Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-02-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Lord Hanney meets with Mr Rauf Denktas and Turkish Cypriot political party leaders; The British Prime Minister sends a letter to Mr Denktas and Mr Erdogan.

[02] Rauf Denktas alleges that the Annan plan has been prepared by people, who do not know the Cyprus problem.

[03] Eroglu alleges that the wishes of the Turkish Cypriots are not included in the Annan plan.

[04] Erdogan: “The new plan takes into consideration the reservations we voiced during a preivous meeting with Annan.”

[05] The British proposal for the territory of the British Bases was submitted to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

[06] Turkish sources on the meeting between Gul and Annan.

[07] Two thousand persons walk in occupied Famagusta for “peace and the EU”; Turkish Cypriots organize other pro-solution gatherings.

[08] KIBRIS: “Only 26.6 % Support Denktas’ Cyprus Policy”.

[09] Only Annan and Erdogan hope a quick Cyprus fix.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Lord Hanney meets with Mr Rauf Denktas and Turkish Cypriot political party leaders; The British Prime Minister sends a letter to Mr Denktas and Mr Erdogan

After his two-hours meeting with Mr Denktas, Lord Hanney said that yesterday morning British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair sent a written message to the Turkish Cypriot leader expressing his belief that there is now the ground for reaching a just and balanced agreement in Cyprus. Noting that the message had been conveyed to Mr Denktas by the British High Commissioner to Nicosia, Mr Lynn Parker, Lord Hanney added: I too explained to Mr Denktas why this is our opinion and we discussed all the sensitive issues which are on the agenda.

After meeting Lord Hanney, Mr Suha Turkoz, general secretary of the National Unity Party (NUP) argued that the elements necessary for the Turkish Cypriots are not included in the third Annan plan and added: I think that plan which does not reflect the realit ies of Cyprus are not valid.

Furthermore, Huseyin Angolemli, leader of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) expressed the opinion that with the third Annan plan the solution approached much more compared to the previous two plans.

The statements of Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP), were in the same direction. Mr Talat said that the possible obstacles, which could create a problem, have been removed.

Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), stated that he explained to Lord Hanney the elements, which in the future could force the peace process to stop.

Meanwhile, AFRIKA (26.02.03) reports that Mr Blair has also sent a letter to Justice and Development Party (JDP) leader, Recep tayyip Erdogan, noting that the third Annan plan for Cyprus is an opportunity for a solution.

[02] Rauf Denktas alleges that the Annan plan has been prepared by people, who do not know the Cyprus problem

Talking yesterday at a ceremony on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the so-called Pensioner Fighters Association, Mr Denktas claimed: This is an imaginary plan. This is a plan prepared by people who do not know the Cyprus issue. This is a plan to uproot the Turkish Cypriots from their places again in a Cyprus, which is divided for 28 years because of the struggle of the Greek Cypriots to get hold of all Cyprus by force. This is a plan to help the plans of the Greek Cypriots.

[03] Eroglu alleges that the wishes of the Turkish Cypriots are not included in the Annan plan

[04] Erdogan: The new plan takes into consideration the reservations we voiced during a preivous meeting with Annan

Referring to Annan's new revised plan Erdogan expressed the hope that "the new plan, which the Secretary-General is trying to shape, will be the most easily negotiable to date and closest to the realities of the island. We told the Secretary- General that this plan must have the characteristics that safeguard the Turkish Cypriot people's cause for existence and it must be conducive to a solution." He expresses pleasure over seeing that "the new plan takes into consideration the reservations we voiced during a previous meeting with Annan and includes the views of both sides, and that a plan which stipulates a solution in line with these views and which is open to negotiations is taking shape. Undoubtedly, we have not yet seen the entire plan; therefore, it would not be possible or right for me to say categorical and binding things. Naturally, this plan may also have acceptable and unacceptable aspects. I cannot say anything in this regard, because we have not seen it yet. According to our information, the latest plan gives the impression that it is aimed at dispelling as far as possible the concerns raised by the sides during the negotiation process in the past."

