Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-04-14

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Prime Minister will not attend the 16 April Athens EU Summit.

[02] Mr Gul's views on Cyprus' accession to the EU.

[03] Statements on Cyprus from an exclusive interview with the Turkish Foreign Minister by Turkish Daily News.

[04] The leader of Turkey's main opposition wants efforts to be exerted for recognition of Ankara's puppet regime in occupied Cyprus.

[05] RTP will launch an initiative before the EU organs claiming "the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, which are being wrongfully seized".

[06] Akinci reiterates at the Harvard and Yale universities that the sovereignty in the occupied areas is in the hands of Denktas and Turkey.

[07] Independent deputy Zeydan joins the Motherland Party.

[08] The new Turkish government strengthens its relations with Israel.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Kamuran Inan: Turkey is experiencing the most widespread isolation of its history.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Prime Minister will not attend the 16 April Athens EU Summit

Following are Mr Erdogan's replies to questions on Cyprus: We asked Erdogan whether he would attend the ceremony that will be held in Athens on 16 April, during which 10 new countries will become EU members.

He answered: "The foreign minister will attend the ceremony."

Referring to the reports to the effect that "by participating in the ceremony, Turkey will be recognizing the Cyprus Republic," Erdogan said the following:

"They say that 'we will be recognizing the Greek sector.' We should not look at the issue from this standpoint. We should look at the issue from the international standpoint. Are those who note that we should not recognize it not going to the football matches between South Cyprus and Turkey? Did the Greek Cypriot national team not come to Turkey? Those who issue such statements are not sincere. What happened when we failed to recognize the Greek Cypriot Administration? Nine additional countries will become full members in the EU during this ceremony. Is the Greek Cypriot Administration the only country that will become an EU member? We cannot ignore our relations with them."

[02] Mr Gul's views on Cyprus' accession to the EU

Commenting on the ceremony of signing the EU membership of Cyprus, which he will also attend, Gul said: "Attending this ceremony does not mean that we are accepting the views that we have not adopted. We will not abandon our target of gaining EU membership merely because south Cyprus is entering into the EU without our initiative. It would be wrong to abandon our EU target for this reason alone. Attending these kinds of ceremonies does not mean that we are accepting their views. They [Greek Cypriots], for their part, attended the meetings held in Istanbul in the past. Their flag was also hoisted during these meetings in Istanbul. This did not mean and will not mean in the future that we approved everything they said. Moreover, there is a one-year process ahead of us. Should we find a solution to the Cyprus problem, this solution would also be valid [for Turkey's EU membership]. The door has not been closed."

[03] Statements on Cyprus from an exclusive interview with the Turkish Foreign Minister by Turkish Daily News

Following are Mr Gul's replies to questions on Cyprus:

Question: There is an interesting situation at the United Nations Security Council on the Cyprus issue. There is a division among the permanent members. While the U.S. and Britain are supporting a resolution calling for a Cyprus settlement within the framework of the so-called Annan plan, China and Russia have been saying the plan was not accepted by the parties on the island and thus there should not be attribution to it or to any other plan in the Cyprus resolution. This is happening at the council on Cyprus for the first time. How do you evaluate this?

Answer: With the Iraqi situation, the entire international community, all international bodies are divided. First of all the umbrella organization of the international community was divided. Then the EU, NATO divided. Neighbors divided... Canada, Mexico and the United States, for example, adopted separate attitudes. Division in Europe has been a very deep one. This division once again surfaced. These are the realities that the world is facing today. It is time to get reorganized. This process has started and now many are saying "Whatever has happened, happened, now let's reorganize." There is an intense effort to that end.

Question: Although the entire world and all international bodies were divided in the wake of the war on Iraq, what is interesting is that on the issue of Cyprus, for the first time, permanent members of the Security Council have adopted different positions...

Answer: Not only the Turkish Cypriot side, but Greek Cypriots also rejected the document presented by the U.N. Secretary-General. The Turkish Cypriot side expressed clearly their opposition to the plan, while the Greek Cypriot side presented even a longer list of objections. But, because the Turkish Cypriot side declared its opposition, the blame of the failure of the plan was placed on Turkish Cypriots.

