

Denktas pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side had to consider positive their proposal for some changes and should not try to make the Turkish Cypriots accept the Republic of Cyprus indirectly.

An agreement should be based on compromise by both parties, Denktas said.

Denktas hoped that the Greek Cypriot side would see that they were exerting efforts for a permanent friendship and unification and noted that this would depend on adoption of some principles.

"Those principles would bring better days to both of the nations, make the two nations good neighbours and enable them to cooperate", Denktas said and hoped that they could succeed in that.

Meanwhile KIBRIS (28.01.03) reports that in a short statement after the meeting, Mr Denktas said that yesterday the Turkish side expressed its opinions and presented the changes it wishes to be made on the Annan plan. Mr Denktas added that this presentation of the Turkish side would be submitted in writing tonight.

Responding to a question, the Turkish Cypriot leader noted that a third UN plan had not come onto the agenda. Denktas said: "There is no such thing as preparing a third plan. However, we have submitted our demand for changes. The Greek Cypriots said nothing. We know that they want some changes too, but they have not yet brought them onto the table".

The next meeting of the Turkish Cypriot leader with President Clerides will take place tomorrow at 9.30 am.

[02] The Turkish Foreign Minister concluded his illegal visit to occupied Cyprus. He now tries to paint a good picture of Denktas

Yakis said that Turkey appreciated and supported the negotiations to bring a safe future to the Turkish Cypriots and their constructive attitude. "The Turkish Cypriot side wants peace, they wish a just and lasting solution, but this does not mean that a sacrifice will be made from the indispensable rights of the Turkish Cypriots", Yakis said.

Yakis alleged that the Turkish Cypriots fight for rights, law and justice for a period of 40 years, adding: "Neither the Turkish Cypriot side, nor Turkey is the side which is responsible for the Cyprus problem. Those who are responsible are the ones who do not abide by the international agreements. Turkish Cypriots try to set up their future on the basis of equal status, political equality and sovereignty rights today. While protecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, the 'TRNC' leadership proposed its solution methods with a constructive attitude to the negotiation table and it signed the agreements that had earlier been reached."

Further alleging that there were realities on the island which were based on two peoples and two states, Yakis said that the efforts for peace in Cyprus should take these realities as the basis and they should be based on equal sovereignty, political equality of both sides and bi-zonality.

Yakis said that Turkey supported the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot leadership for reaching a just and lasting solution, adding: ``Therefore the proposals of the U.N. Secretary-General will continue to be negotiated. The rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots will continue to be protected...The effective guarantee of Turkey and the Turkish-Greek balance will be maintained.`` Yakis said that a solution which can not be accepted by the Turkish Cypriots cannot be signed.

Addressing the Turkish Cypriots, Yakis said: "We want you to feel safe. Turkey will continue to support the Turkish Cypriots as a requirement of both of its responsibilities stemming from agreements and responsibilities to its Turkish Cypriot people. Turkey won`t permit Turkish Cypriots who went through dark and painful days to return to those days again."

Upon a question about the tension between Justice and Development Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Rauf Denktas, Yakis said that the support of Turkey to the occupied areas continued. ``It is not appropriate to discuss the issue through the press, we are very much close to each other and the channels of dialogue between us are open," Yakis said.

During his stay in Cyprus Mr Yakis met with Rauf Denktas, Dervis Eroglu and Zeki Serter.

[03] Ignoring numerous U.N. resolution on Cyprus Erdogan says Turkey should act in accordance with U.N. resolutions on Iraq

When asked whether or not tension escalated during the meeting in Davos with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Erdogan said:``Any tension was out of the question. Both Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and I explained Turkey`s views under diplomatic sensitivity.``

When asked, ``earlier, Mr. Powell said that time was running out. Did he bring this issue onto the agenda in Davos?`` Erdogan said: ``The United States is in a hurry. However, we should take all steps carefully by taking into consideration some prices we had to pay in the past.``

Erdogan refrained from responding a question whether or not they made any requests from the United States about compensation of Turkey`s losses in a possible war against Iraq.

Responding a question about a statement made by Rauf Denktas, Erdogan said: ``I have never criticized Mr Denktas unilaterally. I said that the sides did not expend enough efforts to solve the Cyprus question. I meant both Rauf Denktas and Glafcos Clerides. If we do not sit at the negotiation table to solve the problem, the problem cannot be solved. Both Denktas and Clerides should display the same sacrifices. Cyprus is our national cause. No one can exclude us from this cause.``

[04] Prime Minister Gul addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. More statements from Strasbourg

Following is the extract on Cyprus from Mr Gul's speech: Permit me to make some short remarks about the Cyprus issue. The two Cypriot parties are now engaged in serious, detailed negotiations for a settlement based on the Annan Plan. My Government actively supports this process and will extend all the assistance to find an early solution.

Our government continues to be fully committed to a just and viable comprehensive settlement in Cyprus. We are closer than ever to ending a 40-year struggle.

Cyprus is the common home for two peoples. In order to reach a viable and lasting solution, both parties have to show respect and try to meet each other's respective concerns and sensitivities. We encourage the Turkish Cypriots to make substantive contributions to the process for achieving an early settlement. Both parties should be encouraged in order to render the Annan Plan mutually acceptable.

Prime Minister Gul held a press conference after addressing the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) meeting.

Responding to a question about the Cyprus problem, Prime Minister Gul said: ``Turkey is in favor of finding a solution. Our government does not consider non-solution a solution. However, the Turkish Cypriots were subjected to many pains in the past. We do not want to live these bitter experiences once again. Everybody knows what happened in Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-5 years ago. The Cyprus question cannot be solved with sacrifices of only one side.``

Responding a question about the demonstrations in the occupied areas, Prime Minister Gul said: ``These demonstrations reveal the fact that the 'TRNC' is a democratic country.``

When asked whether or not Turkey would act in accordance with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) about the case of Greek Cypriot citizen Titiana Loizidou, Prime Minister Gul said: ``This case is political, not judicial.`` He noted that a solution of the Cyprus question would make an important contribution to solution of other problems in Cyprus.

