Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-06-11

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas: The Annan Plan is not on the table.

[02] Erdogan met with Eroglu.

[03] A new Party, the "Cyprus Justice Party" was established in the occupied areas.

[04] Interview by Mr Adrian van der Meer to CUMHURIYET newspaper.

[05] Doba Investment Ltd will invest forty million USD to clean CMC installations in Karavosstasi area.

[06] Talat states that the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots along with the Turkish settlers should form a new Cyprus culture.

[07] Turkish Cypriot papers criticize Denktas.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas: The Annan Plan is not on the table

In a statement during the meeting Mr Denktas said:

"Cyprus cannot join the EU outrightly. Turkey derives its greatest jurisdiction and right from the enshrinement of the Turkish-Greek balance in the 1960 agreements, and from the extension of the Lausanne Treaty over Cyprus. And that [1960] agreement says that Cyprus cannot join any organization in which Turkey and Greece are not members. Turkey is not in the EU yet. It still needs 10-15 years to join it, if they ever let it in, that is. So, if we shut our eyes and approve with our signature the violation of this right by the Greek Cypriots then Turkey will have no say on Cyprus anymore. That will be the end of this affair. That indeed is the entire goal of the plot. That is why they are in a hurry. Otherwise, they would not have raised Cyprus as a hurdle before Turkey. It was not Turkey that created the Cyprus problem for them to ask Turkey to solve it before joining the EU. It was the Greek Cypriots and Greece that created the Cyprus problem. Yet, they are not asking them to join the EU after solving the Cyprus problem. Instead, they have shut their eyes and want to hurriedly admit a conflict-ridden island, which has been divided for the last 40 years and where the UN stands sentry between the sides. And because they know that Turkey will not acquiesce to such an arrangement, they are raising the Cyprus problem as a hurdle before Turkey. We do not even question if Turkey will consent to this or not, for we know it will not consent. At every occasion, Turkey stresses that its right exists and Cyprus cannot join the EU without Turkey.

There is a group here that acts in cahoots with the EU, receives aid from them, and considers the words of the EU representatives as heavenly orders to be obeyed. They are doing all they could to deceive our people. And we, the great majority standing up against them, are saying: We will not join the EU without Turkey, we want peace and reconciliation but not by disowning our statehood, sovereignty, and our beloved Turkey. I am just arming you up with this information so that when you hear these mendacities you know the motives behind them.

Our condition here will improve. There are new protocols and agreements with Turkey. Everything will be done to improve the economy within the framework of those agreements. Under one plan, this place will be declared a free-trade zone. Once it is done obstacles before us will vanish, whether or not we join the EU. Rather, by not joining the EU we will secure even bigger gains. These are things on which the economists are now working. I understand that you too are closely monitoring these developments. Just wait and see. If you notice or feel anything, write to us without hesitation or just jump into a plane and come here. It is a mere one-hour travel. As regards the sea transportation, fast-going boats are being commissioned to ply between Antalya and here. That too will facilitate our job. Now that we opened the doors, the Greek Cypriots are coming over and seeing the place. For the last 30 years they have been deceived by the fairy-tale to the effect that the Turkish side has collapsed, its economy has hit rock bottom, if we wait a bit more the Turkish Cypriots will fully surrender, they are living like slaves under the Turkish bayonet, they are living in shanties, do not be worried all the refugees will return and reclaim their lands and property.

And why no agreement has been possible so far? Because we were not in an equal situation. The world raised the Greek Cypriots to the level of legitimate government. So, the Greek Cypriot leaders see us beneath them. That is how they portray us to their people. That is why the Greek Cypriots did not turn to their leadership and chastise them for not finding a settlement. They were deceived with the argument that if they wait a bit more the Turks will surrender and the Greek Cypriots would spread over and regain control of the island. But now that they came and saw they were dumbstruck. There are honest, serious, and friendly people among them, they congratulated us saying they did not expect to see these excellent accomplishments. To those Greek Cypriots who go and see their homes, of course some of them not all of them, and tell our people when are they moving out so that they can move in, our people reply: No, we have title deeds in our hands issued by our government and state, if you want compensation go and talk with your leaders and ask them to discuss with our state officials how to compensate you, you should know that this place now belongs to us. That jolts the Greek Cypriots out of their torpor.

