Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-03-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Denktas admits that Turkey was called an occupier in the past as well.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader underwent a medical check-up in Istanbul.

[03] Mr Rauf Denktas blames the EU for his intransigence.

[04] The press and officials from all over the world accuse Denktas and Ankara.

[05] Yasar Yakis on the ECHR decision on the Ocalan case.

[06] Mr Bulent Arinc describes as blackmail the EU position on Cyprus.

[07] The Turkish Foreign Ministry invokes the 1960 agreements for Turkey's illegal invasion.

[08] Turkish daily writes that Turkey was warned about the consequences of saying "no" to the Anna plan.

[09] Strong criticism of the occupation regime by Turkish Cypriot doctors.

[10] Emergency Action Plan suggested by AFRIKA newspaper.

[11] A cooperation agreement was signed between the so-called European University of Lefka and Yanbian University of China.

[12] The puppet regime is accused of issuing "citizenship" to 1600 settlers within 3 months.

[13] Mehmet Ali Talat and Huseyin Angolemli will continue the struggle for peace in Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Isn't there any other path?

[15] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Denktas and the civilian and military bureaucrats who support him buried the Annan plan in the Hague.

[16] Columnist in AFRIKA supports that Turkey and Denktas rejected the Annan Plan in order to avoid war crimes charges

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Denktas admits that Turkey was called an occupier in the past as well Istanbul NTV Television (13.03.03) broadcast statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas to Mithat Bereket.

"I continuously conveyed these facts to the UN Secretary-General. In fact, lastly, I told him that this is not the time for you to come to Cyprus, you will go back empty-handed. This concerns your reputation, because there is no foundation for conciliation."

Mr Denktas also tried to defend that Turkey will not be an occupier just because the EU say so, and went on:

"They are saying that there will be chaos and disaster. Why? Because Turkey will be called an occupier. Are they not saying this even now? Even now they are calling Turkey an occupier. Has Turkey become an occupier just because it was called an occupier by others or because the Greek Cypriots engaged in such propaganda?"

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader underwent a medical check-up in Istanbul

When leaving the hospital, Denktas told reporters that he came to hospital for a check-up. Prof. Dr. Ferhat Erisir said that Denktas had a problem in his vocal cords.

Erisir said that he examined Denktas and added: ``Denktas had edema in his vocal cords. He has nothing else. He is about to recover. Denktas has no serious illness.``

[03] Mr Rauf Denktas blames the EU for his intransigence

In statements during the visit Mr Denktas said that the EU blocked the Cyprus talks by guaranteeing membership to Cyprus. As he was leaving the governor's office, Denktas also replied to questions on the statement Mr Verheugen made to a German daily.

"This is not a decision that Mr Verheugen will be making. It is a decision that should be made by the EU member countries. Mr Verheugen has continuously and for years been doing everything in order to frighten us and Turkey. He has done all he can to encourage the Greek Cypriots. He is a bureaucrat. His statements reflect his own views," he said.

[04] Turkish Cypriot newspapers and officials from all over the world accuse Denktas and Ankara for the negative outcome of the Hague talks

KIBRISLI (13.03.03) notes that "the Hague summit was the grave of the Annan plan" and adds: "Denktas, who thinks that he has won a victory in The Hague, does not realize that he prepared the end of the status quo, which he defends with enthusiasm. Turkey is facing the danger of losing its rights in Cyprus because of Denktas' non-solution policy. Turkey must immediately undertake a diplomatic initiative for a solution on the basis of the Annan plan. ".

ORTAM (13.03.03), under the banner front-page title "It is their turn", writes that the Turkish Cypriots are continuously struggling for the solution of the Cyprus problem and democracy and adds that "the people of Turkey must try more for paving the way for Turkey, which wants to begin its EU accession talks in November 2004". "Now is the time for the struggle of the people of Turkey", notes ORTAM.

Furthermore, in its inside pages KIBRIS reports that Mr de Soto noted that Mr Denktas rejected the spirit and the philosophy of the Annan plan and made a mistake on the establishment of the technical committees. "Mr Denktas had not appointed the representatives (in the committees) and had not moved fast enough. Very valuable time has been lost", said Mr de Soto adding that in The Hague Mr Denktas rejected the 30 March referendum, while President Papadopoulos accepted it under some conditions.

"He was not as ready as Mr Papadopoulos", continued the UN official and added: ".Of course there is a constitutional issue. Turkey could not enter into a binding agreement on the security in case the Assembly had not taken such a decision. .However, Mr Papadopoulos was ready in case a way was found, for the sake of solving these issues. .".

Mr de Soto accused also Mr Denktas of not wanting to remain within the framework and the timetable proposed by the UN Secretary - General.