This plan was not found acceptable by either side on the island and it has to be seen that the plan needed to be improved so that it could form the basis of talks. The U.N. has realized as well that this plan was unacceptable by either side. In the period ahead, there will be work on this document.

Question: At the Belgrade meeting Turkey proposed a five-party conference scheme for a settlement on Cyprus -- the two parties on Cyprus and three guarantor powers Turkey, Greece and Britain. Greece rejected this offer. Now, will Turkey support the U.N. framework for a Cyprus settlement, or continue suggesting this five-party scheme?

Answer: The five-party mechanism could not be established at this point. We made that suggestion in demonstration of our goodwill to use every possible platform and means for a Cyprus resolution. We are of the opinion that all means must be tested. We made the proposal in that framework. But, we are committed to the U.N. framework also.

Question: After the Justice and Development Party (JDP) came to power, we have started hearing from Western diplomats and politicians that they have started hearing a "different voice" from Ankara. They were saying for the first time a Turkish government was "sincerely" talking about a Cyprus settlement, Turkey's European Union membership, full integration with the West. However, in recent times we have started hearing different voices complaining that the JDP has accommodated itself with the "established system" in Turkey. Has there been such a transformation in Turkey, are they misunderstanding Turkey now or were they misunderstanding you before?

Answer: You have used the word transformation. There is a difference between transformation and revolution. Transformation is continuing. If we were expected to make sudden moves and changes without establishing consensus in the country, that would lead to discord, and that was wrong. But, there is no hesitation in our direction and determination. Therefore, we shall take necessary risks, shall not hesitate in expressing our political will when required, but in doing so, obviously, we shall take care of the sensitivities of a transition period.

If we are to talking on Cyprus, we are clear on that: We want a settlement.

If we are talking of Turkey's future, we want to place Turkey's EU membership in the EU on a path of no return. We want that not because of the EU, but because the Turkish nation deserves this. We consider this a persistent and continuous process. Our approach is not one to get prepared for a meeting and shelve everything once the meeting was over, starting to act again when a new meeting was approaching. This, for us, is a continuous process. Even while most important developments are unfolding, we are progressing on this process.

For example, while we have the Iraqi crisis, we have legislated through Parliament two important democratization packages. Not only we are saying this, the Europeans as well are acknowledging this fact. Now, we are in the process of legislating a third democratization package. It will soon be dispatched to Parliament.

It has become a fashion to make such accusations, such criticisms against ourselves.

[04] The leader of Turkey's main opposition wants efforts to be exerted for recognition of Ankara's puppet regime in occupied Cyprus

"It has now become clear that nothing can be achieved by means of a policy aimed at obstructing south Cyprus, not recognizing it, or acting against it. Rather than preoccupy ourselves with south Cyprus, we must now make everyone accept the existence of the `TRNC' and its right to live, lift the obstacles against the `TRNC', render ineffective the sieges against it, and try to make the world accept that the `TRNC' also has rights," said Mr Baykal.

[05] RTP will launch an initiative before the EU organs claiming "the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, which are being wrongfully seized"

Mr Talat expresses, inter alia, the following views in his statement: "During the work of the UN Security Council, we are witnessing the last example of the impasse that the policy of Denktas and the hawks in Turkey led the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.

The Greek Cypriot side, which had been given the opportunity to become alone a member of the EU, has not been pleased by the possibility of the UN Secretary - General Kofi Annan's plan being turned into a UN Security Council decision. .While before the Hague the Greek Cypriot political party leaders were not saying very often that the Annan plan is a basis for a solution, after the Hague they began saying that the Annan plan is a basis for the solution. ..

Therefore, I consider as my duty to call on the members of the UN Security Council not to take any decision, which will be sabotaging the initiative of the UN and the UN Secretary - General's plan on the Cyprus problem.

Furthermore, with this opportunity I would like to remind Denktas and southern Cyprus the following:

With his policy, Denktas caused harm to the Turkish Cypriots, Turkey and the whole of Cyprus by preventing a solution on the basis of the Annan plan. .However, southern Cyprus will understand that it commits a mistake if it thinks that it could use the mistakes of Denktas to create one Cyprus under Greek domination and ignore the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, because the common interest of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities will be a result where the one community will not be superior to the other. .