When reminded by the reporters about Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement at the joint news conference with the Luxembourg Premier to the effect that they are not inclined to disregard the Annan plan, Mr Denktas said: "The Annan plan exists but it is not on the table." Pointing out that for the Annan plan to return to the table they have to undertake the needed operation with the Greek Cypriots, Denktas said that the Turks and the Greek Cypriots are, however, talking about different operations, adding that if a correct diagnosis still does not engender the awareness that the Annan plan would fast relegate the Turkish Cypriots to a minority status and detach them from Turkey then the pressures will increase for the discussion of the Annan plan."

[02] Erdogan met with Eroglu

The Turkish Prime Ministry Press Center issued a statement noting that Erdogan had a meeting with Eroglu, who was currently in Turkey for a conference, and the two men took up the current situation in the Cyprus issue and initiatives which the pseudostate has taken recently.

It was stressed in the meeting that Turkey would continue to support the Turkish Cypriots in every field. The importance of protecting national unity in the Cyprus issue was also underlined in the meeting.

[03] A new Party, the "Cyprus Justice Party" was established in the occupied areas

The party, under the name "Cyprus Justice Party" was established by the retired colonel of the Turkish Army, Mr Oguz Kalelioglu on 5 June 2003 and it plans to organize in all the regions of the occupied areas.

In statements he made, Mr Kalelioglu said that his party was established in order to contest the forthcoming so-called parliamentary elections of next December. Its aim is to materialize the objectives of the Turkish Cypriots and foil the dangers posed for the "TRNC" by foreign forces. He also said that it must not be forgotten that for years they fought shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish Cypriot fighters and that Cyprus is territory of the motherland.

Commenting on the establishment of the new party the leader of the Republican Turkish Party, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, said:

"Everybody can establish a party in the `TRNC'. The fact that a person who has no other relations with Cyprus other than going and coming, established a party, shows the strange situation existing in the `TRNC'. They are establishing this party definitely in order to guide us. Good Luck".

According to the paper, Mr Kalelioglu was a battalion commander at Famagusta before 1974 and held this position during the Turkish invasion of 1974. He visits Cyprus continuously since a long time. For a period he was adviser to the Head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Department and was active in many civilian organizations in Turkey. His bust is among the persons depicted in occupied Famagusta's "Victory Monument".

[04] Interview by Mr Adrian van der Meer to CUMHURIYET newspaper

"The EU Ambassador in Cyprus, Adrian van der Meer, said that there is no alternative to the Annan plan for a lasting solution in Cyprus. Arguing that the Annan plan is "the best plan" for the Turkish Cypriots, the Ambassador said: "The Annan plan is clearly based on the principle of the equality of the two sides. We support the proposal of a united Cyprus comprised of two equal component states. Two separate states on the island would be contrary to international law."

Ambassador Adrian van der Meer, the representative of the EU Commission in Cyprus, spoke to CUMHURIYET in his first interview with the Turkish press. Noting that the freeing of travel between the two sides in Cyprus has created a new "momentum" in the solution process, Van Der Meer said: "Still, all these positive developments cannot replace a permanent solution. Our real goal must be to find a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem by 1 May 2004. We want a reunited Cyprus to join the EU." Noting that the EU might develop the package it has prepared for Turkish Cypriots after a solution is achieved, Van der Meer disclosed for the first time the beginning of work to permit trade with trucks through crossing points in Cyprus.

Below are the questions we posed and Van Der Meer's answers.

Question: It seems that a new climate has developed on the island following the freeing of travel between the two sides. What is your reaction to that?

Answer: We were very pleased. Very positive and important developments are occurring on the island. With the freeing of travel a brand new momentum has been seized between the two communities in Cyprus' EU process. People who traveled to regions where they were born and raised and who became reacquainted with old friends were greeted very warmly. In our view the myth that the two communities cannot live together is becoming totally obliterated. Still all these positive developments cannot replace a permanent solution. Our real goal must be to find a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem by 1 May 2004. We want a reunited Cyprus to join the EU.

Question: However the EU has already signed an accession treaty with south Cyprus. How can there be a solution after this point? What is the EU's vision on a solution?

Answer: The Annan plan is still on the table. The accession treaty allows the membership of a united Cyprus. Consequently we believe that negotiations on the Annan plan must begin without delay within the framework of existing parameters. The Annan plan is the best plan that has been offered to the Turkish Cypriots thus far. It gives the Turkish Cypriots their own "component state." It even allows them to sign international treaties in certain areas.

