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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-02-24

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No.37/03 22-23-24.02.03

[A] NEWS ITEMS

  • [01] Statements by Rauf Denktas after receiving the minutes of Alvaro de Soto/s talks in Ankara.
  • [02] Alvaro de Soto met with Ugur Ziyal.
  • [03] The UN Secretary-General is visiting Turkey.
  • [04] Talks between Turkey and Greece on Cyprus/ security and guarantees started in Ankara
  • [05] Report in RADIKAL confirms that Cyprus is among Turkey/s demands from the US in return for Iraq.
  • [06] Ugur Ziyal is certain Turkey will impose its will on the US because of Iraq.
  • [07] Yasar Yakis says an agreement with the US is coming closer.
  • [08] Erdogan is concerned with Soysal/s participation in the Cyprus talks.
  • [09] Interview with NTV by Yasar Yakis.
  • [10] Yakis criticizes Lord Hanney and the Annan plan.
  • [11] Statements on Cyprus by Abdullah Gul during a meeting of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.
  • [12] MILLIYET: "Five changes in the Plan!...".
  • [13] Thomas Weston met with Turkish Cypriot politicians.
  • [14] Sixty-seven teachers from Turkey work in the pseudostate.
  • [B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

  • [15] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that after the decision on Ahmet Cavit An's case many other Turkish Cypriots would appeal to ECHR against Turkey, which violates their rights.

  • [A] NEWS ITEMS

    [01] Statements by Rauf Denktas after receiving the minutes of Alvaro de Soto/s talks in Ankara

    Illegal Bayrak Television (21.02.03) broadcast that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas, said today that he received the minutes of the talks UN Secretary- General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro de Soto had with the Turkish officials in Ankara last night. Denktas responded to reporters' questions as follows:

    Question: Have you received the minutes of the talks Alvaro de Soto held in Ankara?

    Answer: I received them last night. I informed you yesterday that I did not yet receive them. I received them last night. Some of the newspapers claimed that the Karpass peninsula was left to the Turkish Cypriots, as if someone else controlled it. Just look at what they say. We control the peninsula. It belongs to us. They [UN officials] tried to give it to the Greek Cypriots. We objected to that. Turkey said that such a change cannot be made. So, they seemed to give up the idea. But, considering the minutes we received last night, the Greek Cypriots now want Karavostasi and the area beyond it in return-that is, up to Limnitis. Some 6,000 Greek Cypriots would be settled in the Karpass peninsula. They can be resettled elsewhere in the country. Some 60,000 Greek Cypriots were to come to live among us. The number has now been increased to 85,000. And, additional land will be given to the Greek Cypriots just because what we asked for in the Senate has been accepted. In other words, the Greek Cypriots will not be able to vote in the Senate. We have to calmly study and discuss all that.

    I have observed that various circles are worried that 28 February is drawing closer. For God's sake, was it not Glafcos Clerides, Prime Minister Simitis, and officials in Turkey who said that the matter cannot be finalized until 28 February? Have we not said that? Nevertheless, wrong and untrue messages are conveyed to the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey to the effect that we will be faced with a catastrophic situation on 1 March. Such a deceitful approach should be abandoned. The people should be told the truth. If we sign the [Annan] plan, then the Turkish Cypriot people will become a protected minority among the majority Greek Cypriots in Cyprus, which will actually be a Greek Cypriot republic. We will have rights written on paper. But we had rights written on paper in the past. They were torn up. So, we have to consider what the Greek Cypriots will do with the new paper under their new leader. In view of that, everyone must calmly study the Annan documents again.

    Question: Have you held talks with the Turkish officials on the documents?

    Answer: I hold talks with the government officials in Turkey every day. The minutes we received include the views they conveyed to Alvaro de Soto. Their views are similar to those we want to convey to him. Alvaro de Soto took his documents to Turkey before he consulted with us. That was very shameful. He visited Turkey to influence it before he consulted with us. His objective was to have the Turkish officials put pressure on us. But, to say it clearly, Turkey has not been tricked. We thank Ankara for that.

    Question: Will Alvaro de Soto, Turkey, and Greece hold talks on the Treaty of Guarantees today?

    Answer: I believe that the talks will not be on the Treaty of Guarantees. In accordance with the Annan plan, talks will be held on a limited issue related to the number of troops and the areas where they would be based. The type of arms they will have will also be discussed. I am aware that Turkey intends to make a decision after it becomes aware of what it will guarantee when a basis for agreement is found. So, the meeting that will be held today will not affect us.