Everybody should know that after 16 April, as a Turkish Cypriot community and based on our 1960 partnership founding rights, we shall fully use our rights in the EU against Denktas' reactionism and the domination understanding of the Greek Cypriots. We shall not be content with the minority rights proposed almost simultaneously by Denktas and the Greek Cypriot side.

I consider as my duty to inform everybody that we shall never accept the Turkish Cypriot community to be ignored and the Turkish language not to be included in the official languages of the EU, because it is one of Cyprus' official languages.

All the six seats for Cyprus in the European Parliament do not belong only to the Greek Cypriots. Two of them belong to the Turkish community. .According to our existence as politically equal in Cyprus, it is a precondition that these seats remain 'empty' until we get rid of Denktas and ensure peace.

We shall undertake a political initiative mainly before the EU organs and file charges in courts to protect these rights of the Turkish Cypriots, which some are trying to seize wrongfully. In this direction we shall firstly send a letter on Monday to the Council of the EU. Our legal preparation on the issue is continuing .".

[06] Akinci reiterates at the Harvard and Yale universities that the sovereignty in the occupied areas is in the hands of Denktas and Turkey

Talking recently at two universities of the United States of America, the universities of Harvard and Yale, Mr Akinci noted, inter alia, the following:

".Sovereignty in northern Cyprus is in the hands of Denktas and Turkey's civilian and military bureaucracy. This has been proved once more by the fact that the Turkish Cypriots were deprived of the rights to determine their own future in a referendum. .The conditions in northern Cyprus are not normal. However, a solution (to the Cyprus problem) would have brought normalization and the norms of the international law. The Turkish Cypriots should rule themselves. The Turkish Cypriot community does not want to be governed either from Turkey or from the Greek Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriots want to be the masters of their own homes.".

[07] Independent deputy Zeydan joins the Motherland Party

Zeydan said in his petition to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) that he would continue in politics under the roof of MP.

MP will organize a ceremony on Monday on the occasion of Zeydan's participation.

The number of political parties represented in the TGNA rose to four with Zeydan's participation in MP.

Below is the latest distribution of seats in the 550-seat Parliament:

Justice and Development Party (JDP): 365
Republican People's Party (RPP): 177
True Path Party (TPP): 3
Motherland Party (MP): 1
Independent: 4

[08] The new Turkish government strengthens its relations with Israel

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom arrived in Istanbul Sunday before travelling to Ankara for meetings with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recip Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry before Mr Shalom's arrival, during his meetings with senior Turkish officials the Israeli Minister will discuss the consequences of the war in Iraq and will reaffirm Israel's traditional position favouring maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity. The discussions are also expected to focus on a number of joint projects being undertaken by Turkey and Israel

"Mr Shalom will also discuss with Turkish officials several bilateral projects under way including the $887 million contract signed last year for the modernisation of Turkish tanks by Israeli Military Industries," the statement said.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Kamuran Inan: Turkey is experiencing the most widespread isolation of its history

Following is the full text of the interview:

Question: Are you with or against the comment that Turkey's relations with the U.S., the EU, Arab countries and even with the Turkic world is going through its worst period?

Answer: Unfortunately, it is correct. I am with this comment. Turkey is experiencing the biggest solitude of its history and it did it with its own hand. Unnecessary mistakes have been made. We are witnessing an extremely important period of history in the world. During such a period, a party that lacks state experience and good command of current affairs of the world came to power. That was the result of the will of the nation. This distinguished government didn't feel the necessity to take advise from the experts claiming that they know everything and unfortunately Turkey has reached this very disturbing point.

The government either didn't see or did not want to see that what has happened in Iraq was the reshaping of the Middle East if not the world; after the collapse of the Yalta order, the button for the new world order was pressed after the September 11 attacks against targets in the United States; and the first step was Afghanistan, the second target was Iraq and it would continue.

Moreover, the United States has built big confidence in Turkey for more than 50 years. This confidence was at its peak recently. The United States was considering Turkey among the most reliable countries. In this light, the U.S. wanted to give a say to Turkey in the reshaping of the world. We were absent in the Yalta Conference. If you fail to be a member of those who shape the world, you will be among those that will be shaped. Turkey could not get the message. The U.S. told Turkey that, "I have confidence in you. Have a say in the reshaping. Be on my side and you will have a say and have the right to prevent negative developments." But Turkey didn't understand it.