The Annan plan is clearly based on the equality of the two sides. The plan envisages a united Cyprus comprised of two component states. We support that. What we oppose is the existence of two separate states. That would be contrary to UN resolutions and international law. We want Cyprus to enter the EU as a single state after its reunification is achieved.

Question: There have been criticisms that the recent economic package the EU Commission has announced for Turkish Cypriots does not pay attention to this equality. The Turkish Cypriot side will be able to use only Greek Cypriot ports for trade. What do you think about these criticisms?

Answer: First of all we have to operate on the basis of realities. We have to work with the legal framework we are in. In the current framework the northern part of Cyprus is not recognized by the international community with the exception of Turkey. We have to act in accordance with the realities of international law, the UN resolutions, and the EU acquis. Ports and airports in the north do not have international recognition.

That being the case the only way to develop trade is to conduct it through the closest ports that have international recognition. Those ports are Limassol and Larnaca. Secondly, from a practical standpoint, these ports are much better equipped for exports. However we can overcome the problems we have now if there is a solution.

Question: Is there any possibility that the EU package may be modified in view of criticisms from the Turkish Cypriot side?

Answer: We have received positive comments from all EU members with regard to the package. Soon Mr Gunter Verheugen will pay a visit [to Cyprus]. This will be one of the most important issues [to be discussed]. We continue to work on drafts for such decisions which will be finalized at the EU-Cyprus Partnership Council. As a very new step we are currently working on a proposal to allow trade between the two side via trucks traveling through crossing points."

[05] Doba Investment Ltd will invest forty million USD to clean CMC installations in Karavosstasi area

The paper reports that the said company will spend forty million USD to clean and to develop the area in ten years time.

KIBRIS reports that DOBA has leased the place for fortynine years from the Denktas regime by the so-called "council of ministers "decision.

The manager of the said company Metin Yalcin briefed the paper's correspondent on his company's projects regarding the area .He said that first they will clean the area from pollution and then develop it.

Metin Yalcin has said that once the area is cleared from the waste left by the CMC, then they will build factories, recreational centers, a free-trade zone and a sea port. Yalcin claimed that the company came to an agreement with the occupation regime that it will not allow companies that might create nuclear, biological and chemical pollution in the area. According to Yalcin, the whole project will take ten years to complete and then economic activities will start in the area.

He said that eighty percent of the workforce in the complex will be "TRNC citizens".

[06] Talat states that the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots along with the Turkish settlers should form a new Cyprus culture

He said that as RTP they support the Turkish Cypriots as well as the Greek Cypriots developing of their identity through their folklore which is part of their identity thus opening to the world.

Talat also criticized Denktas for his statement that: "There is no Turkish Cypriot folklore.. Nor a Cypriot (identity) and that the Turkish Cypriots are Turks living in Cyprus".

[07] Turkish Cypriot papers criticize Denktas

Under the banner headlines "Is Erdogan also a traitor?" KIBRISLI writes that Denktas' policy of the non-solution is one more time contrary to the policy of the Turkish Government regarding the Cyprus issue. The paper continues: "Denktas is contrary to Ankara on the national political issue. The peaceful forces do not think different from Erdogan on the Annan plan.. So, why does Denktas not declare him also a 'traitor'?"

YENIDUZEN, under the banner headlines "Who is the fly?" reports that the Turkish Cypriots will give the necessary reply to those who described them as a fly. The paper writes, "Denktas, who doesn't believe in the fight that the Turkish Cypriots have been waging for the last six months for a solution, peace and the EU, has made clear his behaviour. He doesn't want peace. The words 'solution' and the 'EU' make him want to vomit. His behaviour on the latest EU financial aid is a clear indicator. He is in rage; because the EU is determined to do its duty putting aside Denktas. As it is known at the rallies that were held supporting the Annan plan, Denktas got angry and described the Turkish Cypriots 'flies'."

Under the title: "It's enough!" ORTAM reports under the above banner headlines that Denktas has the monopoly of the right of criticizing and swearing. Not even a day goes by without Denktas threatening with insults the opposition and without making speeches about the forthcoming elections in December. According to the paper, for Denktas the tens of thousands of Turkish Cypriots who gathered in the squares were just "flies making the buzzing sounds".

/SK

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