[05] The Turkish Foreign Minister criticizes the ECHR decision on the Ocalan case. He regrets that his predictions about the occupation army came true

Replying to reporters' questions in parliament, Yakis asserted that Ocalan was put to a fair trial. He added: "The ECHR is saying that he was not judged fairly because of certain procedural issues. Even if those changes are made, Abdullah Ocalan would receive the same sentence if tried again."

Asked if pressure was exerted on the ECHR, Yakis said: "I would not even want to think about such a thing in connection with the judicial independence."

On a question regarding Cyprus, Yakis said: "I had voiced a concern in the past. I had said that if the EU admits the Greek Cypriot Administration on its own, then the Turkish army will be considered an occupying force. I was concerned about that. I was hoping that I would be wrong, but it turns out that I was not. I regret this situation very much."

[06] Mr Bulent Arinc describes as blackmail the EU position on Cyprus

"This is a very wrong statement. This is definitely not possible. This might be a blackmail. We categorically reject this," he said.

[07] The Turkish Foreign Ministry invokes the 1960 agreements for Turkey's illegal invasion and occupation of a small defenceless member of the United Nations state

Filori had said that the Greek Cypriot side would be a European Union (EU) member in May 2004 ``in any condition`` and ``Turkey would be considered as occupying EU territory when Cyprus joined the EU as a full member.``

A statement of the Foreign Ministry alleged that Turkey`s military presence on the island was based on its rights stemming from the international agreements.

The statement further claimed that Turkey staged the 1974 military invasion in line with its rights and obligations under 1959-1960 agreements.

The statement went on asserting that Turkey had the right to deploy soldiers on Cyprus as a guarantor state within the terms of the Treaty of Guarantee and Treaty of Alliance.

Turkey, as a guarantor state, had always continued to support efforts of United Nations Secretary-General to find a comprehensive solution to the issue, the statement noted.

The statement added: ``The EU doesn`t have the right to take one-sided decisions on the future of Cyprus and cause international problems by considering international agreements regarding Cyprus as non-existent. The statement of the EU Commission`s spokesman does neither have a legal basis nor help efforts for peace and compromise on Cyprus.``

[08] Turkish daily writes that Turkey was warned about the consequences of saying "no" to the Anna plan

"The harsh statements made yesterday on the Cyprus issue by the EU Commission have caused concern in Ankara. According to information obtained from diplomatic sources, the Turkish government has been warned that, by saying "no" to the Plan [the Kofi Annan Plan for a solution to the Cyprus problem], Turkey's own process of acceding to the EU could encounter serious risks. One top-level official, who preferred to remain unidentified, listed as follows the likely ramifications of such a decision:

Points of Concern

- Turkish Cypriots' falling for provocations and fleeing from the `TRNC' in order to enter into the EU could cause serious losses. If the situation should come to resemble that of East Germany, the Turks of Cyprus would not be able to maintain their existence.

- In the event of the Annan plan's not being accepted by the two sides, the possibility of EU membership for the Greek Cypriot side only in 2004 would be recognized, due to the inequitable EU policy which favors the Greek Cypriots. Both Turkey and the `TRNC', meanwhile, would enter into a difficult period.

- Turkey could encounter problems introduced by the new member, Southern Cyprus. Turkey's own EU [accession] process, and particularly its goal of obtaining a negotiating date in 2004, would be at risk.

- The Greek Cypriots could exert pressure, and new conditions could be imposed for Turkish membership.

- Propaganda that Turkey is an "occupier" of EU territory could lead to new decisions being taken in various EU institutions, particularly the European Parliament. Included among these decisions could be elements such as [insistence on] the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island.

- The Greek Cypriot and Armenian lobbies, as well as supporters of the PKK [Workers' Party of Kurdistan] and KADEK [Freedom and Democracy Party of Kurdistan], could form a front opposed to Turkey within the EU. Such a process could damage Turkey's effectiveness in the international arena." 9.Strong criticism of the occupation regime by Turkish Cypriot doctors for preventing the EU Ambassador from visiting the occupied areas Turkish Cypriot newspaper YENIDUZEN (13.03.03.) publishes a press release issued by the Turkish Cypriot Medical Union by which the occupation authorities are strongly criticized for preventing Mr Adriaan van der Meer, Ambassador of the EU to Cyprus, from visiting the occupied areas.

Under the title "The prohibitionists again on the scene", the paper joins its voice with that of the President of the Turkish Cypriot Medical Association, Dr. Ahmet Gulle, stressing that those who are afraid of the people being informed about the EU, who have condemned the Turkish Cypriots to isolation and who approach the movement across the island with a prison mentality, continue to behave arbitrarily.

