Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-04-10

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas says that 16 April will not be the end of the world.

[02] So-called universities in the occupied area attend GETEX 2003 in Dubai.

[03] Gul supports Denktas' proposals.

[04] Erdogan, Simitis agree to disagree on Cyprus.

[05] Sezer says Cyprus and Northern Iraq are used to blackmail Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas says that 16 April will not be the end of the world

Talking after a meeting with delegations of Turkish trade unions, which are illegally visiting the occupied areas, Mr Denktas argued that on 16 April the EU would accept only the Greek Cypriots, as the Turkish Cypriots will remain outside the Union. "We are acting together with Turkey", supported the Turkish Cypriot leader alleging that "If you (the EU) wants to accept the 'TRNC' too as your member, come and have contacts with the authorities here. .".

Mr Denktas insisted that they have done the right thing by rejecting the Annan plan and argued that "rejecting a fruit, which today seems to be very good but in the long term could lead the tree to death, is essential in national causes and especially in cases of sovereignty and freedom".

Mr Denktas added: "Those things promised to the Turkish Cypriots in the Annan plan for tomorrow, in long term would turn them into a minority in a Greek Cypriot Republic. The Annan plan was providing for Turkey's complete withdrawal from the island. We could not accept this and we did not accept it".

Furthermore, in statements during another meeting he had yesterday, the Turkish Cypriot leader accused the UN Secretary - General's special advisor for Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto, of trying to deceive him and of blaming the Turkish side for the collapse of the talks in the report he prepared for the UN Security Council because the Turkish Cypriot leader did not "play his game". Mr Denktas said: "The only crime I committed is complaining about de Soto to the UN Secretary - General. This is a report prepared with anger because we had not done what they wanted. .".

Mr Denktas noted that he never lied about the plan, as he had stated clearly that he could not accept it if important changes were not made.

[02] So-called universities in the occupied area attend GETEX 2003 in Dubai

Three hundred participants from thirty countries are taking part in the fair. The so-called East Mediterranean University, Lefka American University, Kyrenia American University and Near East University representatives are attending the fair.

[03] Gul supports Denktas' proposals

When asked to comment on press reports that if the Cyprus government accepts Denktas' proposals and removes the so-called embargoes, Turkey would provide certain facilities to the Cyprus government, Gul said that these were not new elements and that Denktas' proposals embody these issues. He went on and said: "Denktas' proposals are proposals aimed at creating confidence, reciprocal cooperation and constitute an expression of good will. It is preparation for a more comprehensive settlement".

[04] Erdogan, Simitis agree to disagree on Cyprus

According to well-placed sources, while Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis did not lend support to a five-party Cyprus conference proposal by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish premier rejected outright a set of confidence-building measures the Greek premier suggested for improved relations between the two peoples of the eastern Mediterranean island.

Sources told the Turkish Daily News that Erdogan stressed at the summit that he believed a new initiative was needed for a Cyprus settlement, underlined that Cyprus was "too important an issue to be left to Turkish and Greek Cypriots alone" and suggested that a five-party conference that would bring together the two sides on the island and guarantor powers Turkey, Greece and Britain could help resolve the almost four-decade old problem on the island.

Erdogan reportedly further stressed that Turkey would not object to the Americans attending such a five-party conference as "observer" and underlined Ankara's "sincere and determined position to bring an end to the Cyprus problem in a manner that would achieve a lasting and problem-free settlement, acceptable for all parties."

Simitis reportedly rejected the offer on grounds that participation of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides at such a conference on "equal status" would provide legitimacy to the Turkish Cypriot state and underlined Greek support for the continuation of the Cyprus peace efforts within the framework of the good offices mission of the United Nations Secretary-General.

However, to prepare the Turkish Cypriots for an eventual European Union accession, Simitis has reportedly offered Erdogan a set of "confidence building measures" for improved relations between the two peoples of the eastern Mediterranean island.

The measures, which were decided upon by the Greek Cypriot government and expected to be officially revealed after the April 16 signing in Athens of the Accession Treaty with the EU, reportedly included the following 8 articles.

1- The embargo on Turkish Cypriot products will be partially lifted. Through a verification mechanism to be established between the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and the European Union chambers of commerce, export of Turkish Cypriot products as "Produce of Cyprus" will be allowed.

2- Restrictions on Greek Cypriot imports from northern Cyprus will be eased. On a case by case system, individual purchases of up to 30 Cyprus pounds (about $60) per person will be mutually allowed. For example, Greek Cypriots are very much interested in purchasing milk and milk products from northern Cyprus.

3- Under United Nations supervisions, the number of gates between the two sides will be increased and easy access procedures will be initiated to boost social contact.

4- Turkish Cypriots wishing to work in Greek Cypriot territories will be issued Cypriot passports, ID cards and other documents.

5- A monthly 300 Cyprus pound (about $600) payment will be made for each of the Turkish Cypriot families of pre-1974 missing persons. These families will also be given wide access to Greek Cypriot archives to search for their missing relatives.

6- Turkish Cypriot youth will be allowed to benefit from EU youth programs.

7- Telecommunication lines between the two sides on the island, which have been cut since 1974 -- except a few official lines, will be reestablished.

8- Turkish language courses will be launched in Greek Cypriot schools.

Prime Minister Erdogan reportedly rejected the Greek Cypriot proposals explained to him by Simitis, saying they demonstrated a "minority approach" to the Turkish Cypriot people and instead reiterated a set of confidence building measures Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas suggested last week could be a catalyst for a settlement on the island.

Denktas had suggested handing out the Varosha suburb of Famagusta to Greek Cypriot rule and immediate settlement in return for the lifting of embargo on Turkish Cypriots.

The proposals of Denktas were rejected right away by both the Greek Cypriot administration and the Greek government."

[05] Sezer says Cyprus and Northern Iraq are used to blackmail Turkey

Talking at Turkey's War Academies, President Sezer said that Turkey was sensitive on the issue of the territorial integrity of Iraq and added that they think it is important that this region does not pass under the control of any ethnic group.

Referring to Turkey's EU accession course, Mr Sezer noted that the framework and the conditions, under which these relations will be developed, have been defined. The Turkish President added:

"We could not accept any other new conditions except these. We are showing our reaction against the fact that some circles have been recently trying to use the issues of Northern Iraq and Cyprus as a threat and blackmail against Turkey and that they have been criticizing the philosophy of our regime and the basic principles which direct the Republic of Turkey for 80 years. It is not possible for us to consider these statements as statements having good intentions".

/SK

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