Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-03-06

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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 on his departure for Ankara.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with the Turkish Chief of General Staff.

[03] The chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, who got citizenship of the puppet regime in half an hour, ruthlessly attacked Mr Verheugen in the presence of Rauf Denktas.

[04] The Turkish Cypriots under pressure to participate in the rally in favour of Denktas.

[05] Contacts between the so-called Eastern Mediterranean University and Derby University of England.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Columnist assesses the reasons why Rauf Denktas opposes the Annan plan and refers to the number of the illegal Turkish settlers.

[07] Mehmet Ali Birand: "If we are so devoted to international law should we not have the same approach for the Cyprus problem?".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader on his departure for Ankara

Denktas flew to Ankara together with so-called Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, so-called Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Serdar Denktas, so-called Foreign and Defense Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu, and the illegal Turkish Ambassador in occupied Nicosia Hayati Guven.

Following are Mr Denktas' statement and his replies to journalists' questions.

"Prior to the invitation to the Hague, we are going to Ankara for contacts with the Turkish government. Given that the government and the parliament [the Republican Assembly] will be the venue for the decision-making in the period ahead, I am taking the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Republican Assembly with me. We are going together. God willing, we will return on Friday. We will brief you about our Ankara contacts on our return. On that day there will also be a public rally in support of sovereignty. That rally would probably start at around our return time. We will directly go to that rally and convey the information obtained from Ankara to the people first hand. I see that some are working to prevent the rally from becoming a success. People are being told not to attend it because they allege the rally is being organized by a certain group. On the contrary, this is an above-party people's rally. The participating parties are backing it, for which I thank them.

A wrong impression has been given to the world that the Turkish Cypriots are ready, or even are obliged, to sign blindly any document placed before them. This atmosphere was created when the first document came. We struggled, resisted, and asked for changes. Then came the second document, and again pressure was applied on me to immediately sign it. We again resisted and continued the talks. Then came a revised version of the second document. Again, without even bothering to examine the revisions, they [the opposition] said this is the last chance and it should be signed immediately. Now, even if this turns out to be the last chance at the [present round of] talks, other [round of] talks will start. That is, the outside world's effort to find a solution to the Cyprus problem will never end. So, we should focus our attention on defending our state. If we renounce our sovereignty and state, we must know that we will remain in the open and will be dragged about as a minority under others. We are going to Ankara with these thoughts in mind. If the UN Secretary-General gives us the opportunity to further revise his document then we would naturally continue our efforts in that direction."

Question: Do you expect a decision to emerge from your Ankara contacts?

Answer: No, we are going for contacts. I do not think a decision would emerge. If need be a decision could also emerge, but we are not going with that intention.

Question: Do you have a set program, that is, whom will you meet and when?

Answer: Yes, it is set. Today I'll meet the Chief of the General Staff. The contacts will start tomorrow. My friends and I will pay visits to the Speaker of the Parliament and Prime Minister. I will address the parliament. There will also be other meetings, of course.

Question: When will the summit meeting be held?

Answer: I think at 16:00

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with the Turkish Chief of General Staff

Speaking prior to the meeting, General Ozkok said they were pleased with Denktas' visit, and added: "As you know, everyone has been focusing on the Iraqi issue during the past several days. There have been important developments in the Cyprus issue, however. These developments are of vital importance for the `TRNC' and the Turkish Republic. In this regard, the honorable president is conducting this visit just at the right time."

Recalling that he expressed his views with regard to Cyprus during the press conference that was held on 8 January 2003, General Ozkok said: "It is not appropriate to talk about this issue before the honourable president."

Noting that he is very happy to visit the military facilities, Rauf Denktas thanked General Ozkok for his sensitivity, determination, trust worthiness where the Cyprus issue is concerned.

"The Cyprus cause is a joint national cause," said Denktas, and alleged that Turkey made long-lasting efforts to resolve the problems that were created by Greece and the Greek Cypriots for the sake of the "Enosis" cause and that finally Turkey sacrificed its children, launched the "Peace Operation", and established peace.

Noting that currently they are dealing with the Cyprus plan prepared by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Denktas said the following:

"Clerides said to his people: 'Did we not want the Turkish soldiers to withdraw from the island?' This plan is achieving this goal. 'Did we not want all the refugees to return to their homes?' This plan is achieving this goal.

When you look at the plan from our standpoint, you see that our sovereignty right, which is a sine qua non issue for us, is being taken away. Everything we have gained as a result of the `Peace Operation' is being taken away as if we were to blame for this operation. The issues that should have turned into permanent issues, such as bi-zonality and the solution of issues related to border arrangements, are being removed. Some 60,000 to 70,000 Greek Cypriots will live within us. The most fertile lands will be returned to the Greek Cypriots. We have to return all the strategic points. Under these circumstances, we look at an impossible map. The plan seems to be giving us the things that we want in certain parts, but in other parts all our demands are being ignored.