In his statement Mr Gulle explains that within the 14 March Medical Week, Mr Adriaan van der Meer was invited to address a seminar, which was postponed because of the unacceptable behaviour of the so-called authorities to prevent him from going to the occupied areas, he apologizes to the participants and adds:

"The EU perspective provides very important opportunities for increased and faster economic development and for solutions and peace for the countries related to the Cyprus problem. For this reason the approach to the issue with a rejectionist and prohibitionist mentality does not fit with contemporary thinking. Consequently, we condemn strongly this kind of actions and wish that they will not be repeated".

[10] Emergency Action Plan suggested by AFRIKA newspaper to counter the non-soluion

The paper then suggests its five point "Emergency Action Plan" as follows:

· The opposition MPs should immediately leave the parliament .

· The Trade Unions should declare indefinite strike and they should paralyze the life.

· Continuous and sustained meetings and rallies should be held and tents should be erected .

· Recourse to the European Court of Human Rights. Mass lawsuits should be filed for not permitting the crossing to South Cyprus.

· All the opposition parties in Cyprus should warn Ankara that unless the Annan plan is adopted until 16 April they will brand Ankara officially as occupier.

[11] A cooperation agreement was signed between the so-called European University of Lefka and Yanbian University of China

The newspaper reports that the two Universities signed a cooperation agreement for their Bachelor's and MA degree programs. Their cooperation agreement contains, inter alia, a cooperation in the fields of research, projects, conferences and seminars.

The Rector of the so-called European University of Lefka Prof. Dr. Yildirim Oner, said that the contacts of the "Universities" are very important because they help "TRNC" to be known abroad.

[12] The puppet regime is accused of issuing "citizenship" to 1600 settlers within 3 months

Commenting on this issue Mr Talat said that their initiative to institute a judicial proceeding was sparked by the acquisition of the "citizenship" by Sinan Aygun, the president of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce within half an hour, Bayrak concluded.

Moreover, as YENI DUZEN (13/03/03) wrote, according to records given by the so-called Supreme Court Secretariat, 1600 persons were given "citizenship" of the puppet regime within three months, between June 2002 and September 2002. In addition, false addresses were reported as the permanent addresses of the persons that were granted the "citizenship". For example places like the open-air museum and the Snake Island were written in the "identities" of these persons as their permanent addresses in the pseudostate.

According to Mr Talat, none of the "citizenships" issued was published in the so-called official gazette of the pseudostate. He also noted that a great number of these "citizenships" have been issued for various reasons without any investigation for a long time now and stressed that this problem has re-surfaced with the latest UN-sponsored plan and its expected submission to a referendum. Noting that these lawsuits is only the first step taken, Mr Talat stressed that his party will complain for this matter to the European Union.

[13] Mehmet Ali Talat and Huseyin Angolemli said that they will continue the struggle for peace in Cyprus

Mehmet Ali Talat, the chairman of Republican Turkish Party (RTP), said that the persons who want solution for Cyprus would continue the struggle until peace prevails in the island. He also said that they will try everything "except to burn the /parliament/" within the democratic framework for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Mr Talat also stated that they would convey to international platforms the campaign against Rauf Denktas and stressed that his party will push for early "elections" in the pseudostate at the right moment. Stating that the failure of the Hague talks was a "success" only for Rauf Denktas, Mr Talat said that Mr Denktas does not represent the Turkish Cypriots. He also said that Mr Denktas does not pay attention to what the Turkish Cypriots believe and noted that the whole world must recognise that Mr Denktas is the dictator of the pseudostate.

On his part Huseyin Angolemli, the leader of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP) also said that they would continue the struggle for the solution of the Cyprus problem. Stressing that they will show to the whole world the will of the Turkish Cypriots for solution and EU accession, Mr Angolemli said that they would even apply to the European Court for Human Rights. He also said that the UN Plan remains on the table and that a new era hast started for Cyprus. Mr Angolemli noted that Denktas would become "the problem of the Turkish people". In addition, during a meeting he had yesterday with Lyn Parker, the British High Commissioner, Mr Angolemli said that Rauf Denktas along with the army and the state bureaucrats in Ankara, who supported him, are responsible for the failure of the Hague talks.

Speaking on behalf of the National Unity Party (NUP), Suha Turkoz, the general secretary of NUP, said that the Secretary-General of the UN should have not submitted the UN Plan for a solution of the Cyprus Problem. Mr Turkoz said that the Cyprus problem lasted for 40 years now. Therefore it was not possible to be solved in such a short time.

On his part, Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the chairman of the Renewal Progressive Party (RPP) said that the peace process "must be sought with stubbornness" and stressed that they should avoid negative stands. He also stressed that the Turkish Cypriots must try so that their alternatives match their benefits.

As the paper reports the Democratic Party (DP) has not completed the evaluation of the developments after the Hague talks as well as the steps to be followed by the pseudostate.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Isn't there any other path?