The government has caused a serious confidence crisis between Turkey and the United States. If Turkey had told the U.S. that, "My contribution will be limited with this or that," the U.S. would have respected Turkey's decision and would not force us to change our stance. In the first Gulf crisis, the U.S. had asked Turkey to open a front in the north. But when the government that was in power then, mentioned the difficulties and obstacles, the U.S. didn't push for it and there were no hard feelings between these two countries. This time, the government itself, sent its two ministers to the United States. They made too many pledges and the U.S. sent its troops via military ships to the Eastern Mediterranean in line with the idea that Turkey is ready to open all of its opportunities to its ally. Pioneer troops have been deployed in nine places for logistic support and maintenance. Turkey approved with a Parliamentary motion. But after that weeks-long motion crisis followed. Very detailed documents were prepared and even the legal status of U.S. soldiers that would be deployed in Turkey were discussed. But after these, Turkey returned to "point zero." However, keeping a super force like the U.S. waiting and urging it to change the route of its ships to the Basra Gulf were not easy for the U.S. to tolerate. It was useless. It caused a confidence crisis. The U.S. congress changed its attitude and turned its back. Before that a Turkish fellowship group was founded for the first time. The U.S. press said, "Most reliable ally played a bad game."

Question: But still we cannot say that the U.S. and Turkish relations have ended. The U.S. grant worth $1 billion is on the table and the U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited Turkey. Has the 50-years old friendship ended?

Answer: In international relations nothing ends that rapidly. It is certain that the U.S. administration is cautious. Powell during his Ankara visit, didn't use the word, "strategic partner," he only said, "Turkey is our ally." Ordinary and ally like other countries. It was also interesting that Turkey was not informed about the beginning of the war.

The Government didn't accept that the world is in a new formation process. In parallel to this process, the Cyprus issue is on the agenda. In 1995 when the prime minister of that time stated, "We are not against the entrance of Southern Cyprus to the European Union," in the name of signing the Customs Union agreement, a new process had began.

In the Helsinki Summit, the Cyprus issue was placed in the middle of Turkey and EU relations. Finally, they gave the impression that "if Turkey gives up in Cyprus, gate A will be opened. Kofi Annan's Cyprus document has nothing to do with his post as the U.N. Secretary-General. The document is the product of Greece and special envoy David Hanney. The goal is to use the EU path as a way to ENOSIS and give Cyprus to Greece. Some circles in Turkey didn't see this game. They claim to end the power of Rauf Denktas. Turkey, again, found itself in the middle of a chain of mistakes.

Question: Currently, it seems clear that even if Turkey gives up in Cyprus, it won't be accepted as a full member to the EU. The EU term president Danish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister's statements openly reveal the plan that Turkey should be forgotten.

Answer: They acted very honestly. You will remember, in a Christian party meeting in Belgium, it was openly stated that Turkey would not become a member. They said that Turkey with regard to its culture and religion couldn 't become a member of the European family. Former French President Giscard d' Esteng repeatedly said that Turkey is not a part of Europe and it cannot become a member of the EU. Germany's Kohl also reiterated that. But Ankara does not want to understand it.

During the Cold War era Turkey was important for Europe. After the end of the Cold War era, the family concept dominated the world. After the merger of Central Europe and Eastern Europe, the same culture and religion became the new condition. Turkey didn't want to accept this reality. Turkey should have argued that if it cannot become a full-member of the EU, why should it tolerate the harm of the Customs Union. Our damage due to the Customs Union has reached $70 billion.

Recently, there is a new fashion, the France-Germany pair, by establishing colder ties with the United States. The biggest reaction against the idea of possible Turkish troops deployment in northern Iraq came from Germany. Belgium threatened Turkey. On French televisions, possible Kurdish state establishment in northern Iraq and the situation in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia are the most popular issues. Turkey should not have made the mistake with the U.S. that has supported us for 50 years. It was a huge mistake to create a confidence crisis with the U.S. which has supported Turkey in various fields varying from the Truman doctrine to the capture of PKK [outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party] chieftain Abdullah Ocalan, they released $30 billions in credit during the economic crisis.

Question: Is it due to a lack of experience and information of the government or is it correct that there are "Islamic reflexes" behind the moves of the government?