    Question: Will Thomas Weston propose multilateral agreements similar to those that were reached in Camp David in the past?

    Answer: He might propose multilateral agreements but there is a reality that will not change: Two national peoples exist in Cyprus. They have the right to self-determination. They were the founders of the Cyprus Republic in the past. The Greek Cypriot side undermined the partnership republic. The Turkish Cypriot founder was left without a state. It was forced to establish its own state for the sake of the establishment of a new partnership republic. It has waited for 20 years. Two states exist in Cyprus. A new partnership must be established between them. The effort made to achieve a result through the support of a protected Turkish Cypriot minority in the Greek Cypriot administration will be futile. I have always said that I greatly respect UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He is the best and most impartial among the UN Secretary-Generals I have worked with. However, even he has said that his objective is to solve the Cyprus problem by creating a single nation from the two peoples on the island. His approach is wrong. The question is the establishment of a partnership by the two nations in Cyprus. A single nation cannot be created from two peoples, unless one of them is destroyed. So, we will continue to move in the right direction.

    [02] Alvaro de Soto met with Ugur Ziyal

    Ankara Anatolia (21.02.03) reported from Ankara that Mr Alvaro de Soto, UN Secretary-General's special envoy for Cyprus, met with Under Secretary Ugur Ziyal and Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin at the Foreign Ministry today.

    In a statement after the meeting that lasted two and a half hours, de Soto said that he came to Ankara for the Turkish-Greek security talks and that he would take this opportunity to prepare for the visit UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will be making to Ankara on 23 February.

    Noting that security issues have a 'critical importance' in a possible conciliation, de Soto said that all parties in the Cyprus issue consider the security issues as the essence of the negotiations.

    De Soto said: "This is the reason why a conciliation cannot be reached without including the security issues."

    Noting that a conciliation on the Cyprus issue can no longer be postponed, de Soto said that he expects today's security negotiations to yield a result as soon as possible.

    De Soto said that he did not know where and when the second leg of the negotiations will be held, but expressed the hope that they will be held as soon as possible.

    Reiterating that a conciliation should be reached by the end of February for a 'unified Cyprus' to become an EU member on 16 April taking into consideration the referenda to be held in the two sectors, de Soto said that he "believes that all the parties concerned want a united Cyprus to accede to the EU in April."

    De Soto continued: "Therefore, the timing of Annan's visit to the region is not a coincidence."

    In reply to a question on whether a conciliation can be reached by the end of February given the Greek Cypriot elections and the recent developments, de Soto said:

    "It is possible to a great extent. There is a time pressure on Papadopoulos, the new Greek Cypriot leader. I conferred with him for long hours. He is aware of the urgency of the issue and the pressure. I am hoping that I can depend on Papadopoulos, Denktas, Greece, and Turkey to take the necessary steps in the coming days."

    In reply to a question on the third Annan plan, de Soto said: "You want to make such a supposition, but I cannot confirm that. It might, however, be possible."

    [03] The UN Secretary-General is visiting Turkey

    Istanbul NTV television (23.02.03) broadcast that the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived at Istanbul Ataturk Airport today. At the airport, Annan was received by Alvaro de Soto, the special UN envoy for Cyprus who arrived in Turkey from Cyprus around noon today. They left Istanbul for Ankara together a while ago. Annan will hold talks on the Cyprus issue in Ankara. He will leave Ankara for Athens on 25 February in order to continue his talks on the Cyprus peace plan. On 26 February, Annan is expected to be in Cyprus where he will hold meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas and the new Greek Cypriot leader. Annan is expected to submit to the sides the new peace plan without allowing room for negotiations. He is supposed to tell them: Take it or leave it.

    Annan refrained from replying to questions at Ataturk Airport. He only said the following: "I arrived at a critical stage. I want to make progress on this issue." He stressed that he is determined on the issue.

    Moreover, Ankara Anatolia (23.02.03) reported from Ankara that the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Sunday that Cyprus was the question uppermost in his mind, stating that they had reached the high point in the effort under way to solve the Cyprus problem, and that this was the defining moment for Cyprus.

    Annan, who held a news conference at Ankara`s Esenboga Airport, said that there were many issues that were of common interest to Turkey and the United Nations, not least the Iraq crisis. But, he wished to highlight the fact that Turkey was his first stop on a tour that would take him to Greece and Cyprus.

