Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-04-04

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/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader sees lack of confidence between the communities in Cyprus.

[02] Talat: Denktas and the Turkish Cypriots have parted roads.

[03] Angolemli accuses Denktas for his six-point proposals noting that he is trying to prevent the feasible from happening by asking the impossible.

[04] "Cyprus Socialist Party" says its positions were distorted by ORTAM newspaper.

[05] Sermet Atancali is the new Spokesman of President Sezer.

[06] Merchant shipping agreement between Turkey and the puppet regime was approved by the Turkish Council of Ministers.

[07] Ignoring the obstacles put by the puppet regime on the bi-communal contacts, DP proposes lifting the limitations on crossings over between the free and occupied areas.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] AFRIKA newspaper accuses Denktas of declaring goodwill measures while at the same time he instigates chauvinism and hatred against the Greek Cypriots.

[09] The General Secretary of RTP demands the application of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader sees lack of confidence between the communities in Cyprus

Talking at a press conference and commenting on President Papadopoulos' reply letter to his six-point proposals, Mr Denktas alleged that President Papadopoulos had not answered to the above-mentioned proposals with this letter.

Mr Denktas said that his proposals were still on the table and added: "In a letter I sent today to him (president Papadopoulos) I repeat that the reason for the non-solution in Cyprus is the lack of confidence. This lack of confidence has been an obstacle during all the stages we have passed through until today. This was also the obstacle during the recent face-to-face talks. I have made my proposals in order to eliminate this (lack of confidence). These proposals are on the table and I want him to re-examine them. In case they act thinking that they would lead Cyprus into the EU on 16 April, I think that they would finalize the division of Cyprus. I have not written this in the letter, but I think that they would act in a wrong manner if they believe that they would solve the Cyprus problem in their favour by acceding to the EU. I think that this would have the opposite result. .The mission of good offices of the UN Secretary - General is still valid and both Turkey and we support this. Of course, this does not mean that the sides would be forced to accept thoughts or plans prepared by others. The good offices mission provides for an approach, which will ensure harmony between the sides. We have told (the UN -Secretary - General) in the Hague that in that plan there were many things which should change and that we could not submit it to our people within the timetable envisaged in it. I rejected it asking for two months time. Mr Papadopoulos has forgotten this. .".

Responding to questions, Mr Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriot side would take some measures after 16 April and added that in case the decision taken then "leaves a door open for a solution" these measures will be "more mild". Mr Denktas said also that he had sent his letter to the UN Secretary - General as well.

Furthermore, the Turkish Cypriot leader alleged that President Papadopoulos replied within a short time to his proposals, aiming at preventing them from gaining international support.

Responding to the negative assessments of the Turkish Cypriot opposition parties, Mr Denktas said that they too do not trust him.

[02] Talat: Denktas and the Turkish Cypriots have parted roads

Addressing the panel, Mr Talat said that the political structure in the Turkish Cypriot side should change in favour of the supporters of the solution in Cyprus and the negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan should resume with the contribution of Turkey.

Referring to the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas' six-point proposals, Mr Talat noted that the Cyprus problem could not be solved with superficial measures and added: ".The Annan plan was submitted a month before the Copenhagen Summit, where Cyprus would have been invited to become a member of the EU. Such a plan was a necessity if the timetables mentioned are taken into consideration. However, Mr Denktas did everything he could to foil the timetables and in the end a great opportunity for the Turkish side was lost. The timetable was reset, but he did not comply with it again and ensured the collapse of the meeting in the Hague. .The roads of the Turkish Cypriots and Rauf Denktas, who supports the status quo, have parted and they could not come together again. A collapse is taking place in front of our eyes and your eyes and a period of full pain, injustice and inequity is ending.".

[03] Angolemli accuses Denktas for his six-point proposals noting that he is trying to prevent the feasible from happening by asking the impossible

"Because Denktas knows very well that on the agenda of both the EU and the UN there is the Annan plan. If this plan is not accepted, absolutely no demand will be welcomed both by these circles and the Turkish Cypriots. .The Annan plan has been rejected because of the wrong policies, which aim at preserving northern Cyprus as a piece of land under Turkey's sovereignty. Not taking into consideration the UN decisions and the documents produced during the substantial talks on the Cyprus issue under the auspices of the UN or trying to create a basis for talks outside the UN, is tantamount to building castles in the air".

