Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-07-25

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Powell: ^ÓAnnan Plan is on the negotiation table^Ô.

[02] Two months after President Papadopoulos proposed clearing of the buffer zone from the landmines, Denktas sent a letter to the UN proposing clearing landmines around Nicosia; Turkish Cypriot newspaper describes Denktas^Ò proposal as ^Óa comedy^Ô.

[03] Talat stated that the confidence-building measures cannot replace a solution.

[04] Denktas is in Turkey on Lausanne Treaty anniversary.

[05] Interview of the Italian ambassador to Cyprus with KIBRIS.

[06] The chairman of the Turkish settlers says that after 23 April they realized that the properties they are occupying belong to the Greek Cypriots.

[07] The former Dean of the ^ÓEast Mediterranean University^Ô accused the pseudostate of interference in his work.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Powell: ^ÓAnnan Plan is on the negotiation table^Ô

After the meeting they held a joint press conference during which they answered questions put to them by the journalists. Regarding Cyprus, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said: ^ÓThe opportunity created in Cyprus should not be missed. The proposal package put forward by the UN Secretary ^ÖGeneral is on the table^Ô

[02] Two months after President Papadopoulos proposed clearing of the buffer zone from the landmines, Denktas sent a letter to the UN proposing clearing landmines around Nicosia; Turkish Cypriot newspaper describes Denktas^Ò proposal as ^Óa comedy^Ô

Commenting on the issue Turkish Cypriot daily YENIDUZEN newspaper (25.07.03), on its front page and under the banner headlines ^ÓComedy!^Ô, reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas has forgotten that two months ago President Papadopoulos had proposed clearing land-mines in the buffer zone.

[03] Talat stated that the confidence-building measures cannot replace a solution

Mr Talat stated that the Cyprus problem is going through a critical phase and said that confidence-building measures cannot replace a solution in the island. On its part the German Ambassador, said that the European Union member countries believed that confidence-building measures in Cyprus were no substitute to a solution. During the meeting the latest developments on the Cyprus problem as well as the forthcoming so-called ^Óelections^Ô in the pseudostate were taken up.

Moreover Mr Talat pointed out to the importance of finding a settlement on the island on the basis of the Annan Plan and added that the status quo was preventing a solution on the island. He also said that the Cyprus problem couldn^Òt be solved by filing property compensation cases at the so called courts of the pseudostate.

[04] Denktas is in Turkey on Lausanne Treaty anniversary

Addressing the ceremony held at the Istanbul University last night to mark the 80th Anniversary of signing of the Lausanne Treaty, Mr Denktas said that Lausanne Treaty set up the balance between Turkey and Greece. ^ÓCyprus was out of that balance. Both Greece and Turkey accepted leaving the island to Britain,^Ô he noted.

Moreover, Anatolia News Agency (24/07/03) reports that Denktas, in his speech, claimed that when Greece tried to take Cyprus, Turkey said ^Ñstop^Ò and later 1960 treaties were concluded.

^Ó1960 Treaty is an agreement which brought the balance established in Lausanne to Cyprus and it is as important as Lausanne Treaty,^Ô said Denktas and accused the Greek Cypriots of lifting the balance on the island.

[05] Interview of the Italian ambassador to Cyprus with KIBRIS

Mr La Francesca said, inter alia, that a lot of time has been wasted in Cyprus and added that a solution to the Cyprus problem must be reached without further delay. Mr La Francesca noted that the negotiations towards this end should begin as quickly as possible. ^ÓIf the talks begin in September, as it is being said, we shall be pleased^Ô, said the ambassador of the country, which is currently holding the term presidency of the EU.

Mr La Francesca expressed the opinion that a solution in Cyprus will be for the benefit of all Cypriots and after a settlement is reached ^Ópolitical, social and cultural energy will be created in the country^Ô. At the same time, he added, the solution will positively affect the relations of Turkey with the EU.

Despite the fact that everybody will benefit from the solution, said Mr La Francesca, we know that there will be a price for this. The Italian ambassador pointed out that people in both sides had some fears and reservations on this issue, something, which is ^Ónormal^Ô.

Mr Lafrancesca added: ^ÓIf I were in your shoes, I would understand that the solution is something positive, but at the same time I would be a little bit afraid because this is something like throwing yourself into an abyss. However, I am sure that the positive things will be more than the problems and the difficulties. ^ÅThe Cyprus problem is very important for Italy. Our country has good relations with all the countries who have a role to play in the Cyprus problem. Italy is a Mediterranean country. We feel that geographically and culturally we are close to Cyprus. Be sure that great importance will be given to Cyprus during the six months of the Italian presidency. This is something necessary. We shall assist in every way that we can in order a solution is reached^Å^Ô.

[06] The chairman of the Turkish settlers says that after 23 April they realized that the properties they are occupying belong to the Greek Cypriots

Mr Cevikel, who met with Mr Mehmet Ali Talat the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) and Mr Ertugrul Hasipoglu leader of the Renewal Progressive Party (RPP), said that after 23 April they realized that the occupation regime was lying to the Turkish settlers when telling them to look after of the (Greek Cypriot) houses and the gardens they had been given.

Mr Cevikel added: ^ÓAfter the Greek Cypriots began to come we saw that the title deeds are in their hands. Justice is valid in this situation. The title deeds of the Greeks are the valid ones^Ô.

Mr Cevikel said that the settlers are waiting for a solution to be reached and thus their problems to be solved. He noted that they are closely following the situation after the Annan Plan has been submitted and accused the parties, which they had been supporting for 29 years, of ignoring the settlers during the procedure of reaching a solution. He said that for 29 years the settlers could not look after the houses and the gardens they had been given as if they were their own and noted that they were hoping that this situation would be changed after a solution on the basis of the Annan Plan.

Mr Cevikel claimed that the number of the illegal settlers from Turkey in the occupied areas does not exceed the 55-60 thousands, but admitted that ^Óthousands of people who do not live^Ô in the occupied areas have been granted the ^Ócitizenship^Ô of the occupation regime after a decision of the so-called ^Óministerial council^Ô. Mr Cevikel accused the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas of not wanting a solution and of supporting the continuation of the status quo.

In his statements, Mr Talat criticized the behaviour of the occupation regime against Mr Cevikel who had been removed from his post at the illegal ^ÓEast Mediterranean University^Ô because ^Óhe had expressed his opinion^Ô. ^ÓThis behaviour is shameful and contrary to the human rights and democracy^Ô, added Mr Talat and concluded: ^ÓWe shall defend until the end the human rights of each person, who lives in northern Cyprus. We shall defend their rights to living freely and their equal political rights^Ô.

In his statements Mr Hasipoglu said that what he hated the most is the discrimination between a Cypriot and a Turk and argued that there was no Cypriot nation. There are Turks who settled here from Anatolia 300 years ago and Turks who came 29 years ago, he supported.

Mr Hasipoglu claimed that ^Óthe two people in Cyprus^Ô had to accept that they would have to live side by side and that living together would be dangerous both for them and their motherlands.

[07] The former Dean of the ^ÓEast Mediterranean University^Ô accused the pseudostate of interference in his work

/SK

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