    Annan said it was a critical moment in the region and Turkey had a central role to play in tackling the issues that confronted them.

    He said the European Union (EU) was due to meet for the signature of the Treaty of Accession of ten new members, including Cyprus on April 16, adding that he devoutly hoped that the Treaty would be signed on behalf of a united Cyprus.

    Stating that this was also the strong preference of the EU, Annan said Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots had to decide, in separate simultaneous referenda on March 30, to approve a comprehensive settlement and bring about a new state of affairs.

    Annan said he wished to do all he could to encourage the leaders to muster the spirit of compromise, courage and leadership of which they were capable.

    Annan said that the aim of his visit to Ankara was to discuss with the Turkish government how he would contribute to this last effort pertaining to Cyprus.

    Annan pointed out that the parties accepted to negotiate on the basis of the revised proposal that he put to them on December 10 last. He said it did not prove possible for the parties to come to an agreement before the Copenhagen European Council last December.

    Pointing out that his Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto had carried out intensive consultations in Nicosia, Ankara and Athens, Annan said: ``In light of what we have been hearing from the parties, we have been carefully examining whether and how it might be possible to improve the plan, while preserving the overall balance that it contains. The parties are aware of what we have in mind.``

    Annan said the purpose of his visit was to discuss with the Turkish government, as he would do in Athens with the Greek government, ``how the two motherlands can rally in support of this last effort, and assist the parties in coming to terms.`` Annan said: ``The opportunity is open. It is clearly in the interest of all-Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Greece and Turkey, to seize this opportunity now. There is little time. Let us take advantage of it.``

    Asked if he came to Ankara with a third plan for Cyprus, Annan did not give a clear answer but said that he would discuss the settlement of the issue with Turkish officials.

    Replying to another question, Annan said that he was still hopeful for a solution and that they could do it.

    Asked about the role of the United States in a solution of the issue, Annan said that there was no pressure on neither himself nor the U.N.

    On the contrary, he noted, there was great support from the United States and Europe to settle that issue.

    [04] Talks between Turkey and Greece on Cyprus/ security and guarantees started in Ankara

    Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.02.03) reported from Ankara that the negotiations between political directors of Turkey and Greece about the security and guarantorship issues in Cyprus started on Friday.

    Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin and former Greek Ambassador to Turkey Alexandros Filon head the Turkish and Greek delegations.

    Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Ilkin said that there were certain elements in the Annan plan which directly concern Turkey and Greece, adding that these issues were ``guarantees and guarantorship.``

    Ilkin said that political and security issues had to be taken up by Turkey and Greece as the guarantor countries, adding that the negotiation which started the same day was held for the first time, it was a technical and preliminary meeting. Ilkin said that they would review the issues which were covered by the plan together, adding that ``there are some uncertainties which had to be clarified. We will examine if we can do it or not. We will hold the meetings with a constructive mentality.``

    Ilkin stated that it was not certain yet whether the negotiations would continue or not.

    Filon said in his part that he earlier worked as the Greek Ambassador to Turkey and that he was pleased for coming to Ankara again. Filon stated that they would exchange views about the plan.

    Diplomatic and military officials attended the meeting. There is no representative from the U.N. Together with Baki Ilkin, Foreign Ministry`s Department of Cyprus Director Ertugrul Apakan and Deputy Director Necip Eguz also attend the meetings.

    Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou had proposed Turkey and Greece to discuss the plan`s parts on security regulations and guarantorship, reports A.A

    [05] Report in RADIKAL confirms that Cyprus is among Turkey/s demands from the US in return for Iraq

    Istanbul RADIKAL newspaper (22.02.03) publishes the following report by Fatma Simsek under the title: "Condition to US on Cyprus":

    A new political element that was not disclosed to the public came to light in the list of demands the government conveyed to the United States on 16 February in connection with the support it might give to Turkey to help it redeem the loss it will incur as a result of the war against Iraq. The government asked the United States to fully support it in the international arena on Cyprus. In a three-page letter that outlined 17 demands, the government recalled that Turkey was isolated in the world regardless of the support it gives for the effort made to find a solution in Cyprus and urged the United States to support it within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

    The United States has not responded to some of Turkey's demands thus far. The condition on Cyprus is among them. It has been discussed during the talks that were held at ambassadorial level between the two countries. The Turkish side informed its US counterpart that Turkey adopted a positive approach on the Annan plan and disclosed many times that it supports an agreement to solve the problem. It said that the EU countries put significant pressure on Ankara regardless of Turkey's support for a solution and noted that the Cyprus problem has even been described as one that obstructs Turkey's accession to the organization. Furthermore, it asserted that Turkey has been isolated on the problem and noted that the United States should adopt a position that supports Ankara.

