Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-09-25

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas attacks Lord David Hanney

[02] Members of Turkey's Lions Clubs ask "citizenship" from Denktas.

[03] Turkish Cypriot Press discloses two more lists with Turks to whom the "citizenship" was granted.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[04] Mehmet Ali Birand : "Cyprus biggest obstacle on EU path".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas attacks Lord David Hanney

In statements during one of his meetings yesterday, Mr Denktas described Lord Hanney as "a British governor who regards Cypriots as inferior to him". "His accusations are an honour for me", added Mr Denktas and continued accusing Lord Hanney:

"He is a diplomat who tried to handle the Cyprus cause according to the British interests, accepted everything the Greek Cypriots wanted in order not to touch the British bases and taking de Soto under his shadow he tried to impose a plan working together with the Greek Cypriots. He is a person, who behaved as a former British governor who regards Cypriots as inferiors to him and never took into consideration justice and the rights and fears of the Turkish Cypriots. He continues blaming us because we have not fallen in his trap. His accusations are an honour for me. .".

[02] Members of Turkey's Lions Clubs ask "citizenship" from Denktas

The members of the Lions Club expressed their support to Mr Denktas' policy on the Cyprus problem and added: "Before we leave we shall apply for citizenship in order to be able to be closer to you and be together with you.".

Mr Denktas replied: "We are all becoming Turkish citizens. No difference will remain (between us). As a matter of fact there is not but there are some people saying there is".

[03] Turkish Cypriot Press discloses two more lists with Turks to whom the "citizenship" was granted

Meanwhile, YENI DUZEN (25.09.03) publishes the list of the 299 persons who had secretly been granted the "citizenship" of the pseudostate. The information regarding the existence of the list was published yesterday in the same paper. (See Turkish Mass Media Bulletin No.:181/03, item 7).

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[04] Mehmet Ali Birand : "Cyprus biggest obstacle on EU path"

"In the European capitals discussions on giving Turkey a date for the start of accession talks are gradually gaining momentum. Also, there is a growing conviction on their part that they have no choice other than giving Turkey a date for the start of the talks.

Those countries that want to keep Turkey in waiting for some time -- and dissuade it from seeking full membership if possible -- hope that the harmonization with the European Union laws will not be implemented. They also hope that no solution will be found to the Cyprus problem.

If no solution is found in Cyprus by December 2004, especially if Denktas goes on making the kind of speeches he is making these days, there will be a big increase in the number of countries who would veto a decision to start the accession talks with Turkey.

Members of the Turkish-Greek forum who have met in Ankara over the past two days have given crystal-clear signals to this effect.

The part that surprised me most was the explanation that "A solution in Cyprus is not important. The EU will give Turkey a date even in the absence of a Cyprus solution," messages coming from various European countries and organizations, especially from the EU Commission, were highly deceptive.

Officials who have been taking the EU's pulse are saying, "If Turkey wants to trap itself Turkey will believe these messages. The reality is exactly the opposite." These officials point out that those who are saying "NO TO TURKEY", have intensified their activities.

Their argument is quite logical and it sounds convincing to me.

The first "front" Turkey will be faced with, consists of those EU countries that want to keep Turkey out without hurting Turkey's feelings.

Though the Cyprus issue is not one of the Copenhagen criteria these countries see Cyprus as the most important one of the major factors that could affect Turkey's chances of joining the EU. They point out that the EU cannot have accession talks with a country that controls (occupies is the word they use) half the territory of a member country (Cyprus). They just do not care about Cyprus' past, about the Greeks' and Greek Cypriots' responsibilities,

For them too, YESTERDAY WAS YESTERDAY AND TODAY IS TODAY.

They point out that one of these two scenarios must be acted out for Turkey to be able to get a date for the start of the talks:

1. In Cyprus the parties concerned reach a solution.

2. By May 2004 the parties concerned seriously initiate a negotiations process in the framework of the Annan Plan. That would have to be a process maintained without "playing to the grandstands", a process that the international community would find convincing. What would happen if neither of these happen?

One source says, "It would be impossible for Turkey to have talks with a country (Cyprus) it does not recognize officially -- let alone signing an agreement with it." The source in question states with emphasis that initially the EU will be the one to raise the problem. If the EU members become divided on this issue and the idea that "Turkey must be given a date despite everything," gains ground, then Greece and Greek Cypriots will join the loop.

From now on, in the name of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots will be in an extremely strong position. If no solution can be found by May 2004 they will be representing Cyprus on their own in the EU. Furthermore, they will be holding the VETO card.

Even if no one else objected to the EU giving Turkey a date for the start of the talks, the Greek Cypriot representative would still be able to veto it, raising his hand and saying, "I won't sit for talks with any country that occupies my territory unless it changes it's approach. This is a vitally important issue for us." And no one would be able to raise their voices against that.

Naturally, there is another factor: Greece.

It is no secret that no Greek government can flash the green light for Turkey unless a solution is reached in Cyprus. Ankara's joining the EU would give Greece great relief. In that case Greece would be able to channel into the economy a greater part of the funds currently being spent for military purposes. That way it would be able to reinforce peace in the Aegean. However, there is a single condition that still has to be met: Cyprus.

As you can see Cyprus is coming to the foreground once again.

In December 2002 we missed the first big chance in Copenhagen. We missed another chance in April this year. In both cases Denktas said NO, weakening our hand a little further.

We are heading for the 2004 rendezvous with missing cards. If we miss this chance as well we will lose Cyprus entirely".

/SK

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