Assessing the goal of Mr Denktas by making the above-mentioned proposals, Mr Angolemli expressed the opinion that Mr Denktas aimed at softening the reaction of the Turkish Cypriots against his policy, eliminate the measures to be announced by the Republic of Cyprus towards the Turkish Cypriots, to remove the Annan plan by starting a procedure outside this framework, to show to the world that the Turkish side wants a solution and to influence the resolution of the UN Security - Council on Cyprus, which according to Mr Angolemli, is expected to blame the Turkish side for the collapse of the talks in the Hague. Mr Angolemli reminded that former UN Secretary - General Boutros Boutros Ghali had made proposals similar to the six-point proposals of Mr Denktas, but the Turkish side rejected them.

".Denktas could not make any proposals in favour of the solution, the EU and the Turkish Cypriots", pointed out Mr Angolemli adding: "Denktas has lost his credibility. If he wants to show that he is sincere and if he wants to be credible he has to declare that he demands an agreement on the basis of the Annan plan and the talks to be conducted under the auspices of the UN.".

[04] "Cyprus Socialist Party" says its positions were distorted by ORTAM newspaper

In his letter Mr Suleymanoglu refers to the report in yesterday's edition of the paper regarding the visit by a CSP delegation to ORTAM and says that the party's positions on the Cyprus problem were conveyed with serious distortions. (For yesterday's report see Turkish Mass Media Bulletin No. 62/03, of 03.04.03, Item No. 10).

Mr Suleymanoglu cites his party's policy as follows:

"Our party wants the increasing opposition in north Cyprus to organize with a sense of urgency a 'front' against the status quo and take the will of the people in its hands. With a front based on the slogan `elections now, early elections' the Turkish Cypriots must launch a strategy to `turn Cyprus into a common country'. Cyprus is the common country of both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. In this common country a common state administration on an equal basis should be established.

Our party has never said `yes' to the establishment of a separate state and the consolidation of the country's partition.

As regards the reference in the report that `16 April is important and that the CSP is in favour of the Turkish Cypriots taking their place in the EU with their state order', this is not correct and it does not reflect our party's position. Either through the activation of the `Annan Plan' process or through the framework of the 1960 Republic of Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots must be jointly sovereign. For our party the Turkish Cypriots having `personal rights' on the basis of being bound to the Cyprus Republic is not a solution.

The military and civilian bureaucracy of the Turkish Republic and Denktas' regime ignore the will of the Turkish Cypriots. On the other hand, the Greek Cypriot Administration, which controls the Republic of Cyprus, has not managed to accept the understanding of equality the Turkish Cypriots feel they have as community.

It is necessary that the Greek Cypriot Administration be more serious and sincere for finding a viable solution in our country with the spirit of `equality and joint sovereignty' which is needed for peace".

Finally, Mr Suleymanoglu clarifies that by supporting political equality it supports a common country and that his party is not North Cyprus Socialist Party but simply Cyprus Socialist Party.

[05] Sermet Atancali is the new Spokesman of President Sezer

Mr Ildem said he will be replaced in his post by Sermet Atacanli, whom he presented to the representatives of the press.

In his statements Mr Tacan Ildem assessed the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell's visit to Turkey and said his contacts with Turkish officials were extremely beneficial and took place in mutual understanding.

Referring to the proposal by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas, to hand over to the Cyprus Republic a neighbourhood of the Greek Cypriot occupied city of Famagusta under several political conditions and ignoring completely the fact that since 1963 Mr Denktas is preventing the Greek Cypriots from meeting with their Turkish Cypriot compatriots in order to prove that the two communities cannot live together, Mr Ildem said:

"We expected the Greek Cypriot administration to positively approach the proposal package of Mr Denktas. We still believe that both sides should approach the issue with common sense and calmly as this will be to their advantage."

Responding to questions of journalists about the new move by Rauf Denktas, Ildem said that there was lack of trust in north and south Cyprus against each other, and added:

"We hoped the direct negotiation process which started with the initiative of Mr Denktas would reach success. Yet this was not possible. There was a timetable foreseen by the EU, but we thought that this process could continue within the good-offices mission of the UN Secretary-General. The good-offices mission of the UN Secretary-General is still valid. The suggestions of Mr Denktas created a framework which would increase the trust between the sides, which would overcome the lack of trust between the two sides, which would keep open the dialogue channels, which would increase the contacts between the two sides in Cyprus. This has never been presented as a proposal that would substitute the peace plan, but it would help in the formation of a suitable basis and atmosphere that would contribute to comprehensive talks. The Turkish Republic assessed the proposals as a good willing and constructive initiative which was presented at the right time.