    The demands conveyed to the United States were outlined in three sections related to military, political, and economic issues. The economic demands were placed at the end of the list.

    [06] Ugur Ziyal is certain Turkey will impose its will on the US because of Iraq

    Istanbul SABAH newspaper (21.02.03) publishes the following report by Samil Tayyar under the title: "Bush's hands are tied":

    The United States may be obliged to postpone its military operation against Iraq if Turkey refuses the opening of a front against Iraq from the north, for the preparations on the southern front are not sufficient. Should the military operation be postponed to April, the United States will be obliged to replan everything, including the renewal of its soldiers' boots. This situation would provide us the necessary time for holding bargaining with the United States.

    Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal explained the reason behind the difficult situation that the bargaining process has reached with the United States by saying that Turkey wants to make a better bargaining with the United States after seeing that this country will not be able to abandon the northern front.

    Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal, Middle East Department General Director Tahsin Burcuoglu, and Cyprus Department Deputy General Director Necip Ergiz visited the MP [Motherland Party] headquarters yesterday to brief MP Chairman Ali Talip Ozdemir and the members of the MP Chairmanship Council on the latest developments regarding Iraq. Ziyal pointed out that the United States has offered six billion dollars as a donation, including the writing off of military debts worth two billion dollars, and a $20-billion credit but that Turkey turned down this offer.

    Stressing that the losses that Turkey has been sustaining since the 1991 Gulf War have reached very high dimensions, Ziyal said that Turkey this time wants to secure a written guarantee for offsetting the losses that it may sustain as a result of a fresh military operation against Iraq. In remarks he made regarding the protracted talks with the United States, Ziyal said: "The United States has been exerting pressure on Turkey for the past one year. All the details were taken into account in the talks. The protracting of the talks was advantageous to Turkey, for in this way Turkey's bargaining power increased."

    Subtitle: Operation Trump Card

    Ziyal explained the manner in which Turkey's bargaining power increased as follows: "The United States is planning to complete the air operation against Iraq by the end of March. The US officials have set a two-week period for this operation. This operation may extend up to the first week of April. The land operation will start after that period.

    "However, the United States drew up its strategies by relying more on the northern front. Thus, the United States completed all its preparations for war in the north. All that the United States now needs is to dispatch its troops to the region. All the US plans will turn upside down if Turkey refuses to allow the US forces to open its northern front.

    "Washington claims that it has other alternatives, but it is difficult for the US forces to achieve the results that they want if they mount a military operation against Iraq from the south front alone. This plan even looks impossible, for the US preparations in the south are not sufficient. That is, the United States needs to draw up a new plan if it wants to mount the military operation from the south alone.

    "This means that the air operation against Iraq will be postponed to April. Under these conditions, the land forces operation would also be postponed. The deteriorating weather conditions in Iraq would have a negative impact on the operational power of the US forces. The United States drew up its plans in accordance with the weather conditions prevailing in March and April. Consequently, the United States will be obliged to revise everything, including the boots that the US soldiers wear, if the operation is postponed to a later date. Under these conditions, the United States may defer its military operation against Iraq to the end of 2003 or early 2004. The United States cannot take this risk."

    Meanwhile, Ziyal said that differences of views do not exist between the government and the Office of the Chief of the General Staff regarding Iraq and that the two are working in harmony with each other.

    Subtitle: Presidential Office Summit: No Backward Step

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer held his weekly scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister and the Chief of the General Staff yesterday. The participants in the meeting took up the bargaining that the government is presently holding with the United States regarding Iraq. Stressing that the United States is saying that it is Turkey's strategic partner, on the one hand, and is trying to impose its will on Turkey, on the other, the participants expressed their unease with Washington's endeavor to reflect the image that Turkey is bargaining for money.

    Meanwhile, officials stressed that according to the Turkish Constitution, international legitimacy is required for the US forces to mount a military operation via the Turkish border but that this requirement is not needed for the Turkish Armed Forces [TAF]. The officials also stressed that should the United States mount a military operation against Iraq without a UN resolution for this purpose, Turkey, for its part, would have the right to move into action in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Treaty that gives Turkey the legitimate right to defend itself.

