Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-08-08

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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 Cypriot leader alleges that 4-5 Greek Cypriots applied to him for compensation.

[02] The signing of the customs union between Turkey and the pseudostate has been postponed.

[03] The delegation from Turkey headed by Mr Abdullatif Sener arrives in the occupied areas; Serdar Denktas rejects that the signing of the customs union agreements is postponed.

[04] AVRASYA TV and AVRASYA radio FM begin broadcasting on 11 August.

[05] AFRIKA expects increase in the number of Turkish Cypriots who apply for Turkish passports.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader alleges that 4-5 Greek Cypriots applied to him for compensation

In a statement at the meeting, Mr Rauf Denktas said that he has received applications from a number of Greek Cypriots requesting compensation for their properties in the occupied areas, and that he will convey these applications to the relevant department.

Denktas also commented on the so-called elections to be held in December.

His statement is as follows: "A lady called Madam Fogg, representing the EU in Ankara, did everything to blatantly divide our people here between the collaborators and opponents of the EU. She paid enormous sums to certain journalists and invited many people to seminars in various locations in Europe and put them in contact with the Greek Cypriots. She directly instructed them to write anything they could to erode Denktas' prestige, as he is the only person maintaining a sound link between you [the Turkish Cypriots] and Turkey, and to pave the way for EU membership together with the Greek Cypriots but without Turkey. Already, books have been written on this subject. And as an edifice of her efforts, some of the opposition among us have been hatching an immensely calamitous plot. We have been cleaved between those who accept or reject the Annan plan, which has been prepared with the sole objective of ensuring Cyprus' EU membership without Turkey, and of severing the links between Turkey and Cyprus in this manner.

We are saying that Cyprus cannot join the EU. The 1960 agreement stipulates that Cyprus cannot join any organization in which Turkey is not a member. That agreement has established a Turkish-Greek balance in Cyprus, it has extended the Turkish-Greek balance established under the Lausanne Treaty over Cyprus to preclude blockade of Turkey by a chain of Greek islands, to allow an outlet for Turkey.

In total disregard of this provision and agreement, a tremendous activity is afoot both here and Turkey to deceive our people with the claim that the Annan plan gives us everything we want, it gives us sovereignty, recognizes our state as well as Turkey's guarantorship and many other things. Had this plan really recognized our statehood and sovereignty, desisted from introducing 80,000 Greek Cypriots among us and turning 100,000 of our people into refugees with uncertain future, why shouldn't we have accept it? The sole remaining reason for rejection it would have been the fact that Turkey is not yet an EU member. We would have then said merely that by accepting the plan our link with Turkey would be severed and for that reason we are going to wait for Turkey. Already before that [the Annan plan] we had advanced many initiatives. We told the EU that if it assures Turkey, even before its accession, that it would have as much right over Cyprus as Greece, or Greece would not enjoy more rights than Turkey, then we will think about it [joining the EU before Turkey's accession]. But you cannot remove the tangible bridge between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots with this agreement [the Annan plan]. You cannot do it with our signature. This is the core of our struggle. They [the opposition] write articles alleging that Denktas goes around declaring that he does not want the EU as he sees it as a calamity. A retired diplomat called Ilter Turkmen, a person whom we too love and respect, constantly tries, in his capacity as the co-chairman of the Turkish-Greek Friendship Society, to push our people towards the EU. But we cannot join the EU without Turkey, and if we do all the links will be severed, Turkey will never again be able to come here to save us, and Cyprus would turn into another Crete."

Pointing out that the general "elections" are approaching in the occupied areas, Mr Denktas said that the opposition has convinced the world, the United States, and Europe that they would win the "elections", and that they would join the EU without Turkey by accepting the Annan plan.

Indicating that the Greek Cypriots and foreigners are waiting for the election results and that moral and financial support is provided, and will continue to be provided [to the opposition by the outsiders], to ensure the realization of the opposition's objectives, Denktas said: "The people, however, are steadfast. Despite the movement to ensure victory for the opposition, the people is made of sound stuff, and you will see that our opponents will not be able to garner more than 25 or 30 percent of the votes. Those who want to walk in tandem with the motherland and those who stand up for their state are in the majority and will win these elections, even though divided among themselves."

Noting that the purpose of opening the "doors" between the occupied and the free areas of Cyprus was to ensure the observation of the realities, Denktas said: "Indeed, the Greek Cypriots saw a state and government in the north as well-off as theirs. We opened the doors so that they could see a robust state standing on its own feet in the north, so that equality could thus be established, with that equality forming in turn the foundation of peace. The opening of the doors has proven to be very good and will be better still in its result".

Also alleging that yesterday he received applications from four or five Greek Cypriots for the resolution of the problem [of property] through compensations, Mr Denktas said he would convey these applications to the newly established relevant department.

[02] The signing of the customs union between Turkey and the pseudostate has been postponed

According to the paper, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister, Mr Abdullatif Sener, said yesterday at a press conference that the agreement was ready but they would wait for the "appropriate time" to sign it.