Both parts demand major changes in the plan. They say, however: 'You cannot make any changes.' In other words, we are facing an accomplished fact. They are saying that we are allowed to make minor changes, but that we are not allowed to make major changes. Furthermore, there are many missing pages in the plan. The plan will not be completed until these pages, the laws, and the constitutions are included. It is impossible to complete all this by 30 March."

Explaining that the committees have been working for the past several weeks and that they have been examining the laws passed by the two sides, Denktas continued as follows:

"These laws should be examined meticulously. Some of these laws also concern Turkey. We do not have adequate time to examine all these laws. There are thousands of pages. In this regard, we have the right to ask why they are in such a hurry. We want this plan to be developed. We want the possible changes to be made. We want the plan to include the sine qua non issues. We are not given the opportunity for this, however.

Turkey's signature is required for holding a referendum on this plan. Is Turkey able to sign? If we hold a referendum on this plan, which also refers to Turkey's rights, and if our people vote in favor of this plan, Turkey's rights will disappear. We believe that we do not have the right to do this. They want us to promise that we will immediately hold a referendum on this plan which is very complicated and which should be cleared and further developed.

We are facing a problem and an accomplished fact. We have come to Ankara in order to discuss these problems with the Turkish Government and to make efforts to find solutions."

[03] The chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, who got citizenship of the puppet regime in half an hour, ruthlessly attacked Mr Verheugen in the presence of Rauf Denktas

Mentioning the statements of the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen toward Turkey, Denktas alleged that Turkish Cypriots had been put to mass graves, and that innocent people were killed, and left desperate. He said: ``Greek Cypriots did all those. There would not be even a single Turkish Cypriot left if there was not the help of motherland. The only thing Turkey did was to prevent a genocide.``

Denktas said particularly the international community tried to make the Greek Cypriots enter the EU acting as if all those had not happened, and take the Greek Cypriots as interlocutor on behalf of the whole island as if they are the legal government.

Responding to a question, Denktas said he announced that he would not be able to say ``yes`` to the current shape of Annan`s plan.

When a reporter asked if he could further explain the statement on integration with Turkey, Denktas said they used integration by meaning more sincere and practical cooperation.

Responding to a question if there was bitterness between him and Justice and Development Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Denktas said there was not any sourness between them. Denktas said he would meet with Erdogan tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun said on Wednesday: ``Our 125 thousand members are ready to be human shield in Cyprus.``

Mr Rauf Denktas, the so-called Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas, and the delegation accompanying him to Ankara paid a visit to ATO Chairmna Aygun.

Addressing journalists prior to the meeting, Aygun said about the plan, which was presented to the sides in Cyprus by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan: ``They could not put pressure with the first two plans. Now, the plan was presented for the third time.``

Mr Aygun went on: ``European Union (EU) Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said earlier that if Turkey could not resolve the Cyprus question, it could not become a member of the EU. In fact, the EU should give up its desires about Cyprus. Cyprus is not for sale. Cyprus will not be a second Crete,`` he said.

Aygun added: ``We consider Cyprus a national cause. Our 125 thousand members are ready to be human shield in Cyprus.``

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot "KIBRIS" newspaper (06.03.03) quotes Mr Aygun saying the following, addressing Mr. Verheugen: "I tell you. We too have forgotten you. Forget about Cyprus. Take your dirty hands away from us. Forget the dreams you make about Cyprus."

[04] The Turkish Cypriots under pressure to participate in the rally in favour of Denktas

According to the paper, the so-called public servants of the puppet regime were given orders by the directors of their departments to participate in the rally and were warned that measures will be taken against them if they do not take part in tomorrow's rally. Moreover, school directors called on the students to participate in the rally and distribute leaves of absence to them. The students were also told that they would be punished if they do not attend the rally.

The paper reports that the soldiers of the occupation army were given orders to participate in the rally with their wives and were also instructed to wear civilian outfits during their participation. YENI DUZEN also reports that the occupation army financed advertisements, which were placed, in some newspaper and radio-television stations in the name of various organizations calling on the Turkish Cypriots to take part in the rally.

The paper also writes that a number of "parliament" representatives of the two parties of the coalition "government" of the puppet regime, the Democratic Party and the National Unity Party, stated that they would not participate in the rally.