    Within this framework, the participants expressed the view that it would be appropriate for the TAF from the perspective of international law to enter northern Iraq in order to establish a "red line" aimed at preventing the flow of refugees into Turkey. Finally, the participants in the meeting expressed the view that no step should be taken before the United States meets Turkey's demands regarding Iraq.

    [07] Yasar Yakis says an agreement with the US is coming closer

    Istanbul NTV television (22.02.03) broadcast that the Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis declared that the final word has not been said with regard to the economic negotiations with the United States on Iraq, but the sides are very near an agreement. Yakis replied to questions after an assessment meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Abdullah Gul on Iraq and Cyprus.

    Yakis said the following on the latest situation regarding the economic negotiations with the United States on the subject of Iraq: "The final word has not been said, but we are very near an agreement." Yakis also said that it has not yet been determined when the Council of Ministers will convene to discuss the developments pertaining to Iraq. The latest developments on Cyprus were also discussed at the meeting prior to UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan's scheduled visit to Ankara at the beginning of the week.

    [08] Erdogan is concerned with Soysal/s participation in the Cyprus talks

    Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.02.03) reported from Ankara that the Justice and Development Party (JDP) Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan replied to the journalists' questions during the "Shadow Cabinet" program broadcast on the NTV.

    Referring to Cyprus problem Mr Erdogan said that they want the Cyprus issue to be resolved, and explained that the puppet regime should resolve this problem within itself to this end.

    In answer to another question, Erdogan stressed that if the Cyprus issues is not resolved, the lack of solution will constitute an obstacle in the way of Turkey's EU membership. Erdogan said: "I am also concerned that a person who is against the EU accompanies honorable Denktas in the negotiations. I am talking about honorable Soysal. Second, the fact that the leader of a political party participates in the negotiations is erroneous. Someone from Turkey could have participated in the negotiations. Turkey is not so poor in this regard."

    Erdogan stressed that during the meetings he held in relation with Turkey's EU membership, he revealed that Turkey is not conducting lobby activities abroad. Erdogan said: "We have not been able to explain to Europe primarily and to the entire world the Kurdish issue, let alone the Cyprus issue."

    In answer to a question on whether or not he will immediately become prime minister if he is elected deputy during the elections that will be held in Siirt on 9 March, Erdogan noted that his decision will be dependent on the development related to the Iraqi issue primarily and other issues that will appear on the agenda at that time.

    Moreover, Ankara Anatolia (23.02.03) reported from Istanbul that Erdogan replied to reporters' questions at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, where he arrived in order to fly to Ankara.

    Asked about his views concerning the new plan pertaining to Cyprus, Erdogan stated: "I have no information on the new plan. Tomorrow, the UN Secretary- General will visit me as well. Naturally, we will receive the necessary information from our colleagues by tomorrow evening, and we will conduct our talks. It would be better if we make an assessment accordingly."

    "What is your view about the approach that does not allow for negotiations?" Erdogan was asked. He responded: "If there is such a precondition, it would not be right."

    In reply to a question on "whether the second motion regarding Iraq will be submitted to the TGNA (Turkish Grand National Assembly) on 25 February," Erdogan said: "There is no such plan at present."

    Asked if the convocation of the Council of Ministers tomorrow instead of on 26 February is a step toward that direction, Erdogan remarked that the Council of Ministers can meet at any time upon the prime minister's request.

    [09] Interview with NTV by Yasar Yakis

    Istanbul NTV television (23.02.03) broadcast live a news conference by Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis at the Foreign Ministry.

    Following are Mr Yakis/ replies to questions on Cyprus:

    Question: Do you have anything to say about the visit of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan?

    Answer: I do not know yet whether Mr Kofi Annan will submit the text of his third plan during this visit. I, however, followed the statement he made on television. He said that they are aware of our latest stand. If by that he is referring to the points de Soto conveyed to our under secretary during his last visit, then we are aware of them. A document was also submitted. This document, however, should be compared with the second Annan plan. Let us say that this document notes that paragraph two of page 37 will be changed in the line with the following text. We have to replace that paragraph and then make an assessment as to whether it adds to or subtracts from what has been granted to us. De Soto has, so far, informed us as to which of our requests will be met to what extent. An agreement was reached in the very beginning of the Annan plan. This is a plan that has an integral balance. If you take something away from one of the sides within the framework of this plan, then you have to give something to the other side. This was the general rule. Therefore, when de Soto came here we told him the points over which we are sensitive and the points which we could not cross. His response was positive. It is one thing for him to accept our point and not request anything in return and something else if he requests something in return. If something will be taken, then we have to apply this to the second Annan version and see the results. This assessment is currently being made in our pertinent departments.