Erdogan went on and said: There are signs that the Secretary-General will refer to `two founding states´ and a `partnership state based on two founding component states.´ As for the territorial aspect, he notes, the Turkish Cypriot side will be accorded 29.2 percent of the territories. As you know, this ratio runs parallel to the 29 percent plus provision previously accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side. Also, the authority to grant political citizenship to the immigrants who will cross to the other side is being accorded to the founding component state. As for the security issue, Turkey and Greece will be allowed to station 6,000 troops each on the island. According to the process, a referendum to include the same questions to be held simultaneously on both sides of Cyprus on 31 March 2003 carries great importance. If the plan is concluded on a basis that strengthens these characteristics, I believe that we are now closer than ever to a solution in Cyprus. Reaching a solution in Cyprus through peaceful means would also signal to the world that conflicts can be resolved peacefully, Erdogan stressed.

[05] The British proposal for the territory of the British Bases was submitted to the Turkish Foreign Ministry

British Ambassador to Turkey Peter Westmacott brought the proposal to Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.

Following their meeting which lasted about an hour, Westmacott told reporters that they took up the Cyprus issue and that those days when Annan was paying a visit to the region were important.

Westmacott said that he came to the Foreign Ministry to bring Britain`s proposal. Within that scope, Westmacott noted, they would leave to the new Cyprus state almost half of the territory where bases under British control were situated.

Asked if the mentioned British territory would be given to the Turkish Cypriot or the Greek Cypriot side, Westmacott said that the U.N. was still working on details.

Westmacott noted that what was important was that this proposal of the British government was dependent on a solution because they hoped that this proposal could accelerate an agreement which was of utmost importance for all sides.

[06] Turkish sources on the meeting between Gul and Annan

Sources said that the meeting was held to inform the sides about the revised plan and added that details of the new plan were not taken up at the meeting.

Annan is expected to present the revised plan to the leaders in Cyprus today (26.02.03).

Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and Annan`s Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto made presentations regarding the map in the new plan and informed participants about technical issues at the meeting.

The same sources quoted Annan as saying that they made changes in five issues in the plan by taking into consideration the reservations of the Turkish Cypriot side and stated that to this end, they prepared a ``balanced`` plan which took into consideration the interests of the sides.

Sources said that Annan asked for the support of Turkey on the issue and quoted Annan as saying that Ankara should encourage Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas to accept the plan.

The Turkish side conveyed its concerns over ``political equality and bi-zonal structure`` to Annan and gave the message that the Turkish side supported the process and stated that the other side should also assume the same positive attitude.

The same sources said that Annan was ``optimistic`` about the process.

[07] Two thousand persons walk in occupied Famagusta for peace and the EU; Turkish Cypriots organize other pro-solution gatherings

The participants in the march carried placards with slogans such as Denktas resign, We do not wish to emigrate from Cyprus, EU and solut ion now, peace in Cyprus cannot be prevented, Denktas will go and peace will come etc.

Meanwhile, a group of young people gathered yesterday in front of the residence of the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas calling him to resign and shouting that they are candidates for the so-called presidency. The young people named their gathering operation for saving our future.

[08] KIBRIS: Only 26.6 % Support Denktas Cyprus Policy

KIBRIS reports that the poll showed that peoples view as regards Denktas handling of the Cyprus problem did not change. Since the last poll carried out in January people still believe that Denktas follows a wrong Cyprus policy.

The new poll was carried out between 8-20 February in 63 occupied villages and towns among the age 18 and up and 1349 people took part in the poll. People who are residing permanently in the occupied area were questioned.