However, KIBRIS (06.03.03) under the title "DP blows hot and cold" writes that the Democratic Party stated that despite the fact that it is against it, it will participate in the rally, since Denktas is going to be there. As the party stresses it prefers not to get involved in an event that promotes the non-solution, however it will participate in it due to the fact that Rauf Denktas will make important statements in the rally and it will go to listen to what he has to say.

Reporting on the same issue, KIBRISLI, newspaper, (06.03.03) writes the Mufti of Western Thrace, Mehmet Emin Aga, will attend the rally and is expected to address it.

[05] Contacts between the so-called Eastern Mediterranean University and Derby University of England.

The newspaper reports that the delegation of Derby University which consists of Dr. Bob Roberts, Prof. Mike Wiser, Fred Rolland and Julie Guest went to the occupied areas on Tuesday 4th of March and on the following day they had contacts with the authorities of EMU.

The delegations of the two Universities signed a cooperation agreement in the programs of the departments of Business Studies, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Hotel and Tourism and they decided to award diplomas in these programs. Finally, the two Universities decided to organize campaigns to attract students from many countries like Turkey, Iran, Gulf Countries, Spain, Libya, and Egypt.

The delegation of Derby University is leaving the occupied areas of Cyprus tomorrow.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Columnist assesses the reasons why Rauf Denktas opposes the Annan plan and refers to the number of the illegal Turkish settlers

".Denktas cannot find a solution to two basic issues. The first is the population issue. The second is the issue of the properties. According to the Annan plan the population from Turkey which will remain in Cyprus is reduced to 45 thousands. On On the other hand, the 'global exchange of properties' is rejected in the Annan plan. This is the reason why Denktas says that 'the philosophy of the Annan plan is wrong' and does not accept this plan under any circumstances. He says: 'Let Annan prepare another plan'.

The number of the voters in the recent elections on 30 June 2002 was 134 thousands and our population was totally 200 thousands. In the 1976 elections the number of our voters was 76 thousands (the exact number is 75.781) and our total population had been established to be 114 thousands.

During the 26 years which passed since then, the number of our voters has increased to 58 thousands and our total population to 86 thousands. The average percentage of the annual increase of the number of the Turkish Cypriots is 0.005 %. On the other hand, statistics confirm that 53 thousand Turkish Cypriots emigrated abroad since 1974. Based on these realities we could say the following:

The number of the Turkish Cypriots within the total population of the `TRNC' is 80 thousands at the most, while the number of the Turkish Cypriot voters within the total number of the voters is only 54 thousands.

The problems of Denktas start exactly from this point. If he says `yes' to the Annan plan he will approve sending back to Turkey at least 70 thousand citizens of `TRNC' of Turkish origin. If he says `no' to the plan charges will be filed at international courts against Denktas and Ankara after the Greek Cypriots accede to the EU.

In the same way, he is in trouble on the territorial issue as well. According to the international law, he should not have given title deeds for the Greek Cypriot properties. In case the plan is accepted, all the title deeds will become invalid and the housing scandal will come to the surface. In case he rejects the plan, thousands of Loizidou cases will come and this issue will cost Turkey at least 30-35 billion dollars. Furthermore, even paying this money will be of no use. The Greek Cypriot property will continue to belong to the Greek Cypriots. .

He could not accept the referendum in such a case. The reason is the following: If the total of the 80 thousand voters of Turkish origin vote, the result will be no. In such a case the Turkish Cypriots will rebel. If only the Turkish Cypriots vote at the referendum, then this will not be fitting Denktas' plans, because our real population will be revealed.

Perhaps the middle way could be, as provided in the Annan plan, preparing a list by 25 March with the names of the 45 thousand persons of Turkish origin who will be citizen of Cyprus and submit this list to the UN. These people could vote at the referendum together with the Turkish Cypriots. However, this too does not suit Denktas because the result of the referendum will be `yes'.

The only way out for Denktas is to forget the referendum and leave the issue to time to solve by applying the 'God's Will prevails' formula, which is very popular in Turkey lately".

[07] Mehmet Ali Birand: "If we are so devoted to international law should we not have the same approach for the Cyprus problem?"

Mr Birand also criticizes the Turkish side, and especially Denktas, because although all their demands for changes to the initial Annan plan have been adopted, they still insist that it should change again.

The commentary is as follows:

"The Gul government and JDP leader Erdogan describe the rejection of the Iraq "note" by Parliament as "people's victory". Many columnists and leading JDP figures, subscribe to this idea. They are claiming that the party has not been isolated from the people. They stress that deputies have found the right track because they listened to the voice of the man in the street. They are right.

The voice of the man in the street is very important. The general tendency in a society either adds to the strength of a political party or diminishes it. This is the most basic principle of democracy. If a government takes certain decisions despite the society it definitely pays a price.