    Question: Can an agreement be reached till 28 February?

    Answer: Till now, the opposite side was trying to give the impression that 28 February is a sacred date. Now, however, it might again be the other side that will say that we should not dwell on this date given the fact that Papadopoulos has been elected. Will this be so? We do not know. I believe that we will be wiser in the coming days. Naturally, the election of Papadopoulos has changed many balances. To what extent will the parameters and the balances be affected will become clearer in the coming days.

    Question: There are press reports to the effect that the third plan will be submitted as an ultimatum. Can you assess that?

    Answer: Can you call it an ultimatum? Is it an appropriate term? I do not know. The feeling we got was the following: If the 28 February deadline is still valid and if the Annan plan emerges on 23 February, then there will not be time to come up with a fourth Annan plan after conducting negotiations on 24 and 25 February. This is the reason why this third plan can either be accepted and rejected and the deadline of 28 February can be met. In other words, this is the impression we got. Otherwise, this is not an ultimatum. If 28 February will remain as the deadline, then we have no time to conduct further negotiations. This is how the issue should be evaluated.

    [10] Yakis criticizes Lord Hanney and the Annan plan

    KIBRIS (24.02.03) reports that Turkey's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yasar Yakis, has criticized the British Special envoy for Cyprus lord David Hanney and the UN peace plan for Cyprus.

    The paper writes that talking on a programme of the private CNN-Turk television, Mr Yakis said, in brief, the following regarding the right of the Greek Cypriot refugees to return to their homes: "According to the agreement a Greek Cypriot will come and knock at the door saying: 'hey you Turk go out from here'. In the meantime, if there is a weapon in the pocket of the man (the Turk) I think that he could shoot him. This happened in Bosnia. It is sad that Lord Hanney brought here a scenario, which had happened there in front of his eyes and its repetition must not even be thought. With the suggestion regarding those who will be returning back, he is asking for trouble, so that the same problems might occur here as well".

    Responding to a question, Mr Yakis said that lord Hanney "is behind the Annan plan" for Cyprus, but the Turkish side would explain the "mistakes" to the UN Secretary - General during his visit in Ankara.

    AFRIKA (24.02.03) publishes the statements of Mr Yakis under the front -page banner title "Blow to the plan by Yakis".

    [11] Statements on Cyprus by Abdullah Gul during a meeting of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce

    Ankara Anatolia (21.02.03) reported from Istanbul that Prime Minister Abdullah Gul on Friday speaking at the extraordinary meeting of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), said: ``Relations between Turkey and the United States are of great importance. These relations have been continuing on the basis of mutual friendship and understanding. Our relations with the United States will continue in any case.

    Recently, issues of the foreign policy have been high on the agenda. However, this does not mean that we have neglected our issues. Since the day we formed the government, we have been dealing with problems such as the European Union (EU), the Cyprus question, the Iraq issue and economic issues. We have never ignored the economic problems of Turkey. One of our prior targets is a sound economic structure.``

    On Cyprus Gul said: ``We have been standing in a critical turning point on the Cyprus question. We do not consider the non-solution as a solution. We have been expending great efforts to solve the Cyprus question. However, we cannot accept any unsatisfactory solution. We do not want to deceive ourselves or our people.``

    ``I met with United Nations Secretary-General Annan in Brussels three days ago. He told me that a third plan has been prepared. We will assess the plan all together.``

    [12] MILLIYET: "Five changes in the Plan!..."

    Subtitle: "The UN Secretary-General who arrived in Ankara did five important changes in the Plan, in line with the demands of the `TRNC/ and Turkey"

    Under the above title and subtitle, MILLIYET newspaper (24.02.03) reports that the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Ankara yesterday with the third revised version of the Annan peace plan. The paper reports that because of the Greek Cypriot side's objections ,Turkey expects that the negotiations will extend to the month of March. The paper notes that Annan will try to present his new revised plan to the sides and try to convince them to accept it.