Answer: I do not want to believe in these allegations. The U.S. press also mentioned this possibility. These are the expressions of giant disappointment. The main mistake of the government was its decision not to take the advise of experts while it was lacking experience and information. They turned a deaf ear to what had happened in 1991. It is not correct to carry out important things in a closed circuit. If Turkey fails to be a party of "new world" formations, it will face very serious problems such as the closure of Iraqi oil pipelines. Even, a Kurdish state can be established in northern Iraq. Armenia may find the courage to claim more from Turkey. We might come across some very disturbing developments.

Apart from all this, a person called Verheugen [the EU's enlargement chief Guenter Verheugen] recently started speaking in "Greek." This person says when Cyprus becomes part of EU soil, there will be no room for Turkish soldiers. We have to ask this person, "How many divisions of soldiers do you have Mr Verheugen?"

Question: On this point, what should the government do?

Answer: What they should not do is try not to make new mistakes rather than trying to fix the previous ones. They have to accept that the idea of, "I know everything, I can handle everyone," is no longer valid in this century and trust holds vital importance. All new governments make the same mistake of trying to solve the problem that previous governments could not solve and trying to give the impression that they are different from previous governments. Here is the Cyprus question, solve it if you can. Is it that easy? Issues of Turkey are not easy to solve.

You have to revise carefully, listen to all advise. The government does not do such things. Foreign policy is an above-party issue. The opposition does not have constructive influence in foreign policy. There are three former distinguished ambassadors in the opposition party but their voices are not heard. It is clear that they are forced to keep mute.

For example, there is conflict between those who are for and against the war. It is not the right perspective. It was claimed that if Turkey preferred to stay out of the war, the U.S. would not start it. But time revealed that it was not correct. They said that the U.S. wouldn't win in the absence of a northern front. They were wrong. There is a historical fact that everyone seems to forget. The U.S. is a country that has a good command of flight technology.

The majority of the ruling party's deputies lack enough state, world experience and information. The cost of the damage they have caused, will be paid by our people.

Question: War is claiming the end of old structures. Serious cracks emerged in the United Nations, NATO and the EU. Do you accept a change in the old political and military structures, too?

Answer: You are right. These are all the products of the Cold War era conditions. A brand new world emerged between the process that began with the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the terrorist attacks against the Twin Towers. Three main institutions from the Cold War Era are under depression. It is hard for the U.N. to answer current world realities. It needs serious revision. The second of them is NATO. In the aftermath of NATO and the U.S. conflict, it needs reconstruction. The third institution, the EU, founded by the Rome Treaty in March 1957, is split into two. The EU missed the chance of unity by including political and military elements. Sooner of later, the EU will transform into a "free trade area." Turkey, indeed had no plan in the regard of these realities. Turkey's possible "say" depends on the approval of the United States. The U.S. not even France, Germany or even Russia have a say in Iraq's development after the war. It even keeps the U.N. at a distance by saying, "if needed."

Turkey was trying to reduce its damages of war on the country. There is no room for emotions, ideologies and faith in international relations. There is no place for cunning. There is only one motivation; the national interest. Turkey should make its choices in line with the country's interests. Turkey is experiencing the biggest depression in the history of the Republic. We have no luxury of making more mistakes. Question: How long can this government go on after these mistakes? Due to a number of examples of incapability and inexperience, some circles have started mentioning a possible "government made up of technocrats." Is there such a need?

Answer: The government was elected by a great majority for five years according to the Constitution. But holding the majority in Parliament does not necessarily mean power. It is a pity for Turkey that we lack new real statesmen. We cannot raise new leaders. The power of the state will be reflected to the foreign world by statesmen. Turkey is in depression, the economy is in depression. A country that has $230 billion foreign and domestic debt, has no right to raise its voice. Even if you laugh, no one cares. I am sorry to say that we need very radical solutions and reforms. The government hasn't made a single move, yet. Ozal [late president and prime minister Turgut Ozal] had made reforms in three months that were enough for 10 years. Because he was prepared. But, these are trying to govern the country with simple proposals and solutions.

There is huge public disappointment. It elected the one which had not been tested before and it tries it. If the public is disappointed again, then this will harm democracy.

/SK

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