The "international legitimacy" issue was another factor on which Parliament and, especially, President Sezer, dwelt on. In other words, part of the JDP deputies and all of the RPP deputies, have shared the same view as Sezer. They said that only the U.N. Security Council could "give legitimacy" to a potential Iraq operation. They have maintained that the Security Council had to adopt a second resolution for the government "note" to be able to be adopted by the Turkish Parliament. They have given the Security Council the status of an international tribunal. They have pegged the Parliament decisions to a potential Security Council resolution.

It is all very well -- up to this point.

However, a country has to be consistent. If it is not it loses credibility. One day you may be asked to live up to your words.

Subtitle: Are the same criteria valid in Cyprus? Now we should be applying to Cyprus the criteria valid for the Iraq "note", shouldn't we?

The Turkish Cypriot people are out in the streets. A great part of the population are screaming for a solution.

No one hears their voice. They ignore this issue, saying, "People would not understand. The leadership would have a better idea of what their interests require."

What about the Security Council resolution which boycotts the `TRNC', refusing to recognize it? If we are so devoted to international law should we not have the same approach to the Cyprus issue?

Are we going to accept it when it suits our interests and reject it in some other cases? If this is so let us know it.

Subtitle: What changes have the U.N. made in the plan? UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expects the two Cypriot leaders to be in the Hague on Monday, March 10.

Denktas and Papadopoulos will each tell Annan, either "Yes, I accept this plan in principle and I will submit it to a referendum on March 30," or "No, I do not accept it and I will not submit it to a referendum." This is the scenario. However, it is not clear whether Denktas will go. What is clear is that the `TRNC' president wants to reject this plan by getting Turkish President Sezer and the Turkish Armed Forces to his side.

Naturally, as it has always been the case, when big problems get experienced due to Cyprus in the future, neither Denktas nor Sezer nor the commanders will take responsibility. The entire burden will be shifted onto the young generation.

Out of curiosity I looked into this matter. What changes Annan has made on certain issues to which the Turkish side attaches great importance.

Bizonality

The Turkish side has been sensitized mostly due to the possibility of the Greek Cypriot refugees migrating to the Turkish zone "too soon and in too great numbers", thus upsetting the balance in the Turkish zone since they would have the right to vote. On this issue Annan has made major changes, bolstering the bizonality:

* The arrival of the Greek Cypriot refugees was to begin six months after the signing of the agreement. Due to the objections voiced by Denktas this time span has been expanded first to four years and then to six years. For a period of six years no migrants under the age of 65 will be able to cross into the North.

* The number of returning refugees was, during the first ten years, to be limited to 7 percent of the local population in their destination. Up to fifteen years that would be limited to 18 percent of the local population in the region that is their destination. And, beyond the first fifteen years, that would be limited to 28 percent of the local population in the region that is their destination.

Now these ratios have been brought down to 7 percent, 14 percent and 21 percent. Now the number of Greek Cypriot refugees who would return to their homes in the Turkish zone is now being calculated to be no more than 12,000.

* The Greek Cypriots returning to their homes not have the right to vote and they will abide by all the rules set by the Turkish administration.

Territory

* The first plan would leave part of the territory to the Greek Cypriots so that thousands of Greek Cypriot refugees could be settled there. Due to the insistent objections expressed by the Turkish side, especially by the armed forces, the entire Karpass has been left to the `TRNC'. (Frankly, one cannot understand why they had insisted so much on that piece of uninhabited land where only rogue donkeys roam.) For that reason the Greek Cypriot refugees are being settled in much more fertile areas. This is why the border line between the two zones could not be corrected.

* The initial plan would leave 28.7 percent of the territory to the `TRNC'. The Third Plan raises this to 29.2 percent.

Number of troops

* The initial plan said that Turkey and Greece would be able to keep on the island a maximum 9,999 troops each. The latest plan raises this figure to 12,000.

* No reduction will be made in the military presence until Turkey becomes a full member of the EU.

Turkish mainland settlers

* With the Third Plan the `TRNC' gets what it wants: 60,000-65,000 Turkish nationals who, coming from Turkey, have settled in the `TRNC' will be able to remain there, ultimately becoming citizens.

* The 18,000 Turkish university students too will be given a special status so that they will be able to complete their education.

`TRNC' will be 'constituent'

* Here is another highly important change. The `TRNC' is being acknowledged as a "constituent state" as opposed to a "partner state". Thus the `TRNC' will be considered part of the Cyprus Republic as a separate and sovereign element.

Yet, Denktas says these do not suffice and that the Annan Plan must be further altered, even re-written.

Therefore he is preparing to depart for the Hague in order to say "No""

/SK

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