We extended full support to it. We still believe that this proposal is very constructive. We had expected the Greek Cypriot side to positively approach this proposal package. I suppose the Greek Cypriot administration had a great responsibility of approaching positively the proposal package. For the time being, our support to these proposals is full and we will continue to support the productive proposals of Mr Denktas".

[06] Merchant shipping agreement between Turkey and the puppet regime was approved by the Turkish Council of Ministers

The so-called agreement provides for the charting of common policies and widening the relations in the filed of merchant shipping.

[07] Ignoring the obstacles put by the puppet regime on the bi-communal contacts, DP proposes lifting the limitations on crossings over between the free and occupied areas

In a written statement issued yesterday by DP's press office, the party notes that some of the proposals made by Mr Denktas were included in a list of measures it had prepared. DP alleges also that Mr Denktas has proposed "the economic, social and political rapprochement between the two peoples", adding that important steps for peace would be made in case these proposals were accepted.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] AFRIKA newspaper accuses Denktas of declaring goodwill measures while at the same time he instigates chauvinism and hatred against the Greek Cypriots

The commentary, under the title: "Whoever wants may believe you", accuses Mr Denktas of promoting partition and annexation on the one hand, and on the other, trying to persuade that his proposal is made in good faith.

The commentary is as follows:

"Mr Denktas, who has submitted a six-item proposal in return for Mr Papadopoulos suspending the EU, will present this as a goodwill gesture of the Turkish side. The circles of the presidential palace, who say that this proposal was made in goodwill, thinking that they will cheat the people, they fan the flames of the chauvinism in north Cyprus by distributing through the army 800 VOLKAN newspapers and Denktas buying 500 copies of the same paper from the budget of the Presidency. At one point it provides material help. However, their actions do not stop here. The material aid to the Nationalist Hearths established here is continuing. It was only yesterday that one billion Turkish Lira donation from the presidency budget was granted.

Taking into consideration that as it is known, a newspaper which is under the control of the army and supports the non-solution gets assistance through the army and the presidential budget, this package of proposals by Denktas is nothing but a show.

You both support partition and annexation, you spare no material help for promoting this. And on top of it you will say that you want peace. Whoever wants may believe you!".

[09] The General Secretary of RTP demands the application of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus

One of the efforts, again with the help of Denktas, is getting rid of the Annan plan and the other is to consolidate this one-sided membership within the EU process.

Now the Greek Cypriot side, taking a new step towards the EU accession process, says that it will announce new measures regarding the Turkish Cypriot community after 16 April. It is obvious that these measures would be within the simple citizen's rights. First of all, nothing could be so absurd than presenting of issuing a passport as an advantage. Because no state that claims upholding European values would even propose to the people whom it claims to be its citizens the right of acquiring passport and identity cards as favor .In simple terms this is a service that a state should provide to its citizens. As the case is, with what right the Greek Cypriot side could present this as an advantage? I would like to ask the following; could the Spanish government present issuing of passports and identity cards as the Spanish state, to the people living in the Bask region?

This is one part of the issue. Is there any difference between the statement that the Papadopoulos' government would make with that of the Clerides administration regarding the openings that would be provided to the Turkish Cypriots? According to the press, there is not. Again this includes facility to provide passports, job opportunities, help to the needy families and right to engage in trade through the ports of the Republic of Cyprus ( RC) etc.

Well I would like to ask; what is the Constitution of the RC that will be the EU member? What is the order that this Constitution provides? Where is it? For example article 2 of the Constitution of the RC defines the communities that make up the RC. Related to this, the Article 3 of the Constitution of the RC defines the official languages of the RC and they are Greek and Turkish.

In this article I will not try to mention the other articles of the Constitution except Article 6 which stipulates the fundamental rights of the individual.

How come then in the presence of this Article the Turkish Cypriots who receive social insurance payments against their contributions to the Social Insurance Fund receive documents written in Greek and not in Turkish? Why this discrimination by the 'Republic's authorities'? This turns the RC into a Hellenic Republic. Is this compatible with any EU norms? Now the turn will come to take up this issue in the EU organs. Now before you, you will not find Denktas' bigotry but the peace forces of the Turkish Cypriots that identify themselves with the democratic values of the EU. We will not let this island to be ruled by Denktas' reactionaries nor Greek chauvinism. Now it is the turn of the Greek Cypriot Left that supported Papadopoulos to put into practice the Articles of the Constitution of the RC. Let them handle one of the basic articles of the Constitution that is the issue of the Turkish language. I have written earlier that both Denktas and the reactionaries of the south, because of the new conditions existing in Cyprus following the EU membership, have to be afraid of the Turkish Cypriot peace forces."

/SK

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