The following questions were asked:

The policies followed by Denktas are right               26.6 %
The policies followed by Denktas are partially right     33.8 %
The policies followed by Denktas are wrong               37.3 %
No idea/no answer                                         2.3 %

The poll results according to areas are; (for the same questions)

NICOSIA    24.9 %, 31.3 %, 40 %,   3.8 %
FAMAGUSTA  30.6 %, 38.1 %, 30.9 %, 0.4 %
KYRENIA    24.7 %, 40.7 %, 33.2 %, 1.4 %
MORPHOU    23.3 %, 23.7 %, 50.0 %, 3.0 %
TRIKOMO    34.5 %, 35.3 %, 27.7 %, 2.5 %

The poll results according to age groups: (for the same questions)

18-24  19.2 %, 39.3 %, 39.7 %, 1.8 %
25-34  26.2 %, 37.5 %, 33.6 %, 2.7 %
35-44  18.8 %, 33.0 %, 43.9 %, 4.3 %
45-54  24.2 %, 32.6 %, 25.9 %, 1.1 %
55 +   45.2 %, 27.8 %, 37.3 %, 2.3 %

KIBRIS reports that it will publish the third installment of the results of the poll tomorrow.

[09] Only Annan and Erdogan hope a quick Cyprus fix

Brushing aside criticisms directed at the U.N. plan by the opposition Republican People's Party (RPP) and conservatives in Turkey and by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas, Erdogan told the parliamentary group meeting of his ruling JDP that he believed the new revised proposal included elements aimed at eradicating concerns of the two sides on Cyprus to a large extent.

Erdogan said as he has not yet seen the full text of the U.N. document, he was not in a position to commit himself to it, but added that he believed Cyprus was much closer to an accord than ever.

He said the U.N. plan was the best negotiable document ever submitted for a Cyprus deal and contrary to charges of Denktas, stressed that it was prepared taking into consideration the realities of Cyprus.

Erdogan also expressed his pleasure hearing from Annan and his special envoy Alvaro de Soto that the views he expressed during a meeting in New York in early December were incorporated into the new document.

The JDP leader said it was natural that the document included acceptable elements, as well as unacceptable elements but to his understanding it was a plan aimed at soothing the worries and concerns of both sides on the island as much as possible.

He said the new plan calls for the creation of a new common state by two constituent states. He said Turkish Cypriots would retain 29.2 percent of the island's territory, which he said was in parallel with the "29 percent plus" offer by Denktas years ago.

He said regarding refugees, constituent states were given the right to decide on how to regulate their citizenship rights.

He said with the plan Turkey and Greece, as guarantor countries were given the right to have up to 6,000 soldiers on Cyprus.

Erdogan said the simultaneous referenda on both sides on Cyprus on March 30 would be very important and that if the plan could be completed into an accord it would bring Cyprus closer to a settlement than ever.

He said a settlement on Cyprus would demonstrate that a complicated problem could be resolved through negotiations and thus send the world a strong message that negotiated settlements were possible for all problems of the world.

Subtitle: Turks divided on Annan plan

While the ruling JDP leader was hopeful that a Cyprus deal could be fixed in March and approved at the March 30 referenda held separately by the two states on the island, the Turkish foreign policy decision makers appeared divided on the issue.

The increase in the number of Greek Cypriots to be resettled in northern Cyprus from 65,000 to 85,000 in the new U.N. document was particularly considered as unacceptable and detrimental to the principles of bi-zonality and bi-communality.

Some Turkish official sources underlined that the U.N. document eradicated a major concern of the Turkish Cypriot side by regulating citizenship rights, excluding local elections, of the Greek Cypriots to resettle in northern Cyprus on the basis of ethnicity as regards to elections for the organs of the common state, referred in the document as "United Cyprus State." However, they stressed that resettlement of such a high number of Greek Cypriots was still unacceptable as it would de facto terminate the bi-zonality and bi-communality principles and in the long run could plunge the island into violence again.

The refugees and property rights issues, the sources stressed, ought to be eradicated once and for all with a global compensation and territorial exchanges approach.

"This was what we plainly told the Secretary-General," a source underlin ed.