Noting that Turkey has made a step backwards, the paper writes that Mr Sener said that the signing of the agreement had been postponed so that the technical committees are given time to finish their work on some issues. "The agreement is ready, but we shall wait for the appropriate time to sign it", noted Mr Sener adding that during the meeting of the 6th Partnership Council between Turkey and the pseudostate, which is expected to take place today in occupied Kyrenia, they would discuss ways of strengthening their economic relations existing for a long time.

Mr Sener noted the following: "In this context, the technical committees have worked within the framework of the customs union between the two 'countries'. They tried to prepare a text of a certain agreement. What they are trying to prepare is a draft text consisting of 30 paragraphs. However, it is necessary that they continue to work on some details".

Responding to a question, Mr Sener alleged that the customs union with the pseudostate would not cause any problems and was not contrary to Turkey's customs union agreement with the EU. Mr Sener pointed out that similar agreements have been signed before and claimed that the EU signed some agreements with third parties, which influenced Turkey negatively.

Mr Sener added: "Cyprus is a national cause for us. Strengthening the economy of the 'TRNC' and increasing the standard of living of the Turkish community is very important for Turkey. We are cooperating for this purpose and we are signing agreements".

Meanwhile, under the banner front-page title "The customs union became a riddle!" Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (08.08.03) reports that a "high ranking official" of the pseudostate told the paper that the customs union between Turkey and the pseudostate would be signed today but its application would begin next month. "Despite Abdulatif Sener's last minute statement, the technical committees have continued their work until the early morning hours, as if the signature will take place", writes the paper.

Under the banner front-page title "Postponement!", Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (08.08.03) reports that the effort of the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas to bring Turkey face to face with the EU, has failed. The paper supports that Mr Denktas used the customs union agreement in his propaganda campaign against the EU and the solution in Cyprus. "It was announced that the government of Turkey has made a step backwards (translator's note: on the issue of the customs union with the pseudostate) after pressure exerted by the EU", argues YENI DUZEN.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper describes the signing of the customs union between Turkey and the pseudostate as "a political show" and notes that it will not be applied even if it is signed, just like some other similar agreements between Turkey and the regime in occupied Cyprus.

[03] The delegation from Turkey headed by Mr Abdullatif Sener arrives in the occupied areas; Serdar Denktas rejects that the signing of the customs union agreements is postponed

In his statements at the illegal Lefkoniko airport, Mr Sener said that their basic aim was to strengthen the economic and financial relations between Turkey and the pseudostate and reminded that this was the aim of the establishment of the "Partnership Council" in August 1997. Noting that this "Council" met for the first time in 1998 said that today its sixth meeting would be taking place.

Mr Sener said that some technical work and preparation is necessary for the realization of these meetings and therefore the technical committees of Turkey and the pseudostate were working since the beginning of this week in this direction.

"We shall examine the results of this technical work", said Mr Sener adding that they would also put forward their political will on the issue. As a result of this, he added, they will take their decisions within the framework of their "searching in the direction of the creation of a common economic zone between Turkey and the pseudostate".

"As you know, in the common statement of the Presidents of Turkey and the TRNC in 1998 a reference was made to the creation of a common economic zone" , said Mr Sener reminding that until today various agreements and protocols have been signed between his country and the pseudostate. He reiterated that the customs union agreement between Turkey and the pseudostate will be discussed at the meeting today and that the technical committees are continuing their work on this issue.

"I want to draw attention to the following: Both in Turkey and in the TRNC there is the political will for the realization of the customs union", said Mr Sener and added that they will reach a decision taking into consideration the technical work. "Therefore any speculations about this is not appropriate", he concluded.

Meanwhile, the so-called deputy prime minister and minister of tourism of the pseudostate, Mr Serdar Denktas noted that within the framework of the customs union some agricultural products should be especially protected and added that the work of the technical committees would be completed within seven or ten days. Mr Denktas argued that Turkey did not make a step backwards on the issue, as it was reported in the press today.

Illegal Bayrak broadcast that the "Partnership Council" has been established with the aim of achieving "economic and financial union and partial union in security, defense and foreign policy" between Turkey and the pseudostate.

[04] AVRASYA TV and AVRASYA radio FM begin broadcasting on 11 August

The paper writes that the same trade union in September or October 2003 will start building a five-star hotel in occupied Kyrenia, which will have the capacity of 400 beds. The hotel is estimated to cost about 15 million US dollars and is expected to provide jobs to 400 persons.

[05] AFRIKA expects increase in the number of Turkish Cypriots who apply for Turkish passports

The paper notes that the Turkish Cypriots "are condemned to" taking Turkish passports and adds that the decision of the Turkish ministry shocked the Turkish Cypriots.

Meanwhile, Patriotic Unity Movement (PUM) issued a statement calling on all the Turkish Cypriots, who were prevented to travel via Turkey, to apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) demanding for their right to move freely. PUM expresses the opinion that in Turkey's decision there is discrimination between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, because the latter are allowed to travel via Turkey using the passports of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Turkish Cypriots are hostages in the hands of Turkey, notes PUM.

/SK

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