Moreover, Ankara TRT 2 Television (27/01/03) broadcast a telephone interview with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul in Strasbourg.

Following is Mr Gul's reply to a question on Cyprus:

Question: The Cyprus problem is a very hot item on the agenda. Foreign Minister Yakis and Ground Forces Commander Gen. Aytac Yalman are visiting the island. Can you please comment on the speculations? Many statements in Turkey and reports from north Cyprus said that a conflict exists between Mr Rauf Denktas and the Government, particularly Justice and Development Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Can you comment?

Answer: A misunderstanding exists in many respects. It is common knowledge that talks are held on the island in accordance with a plan outlined by the UN Secretary- General. The talks will be maintained until 28 February. The Greek Cypriot side will be allowed to join the EU as a full member. It will represent the island in the organization. It will take its place among the new countries that will join the 15 EU members. Naturally, everyone can determine the problems such a development might create in Turkey's relations with the EU. In addition to that, I must recall the conviction that the Turkish Cypriots do not want a solution and that they agree to hold talks to deceive the world. We want to clearly note that we are making a sincere effort for a solution to the island's problem. Mr Rauf Denktas conducts his talks with such an understanding with Turkey's support. So, while we maintain our sincere approach, we expect the Greek Cypriot side to act in a similar manner for a result that will mutually satisfy the two sides until 28 February. We will be prepared to sign a peace agreement when we reach a point that will satisfy us and our Turkish Cypriot brethren. I want to underline that we will support a peace agreement that will satisfy us, in other words guarantee the future of the Turkish Cypriots, and obstruct the recurrence of incidents similar to those that took place in the past.

[05] Statements by the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Cyprus

Arinc, upon being reminded of the visit he made to occupied Northern Cyprus and the evaluations made after his statements there, spoke as follows:

"I have not spoken in favor of this person or that person. The Cyprus issue is a national problem and has been followed for years. Both our parliament and the Turkish people have always been in unity with our Turkish Cypriot brothers. I personally want the Cyprus problem to be concluded with an agreement process that is peaceful, taking into consideration the sovereignty rights, in favor of political equality and always having the effective guarantorship of Turkey. These are my thoughts and I still preserve my thoughts. I do not want to interpret the statements of someone else in this or that manner."

[06] Representatives of the platform "This country is ours" will go to Ankara

The persons, which constitute the representatives, are the following: Mustafa Akinci (Communal Liberation Party), Ferdi Soyer (Republican Turkish Party), Ahmet Barcin (Turkish Cypriot Trade Union for Secondary Teachers/), Erdogan Sorakin, (Turkish Cypriot Trade Union for Primary Teachers/), Ali Seylani (Turkish Cypriot Trade Union of so-called civil servants), Ali Gulle (Turkish Cypriot Federation of Revolutionary Workers Union), Tahir Hoca (Turkish Cypriot Workers of the "municipalities"), Mehmetali Guroz (Trade Union of workers in cooperatives), Osman Cokkol (Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen), Halil Pasha (Union of Workers in broadcasting).

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Turkey's policy on Cyprus will be made clear during the forthcoming meeting of the National Security Council

This meeting will evaluate the debates that have been going on for a long time over Iraq and Cyprus as well as international viewpoints. Just how Turkey will stand towards these topics will be clarified at this meeting.

The military wing will submit a report to the NSC on the topics of Cyprus and Iraq. The United States' intervention in Iraq plus Turkey's military and political standpoint according to various possibilities will be taken up at the meeting. A decision will be taken as to how Turkey must react with respect to the national interest according to likely eventualities in Iraq and on Cyprus.

Let us look firstly at the Iraq issue:

Turkey will continue with its diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution right up until the last minute. However, the legal preparations necessary should war be unavoidable will be opened up to debate at the NSC. Time will be spent discussing the authority needed to be granted by the National Assembly if the talks currently being held between the Turkish military and US military officials need to be put into practice. Even if it does not become the official stance, the military wing of the NSC is expected to ask the National Assembly not to delay issuing the authority "to have foreign servicemen stationed in Turkey and to send Turkish servicemen abroad".

The other issue to be taken up by the NSC is Cyprus.

The dominant expectation is that the differing voices coming from Ankara over Cyprus are weakening Denktas' and the Turks' position at the negotiating table. There is a high probability that again it will be the military wing that will ask for Ankara to clarify its position on Cyprus and refrain from making any statements that would weaken Denktas' position. In the declaration issued after December's NSC meeting it was noted that despite open expressions of full support for Denktas the fact that various official circles were saying different things was putting both Turkey and northern Cyprus in a difficult position. This finding is expected to be raised once more at this NSC meeting. It is also estimated that the strategic importance of Cyprus for mainland Turkey will be stressed as will the need to amend the Annan plan in accordance with Turkey's national interests.

In a speech made yesterday that was in effect a reply to Justice and Development Party Leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Denktas asked Ankara to clarify its policy. The timing of Denktas' remarks to the effect that the differing statements being issued by Ankara were severely obstructing progress at the talks, coming as they do prior to the NSC meeting, is seen as significant. Denktas also wants Ankara to clarify its Cyprus policy and to act in accordance with that policy.

Time is running out for both the Iraq and Cyprus issues.

This is why the 31 January meeting of the NSC will be a crucial one at which historical decisions are taken and the policies for both Iraq and Cyprus are clarified."

EG/

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