Turkish Cypriot leader Denktas, who would be meeting with Annan on Wednesday afternoon, has condemned the U.N. plan as a 'crime against humanity' for proposals that include uprooting at least 100,000 people in territory exchanges and return of Greek Cypriot refugees, reiterated Tuesday that if the Secretary-General was travelling to the island to get an accord signed under duress "he better not come."

A source close to JDP leader Erdogan, on the other hand, stressed that the revised plan was, like the previous two versions, established on a delicate balance between the two peoples of Cyprus. He said the new document was far from meeting all the expectations of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, but "sure it won't meet the expectations of Greeks either."

He stressed that if this window of opportunity was not utilized well and the plan was condemned to failure like tens of other past proposals, not only the two peoples of Cyprus but Turkey and Greece would as well miss a historic chance as well.

"A baby cannot be delivered without pain," he said adding that both sides must act with the awareness that for a settlement pain on both sides would be unavoidable.

Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal was non-commital Tuesday on the latest revision of the U.N. plan. "Let's see the text. Let's first examine it," said the undersecretary, stressing that the document was based on a balance between the two peoples of the island and while some improvements appear to have been done in favor of the Turkish Cypriots, some improvements were done for the Greek Cypriots.

He said that before making a comment on the document, the official text needed to be examined well. Ankara, together with Greece and the two sides of the island were provided by the U.N. Secretary-General Sunday with "a preview of the elements" of the second revision to the Annan plan, which was first presented on November 8 and updated on December 10, days before a crucial December 12 summit that decided to sign with Cyprus, and nine other EU membership aspirant countries, on April 16 an accession treaty.

In Ankara talks Monday with Turkish officials, Alvaro de Soto, the special Cyprus envoy of Annan, has reportedly explained the fundamental elements of the new U.N. plan with a demonstration on a map.

Annan said on Tuesday that "decision time has arrived" for a deal on Cyprus.

"If this opportunity is missed it is not clear whether another will occur any time soon," Annan told reporters in Athens.

Annan, who visited Ankara on Monday and goes to Nicosia on Wednesday, has been pushing for a deal on Cyprus ahead of a February 28 deadline so that a united island can sign an accession treaty to join the European Union on April 16. After long and fruitless U.N.-monitored bilateral negotiations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Annan will this week present revisions of his peace proposal to both sides in a last-ditch effort to kickstart sagging talks.

"I provided all concerned this past Sunday with a preview of the elements of what I hope is the final revision of the draft," he said. "The revisions I have in mind will not come as a surprise to the parties."

Annan, on his first official trip to Greece, said he was encouraged by talks he had on Monday with Turkish leaders and hoped a deal could be clinched by the end of the month.

"Perhaps that goal (for a deal) can slip a few days, but to go much beyond February 28 would probably doom the prospect of a reunited Cyprus signing the treaty of accession," Annan said. "Postponing agreement beyond early March would amount to saying `no´ to EU accession by a united Cyprus."

The two communities are scheduled to hold separate referenda on a reunification plan on March 30.

Shortly before leaving Ankara on Tuesday Annan told reporters he felt optimistic "real progress" could be made.

"I'm leaving encouraged and heartened that we can move ahead on our attempts to settle the Cyprus issue and that real progress can be made," he said.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, however, said on Monday a deal by the end of March was almost impossible because of a lack of cooperation from Turkish Cypriots.

Tassos Papadopoulos, the new leader of the Greek Cypriot government, on the other hand, blamed the Turkish Cypriot side for derailing settlement chances.

"Nothing changes because timetables depend on the desire of the Turkish Cypriot side to change its ... intransigent position and really come to negotiate," Papadopoulos said in Athens following two days of talks with Greek officials.

Papadopoulos said a "historic" chance to unite the island was being missed.

"But the solution doesn't only depend on us, but also on the Turkish Cypriot side," he said before returning to Cyprus.

/SK

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