"They say that Denktas would put his views on a paper and send it to the Greek Cypriot leader and he in turn would study this paper and would invite Denktas telling him: ' come on, let us solve this problem'. This is nothing but a dream." Kohen says.

Kohen goes on and says: "We do believe that when Denktas proposed this idea he too did not believe that this could be realized."

"So as the case is, it is no good to sit and elaborate on who is responsible or who is right or who is wrong. It is better to start thinking what should be done to preclude Turkey's further cornering and securing a way out. The Turkish diplomacy is in a position to find such a way out. It is enough if it demonstrates a stronger will and determination as regards a solution", Kohen notes and asks: "What could be the other path?" And says: "The idea put forward by ex-Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem should be evaluated: Turkey should take the initiative together with the other two guarantor powers; Greece and Britain. It would be beneficial if the new government takes up this issue and opens the file that includes certain work done by the Turkish Foreign Ministry two years ago and takes the necessary initiatives.

If adopted, this direct negotiation method will do away with the unfruitful negotiations being carried out between Denktas and his Greek Cypriot interlocutor as well as the foreign intervention about which, especially the Turkish side, complains".

Kohen then recalls former Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik's suggestion last year that the Cyprus problem should be taken up by Greece and Turkey within a comprehensive dialogue." Such an approach will help solve together with the Cyprus problem the other Greco-Turkish issues in a balanced manner", Kohen concludes.

[15] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Denktas and the civilian and military bureaucrats who support him buried the Annan plan in the Hague

"The summit in the Hague is over. What is the result? In my opinion the hope for finding a solution through an agreement to the Cyprus problem and the Annan plan have been buried in the Hague. To those who ask: 'have you been expecting a positive result in the Hague' my answer is 'yes'. I was expecting the talks to continue until the end of March. However, this did not happen.

Mr Denktas and the civilian and military bureaucrats who support him found the opportunity in the Hague to burry the Annan plan together with the hopes for a solution. They did not avoid making good use of this opportunity. While we have been discussing whether or not the Annan plan is good or bad, they used the historical opportunity they acquired. Congratulations. Now there is no plan, no solution. What will happen now? Those who are against the solution and the plan will tell us what is going to happen now. .

The UN Secretary - General has said farewell to Cyprus with a dramatic statement. He said that the efforts of the UN towards finding a solution had come to an end and that the Annan plan was no longer there. The UN is being prepared to close down its office in Cyprus as well. Mr Denktas must have been very pleased with this development, as he had described it as 'very useful'. Before finding the opportunity to say that we shall all together see whether or not this is useful, the EU bomb exploded: 'If Turkey does not solve the Cyprus problem it will be an occupier on the Cyprus territory'. .

Those who were saying that there would be a disaster in case the negotiations stopped and the UN withdrew proved to be right. Now Turkey will see how this disaster will happen. It will live and learn what is the cost of the outworn order they have established in Cyprus with the special skills of the military and civilian bureaucrats. Those, who are planning the continuation of the non-solution and of this outworn order they established by silencing the Turkish Cypriots and by taking them captive forever, will now begin to understand one by one the harms they have done to both the Turkish Cypriots and the people of Turkey. I wish they realize this soon.

Is it possible to reach a solution and achieve the accession to the EU with those who do not believe in the solution and the EU? The summit in the Hague showed once more that this is not possible. It is never possible. It is not possible as it is not possible to achieve this by organizing rallies, lighting candles and making halvah. The period of romanticism is over. .

The institutions, which belong to the Turkish Cypriots, have one after the other been occupied. The parliament, the government, the civilian and military institutions and the BRT (translator's note: the illegal Bayrak radio and television) have been occupied. With their will to claim to be the owners of their country, the Turkish Cypriots must put an end to this occupation and they must get back their state. .Now is the time to say farewell to romanticism."

[16] Columnist in AFRIKA supports that Turkey and Denktas rejected the Annan Plan in order to avoid war crimes charges

"There is neither a plan nor solution. Isn't occupation of a country a crime? Isn't changing the demographic structure of a country by bringing in settlers a crime? Isn't issuing illegal title deeds in a country a crime? You will come up and say that it is the guarantor power and it could do these things. Then we have to ask, did it get the guarantorship right to commit these crimes?

Here it is, Turkey together with Denktas have rejected the Annan plan and refused to hold a referendum in order not to account for the crimes that they have committed in Cyprus. For us Turkey for years is an occupier in Cyprus and not after 16 April as the EU declared. Now one has to ask the EU when the sanctions to be imposed on an occupier will be on the agenda. Since Turkey has decided whom to side with; not with the EU but with the USA," Denizci concludes.

/SK

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