    MILLIYET reports that the new revised plan includes the following "positive" changes as far as Turkey and the occupied area are concerned:

    · "The Karpass peninsula will remain in the hands of the Turkish side, and the Greek Cypriots will have autonomy. The Greek Cypriot side instead will get land from Morphou area;

    · The Greek Cypriots who will cross from the south to the north will exercise their political rights not in the Turkish Component state but in the Greek side;

    · The number of Turks who settled in the `TRNC/ who will be allowed to stay in the island will be raised from 30 thousand to fifty thousand;

    · The number of Turkish and Greek Troops that will be deployed on the island will be 7200 each;

    · The description of 'partners' regarding the sides in the plan will most probably be changed according to the Turkish side's demand to 'founding partners/".

    [13] Thomas Weston met with Turkish Cypriot politicians

    KIBRIS (24.02.03) reports that Thomas Weston, the US State Department's Special Cyprus Coordinator, held meetings with various Turkish Cypriot politicians and discussed with them the latest developments in of the Cyprus problem.

    According to the paper Mr Weston described his current visit to Cyprus as "the most important visit he ever paid to the island" and stressed that very important decisions will be made in the near future that will influence the future of Cyprus.

    In his meeting wit Mr Weston, Mehmet Ali Talat, the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party accused the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas of sabotaging the UN Plan. He said that Mr Denktas has as his goal the non-progress in the UN Plan so he can say that the rights of the Turkish Cypriots were not acknowledged. He also accused the Turkish Cypriot leader that he will stop the UN Plan from being submitted to a referendum for the Turkish Cypriots.

    On his part, Serdar Denktas, the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) said that in his meeting with Mr Weston he conveyed to him the worries of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the issue of migration and the issue of sovereignty. He also told Mr Weston that there is sensitivity regarding the fact that the Turkish Cypriots will have to live with the Greek Cypriots.

    Huseyin Angolemli, the chairman of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) said that his hopes have risen for a solution and stressed that due to Mr Annan/s visit to the area, many issues will be brought into the open in the coming week.

    Mr Weston also met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas. There were no statements after the one-hour meeting between the two men.

    [14] Sixty-seven teachers from Turkey work in the pseudostate

    HALKIN SESI (23.02.02) reports that sixty-seven teachers from Turkey work in the pseudostate. As the paper reports the teachers participated in an environmental event where 300 trees were planted. Speaking at the event Mustafa Kuzusu, the so-called educational consultant of the "Turkish embassy" of the pseudostate, stated that the 67 persons, who were charged with the duty of coming to the island and work as teachers, also participate in many social and cultural events of the puppet regime.

    [B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

    [15] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that after the decision on Ahmet Cavit An' s case many other Turkish Cypriots would appeal to ECHR against Turkey, which violates their rights

    Kazim Denizci of AFRIKA (24.02.03) writes in his regular column that after the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the case of the Turkish Cypriot doctor Ahmet Cavit An, many more Turkish Cypriots would appeal -to the ECHR against Turkey, accusing it of violating their rights since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Mr Denizci writes, inter alia, the following:

    ".The case, which our friend Ahmet Cavit An began, has come to an end within ten years. Ot this case, which was filed ten years ago, Turkey is convicted. I congratulate Ahmet An. Of course there will be more. Because this case will be a precedent, the other cases, which have been or will be filed, will not last for so long.

    There will be no freedom of movement because it is restricted by Turkey. Cases will be filed for Turkey's bringing population into the northern part of the island after 1975, turning us into a minority and having our will under occupation. Cases will be filed because it has divided Cyprus into two and distributes false title deeds, .because it has taken away from us our money, our passport, our identity, because it interferes into our elections and it is proved that it exerts pressure via its army and ambassador, because it has its secret services to follow journalists, .because of the beating and suicide incidents in the army, because of the bombing incidents and the confiscations and because of the fact that it has by force taken our innocent people out of the house they were living and its soldiers have beaten them. .Nilgun Orhon, who has been thrown out from the school she was teaching because of the article she had been writing and for 16 months is unemployed and dragged to courts, will also appeal to the ECHR. .

    In the same way that the Turkish Cypriots pay the price since 1974, their savior and its cooperators will pay the price for this account. There must be a price for this illegality and this injustice. And this price must be paid. The case of our friend Ahmet Cavit An has opened a way. Our duty is to walk on this course. .".

    /SK


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