Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-05-15

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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 alleges that the basis for the solution of the Cyprus problem is the situation created after the limited freedom of movement.

[02] Mumtaz Soysal says that Denktas lifted partially the restrictions on free movement in Cyprus in order to bury the Annan plan.

[03] The Turkish Police stormed the offices of the Human Rights Association.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[04] Is Denktas changing?

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas alleges that the basis for the solution of the Cyprus problem is the situation created after the limited freedom of movement

Alleging that "the situation existing today is the basis for a settlement", Mr Denktas claimed that this picture consists of two different administrations on the island, mutual visits, shopping and good relations.

The Turkish Cypriot leader said also that the situation existing today is the first step of a result he had been dreaming for years.

"I am very optimistic and calm about the developments", noted Mr Denktas adding: "The person who turns back this situation, will prove to the whole world that he does not want peace and coming together in Cyprus".

Noting that the occupation regime decided to permit the limited freedom of movement aiming at preparing the ground for a solution, Mr Denktas reiterated his intransigent views regarding the existence of two states in Cyprus, solving the issues of properties by exchanging properties and compensations etc.

"We have opened the doors. The situation, which came up is the model of the future. The issue will be settled by adjusting the borders, exchanging properties and creating a common roof", said Mr Denktas and added: "We shall not abandon the sovereignty, the guarantees of Motherland Turkey and the equality. Today we are seeing 'a being together' situation, not 'a living together' situation. The Greek Cypriots' being settled in the north and getting hold of property here will be adjusted according to the laws of the `TRNC'. We do not want the Greek Cypriots to abandon their properties. They will be compensated for their properties".

Mr Denktas said that they did not expect that so many Greek Cypriots would be visiting the occupied areas and pointed out that the so-called security forces" of the puppet regime are ready to face any possible danger which will be created because of the limited freedom of movement.

Mr Denktas supported that everybody should protect "the positive situation" created today and added that in case of negative developments the doors will be closed again and the old situation will come back, if this is necessary.

Referring to the incident which occurred at occupied Ayia Irini village, the Turkish Cypriot leader said that the black list of the Greek Cypriots whom the puppet regime will not permit to cross over to the occupied areas is being prepared.

Expressing his satisfaction with the fact that he got rid of the Annan plan, Mr Denktas said: "Living together is something else and visiting each other, eating and drinking and having fun together is something else. .I felt very relieved when I got rid of the Annan plan. A great responsibility went off my shoulders. 100 thousands of our people would become refugees and 80 thousand Greek Cypriots would come among us. The equilibrium between Turkey and Greece ensured by the 1960 agreements would be damaged and with time Turkey's guarantees would be removed. I could not do this to Turkey and to my people".

[02] Mumtaz Soysal says that Denktas lifted partially the restrictions on free movement in Cyprus in order to bury the Annan plan

Referring to the Annan plan, Mumtaz Soysal said: "Regarding what we wanted in the plan, 1200 pages should have been changed. This couldn't happen. Then the people asked that the plan must be submitted to a referendum, but Denktas and Turkey said 'no'. In reality the Greek Cypriot side rejected it as well. In addition to that the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus, Mr Alvaro de Soto, wanted to put the blame on Denktas. Annan's plan is dead. Denktas said: 'Let the two countries meet without the presence of a third party'. The Greek Cypriot side didn't consent."

Soysal concluded by saying that Denktas has prepared a plan for talks composed of six articles, the first of which is the lifting of restrictions on movement in the island in order to satisfy the yarning of the Greek Cypriots to return to their homes.

[03] The Turkish Police stormed the offices of the Human Rights Association

On Tuesday, speaking at a European Parliament session, Verheugen said the EU is expecting the continuity of the democratic and human rights reforms in Turkey. Verheugen added the statements of the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek showed that the government is not approving this treatment.

The European Parliament is planning to vote a draft resolution on the issue today, prepared by political groups.

Police searched the IHD office for three hours and confiscated documents and hard-disks. The search was related to an investigation concerning IHD and accusations of "Helping terrorist organizations".

The draft defended that the treatment against IHD does not comply with Turkey's commitments regarding the Copenhagen criteria.

The draft wanted the EU Commission and Council to closely follow the developments in Turkey in democracy and human rights areas, and urged Turkey to make a statement on the search.

IHD Ankara branch office of the association was searched by police from the anti-terror section and Security police department accompanied by the SSC's Public Prosecutor.

According to IHD, police seized documents, booklets and personal computers from the IHD office.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[04] Is Denktas changing?

Ulsever asks: "Is Denktas changing?" and answers;

"No, hundred times no!

Recently Rauf Denktas is taking certain steps in order to create the impression that he is making sacrifices for conciliation.

In reality he is playing a game because he is totally cornered. By doing this he is either contradicting himself with what he said in the past or he is demanding the impossible.

Denktas, who says that he has opened the borders, with this action it seems that he has shelved his thesis that he was defending earlier; 'we do not want Greek Cypriots among us'. By accepting the Greek Cypriot Republic's passport as an identity card from those coming from the Greek Cypriot side, thus the earlier thesis that he used to say 'we do not recognize the Republic of Cyprus' has been written off by himself.

Against this, the Greek Cypriots, by only accepting those who carry Republic of Cyprus passport, not only they did not make any concessions to the `TRNC', they make those Turkish Republic citizens who are accepted by the Annan plan as the Cyprus citizens in the `TRNC' as 'illegal' settlers.

Lately, Denktas started speaking about establishing courts in the `TRNC' so that the Greek Cypriots who own property in the north could file law suits.

Why is he resorting to this?

The European Courts of Human Rights condemned Turkey in the Loizidou case to pay 650 thousand USD as compensation. And if this case serves as precedent, Turkey would be forced to pay to the Greek Cypriots compensation amounting between 30-40 billion US Dollars.

When I have written about this case in the past I have been branded as Greek Cypriot bastard. But now at the nick of time they realized and accepted what they did and they are trying by playing clever to save Turkey from paying this huge amount of compensation. But in vain!

Because, Denktas' proposal to establish courts in the `TRNC' is silly chatter that could not be put into practice.

· The Greek Cypriots do not need to file a law suit at the `TRNC' courts in order to recourse to the ECHR. Above everybody it is Denktas who knows well that the UN Security Council resolutions 541 and 550 not only prohibit the `TRNC's' recognition but declare that the recognition of the `TRNC' is a crime.

· As a result of this the ECHR, in line with the UN resolutions, considered Turkey as an occupying force in Cyprus and accordingly gave its verdict against Turkey. With the same token it refused our objection.

· Furthermore the Greek Cypriot properties in the north have been expropriated according to the Article 159 of the `TRNC' Constitution under the Housing, Land Allocation and Equal Property Law (1977-1991) and were sold to the Turks on the basis of the equivalent point arrangement .

· The ECHR gave its verdict regarding the Loizidou case on 28 July 1998.Now

I ask Denktas: Why did you not stop title deed formalities regarding the Greek Cypriot property? And since that day you made Turkey to pay 8% interest on the compensation that Turkey would pay?

The saying of the day is: This decision of the `TRNC' does not give to the Greek Cypriots the right to open law suits against Denktas' property in the Snake Island to be returned to the Greek Cypriots."

/SK

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