Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-12-12

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HURRIYET discloses Denktas´ proposal on the return of the Greek Cypriot displaced persons to their homes and properties in the new plan he is preparing.

[02] Denktas says American companies have applied to his regime for the oil resources, which allegedly are in the territorial waters of Cyprus.

[03] The Turkish Prime Minister calls on the EU to accept the faits accomplis of the invasion and occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkish troops.

[04] Eroglu says that the money which Turkey sends to the pseudostate is distributed only after the approval of the ^Óambassador^Ô of Turkey to occupied Nicosia.

[05] One of the three independent candidates of the ^Óelections^Ô in the occupation regime was withdrawn from the election race.

[06] Local daily publishes information from American sources to the effect that USA wants negotiations after the ^Óelections^Ô but only on the basis of the Anan Plan.

[07] The Patriotic Unity Movement calls on the Turkish Cypriot to say ^ÓNo^Ô to the ^Óelections^Ô.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HURRIYET discloses Denktas´ proposal on the return of the Greek Cypriot displaced persons to their homes and properties in the new plan he is preparing

^ÓThere is a surprise article in the "new solution plan" alternative to the Annan Plan, which the `TRNC President´ Rauf Denktas thinks to convey to the UN after the elections. According to this article, the Greek Cypriots will be able to settle in the north of the Island and to become property owners. The settling of the Greek Cypriots in the north and becoming property owners will be realized within the framework of a certain plan and timetable. In the Annan Plan, the number of Greek Cypriots who could settle in the north and become property owners was envisaged to be more than 60 thousand. In the Denktas plan, this number is way below 60 thousand. According to the Denktas plan, the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot states on the island will be sovereign in their own regions. Cyprus will be represented with a single identity in the outside world. The "Roof State", which will be established by the two sides, will assume the function of representation. The roof state will also be responsible for carrying out international relations and providing security. Each of the two sovereign states will have the revolving position of president and vice president. The Turkish military will remain on the island.^Ô

[02] Denktas says American companies have applied to his regime for the oil resources, which allegedly are in the territorial waters of Cyprus

In statements during one of his meetings, Mr Denktas noted that his regime knew that for years the Republic of Cyprus is trying to sign agreements with Egypt and Syria and that the American companies have entered into this job.

Mr Denktas said also that the Turkish Sismik vessel had come to the region in the past and carried out some researches.

Asked to reveal the details of their contacts with the American companies, Mr Denktas noted: ^ÓThe American companies expressed interest in this issue and informed us about the agreements they made with the Greek Cypriots. ^ÅThe Americans have applied in order to make an agreement with us. These issues are examined both by us and by Turkey. It is our right to benefit from the oil resources, which are in our territorial waters and the waters between Turkey and us. When an agreement with the Greek Cypriots is reached everything of course will be carried out fifty-fifty. Therefore, no one should worry about our future, because it will be more prosperous and beautiful. ^Å^Ô.

The paper writes that Mr Denktas^Ò statements confirmed the statements made by his son, the leader of the Democratic Party, Serdar Denktas who had accused the Americans and the Europeans of trying ^Óto get hold of Cyprus in order to get the oil^Ô. Mr Serdar Denktas had made these statements in order to prove that the Annan Plan is full of traps for the Turkish Cypriots (see: Turkish Mass Media Bulletin No 235/03, Date: 11.12.2003, Item 1).

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (12.12.03) reports that Turkey^Òs Minister of Energy and Natural Recourses, Hilmi Guler stated that it was not right to say that the EU and the USA ^Óhave their eyes on the oil and the natural gas resources in the area of Cyprus^Ô. Asked whether or not the efforts of the EU and the USA to have the Annan plan signed are due to the oil and natural gas resources in the region, Mr Guler said: ^ÓIt is not right for us to enter into such issues, we are interested in the technical aspect of the issue^Ô.

[03] The Turkish Prime Minister calls on the EU to accept the faits accomplis of the invasion and occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkish troops

Following are the questions put by TRT and Mr Erdogan´s replies:

Question: Can you give us the messages Turkey will convey especially regarding the Cyprus issue? What are we going to say at the summit?

Answer: At the moment, as you know and as we have said earlier, the Cyprus issue is not linked to the political criteria. We, however, also stated that there is a de facto situation. It is impossible to cast these relations aside. Within the framework of these relations, the south Cyprus administration should also be convinced by the EU to adopt a positive approach to the issue. We have always stressed that once the sides adopt a positive approach to the issue, then it will be easier to reach a solution. This is the theme we will be working on here.

Question: One can notice that the EU is not trying to apply a lot of pressure on Cyprus, especially on the Greek Cypriot side. In general, the pressure was directed toward north Cyprus. As you know, very clear messages were conveyed prior to the elections. The desire for the opposition's success was expressed. Within this framework, what are the messages you intend to convey to your counterparts during your bilateral contacts?

Answer: The issue we shall be insistent on will be the following: You should apply to south Cyprus the same pressure that you are applying to the north. In other words, in a way, it is wrong to view this as pressure. If we are going to act as mediators, if we are sincere, and if we are in search of a lasting and just solution, then there are two different religions, languages, and sections here. This should be accepted. There are two declared and separate states. We have always stressed the need to recognize these states. These facts cannot be cast aside, they cannot be ignored. If the issue is the discussion of the Annan plan, then we have already stated that we do not favour running away from negotiations. It can be discussed. It might have negative and positive aspects. All these should be assessed. Then the sides should adopt a self-sacrificing approach and find a common denominator. We believe that a solution can thus be reached.

[04] Eroglu says that the money which Turkey sends to the pseudostate are distributed only after the approval of the ^Óambassador^Ô of Turkey to occupied Nicosia

Responding to accusations by the opposition party leaders that he and the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas spend the money sent by Turkey and distribute them to their supporters, so-called Prime Minister, Dervis Eroglu said, inter alia, the following:

^Ó^ÅWhat do both Mehmet Ali Talat and Akinci say from time to time? They say: ^ÑTurkey sends money and they (translator^Òs note: Eroglu and Rauf Denktas) squander it. Turkey sends money and they give it to their supporters^Ò. ^ÅAkinci was 2.5 years in the government and Mehmet Ali Talat 34 months. And I have been partner of Akinci in the government. How many times have we called on Turkey to send money? (This happens) because the TRNC is under the embargo of the EU, which they are describing as paradise. These two friends know too how the money from Turkey comes. It comes in the name of Turkey^Òs ambassador, it is deposited in the Central Bank and it is (used) for the infrastructure and when there is a deficit in the budget, with the approval of the ambassador, it is set free again with the approval of the ambassador. ^Å We see this money only on the paper. However, this money is not in our hands. Therefore, Mr Talat and Mr Akinci do not talk a lot on this issue. They insist on saying ^Ñmoney comes from Turkey and you distribute it to your supporters^Ò. The truth is what I have just said. ^Å^Ô.

[05] One of the three independent candidates of the ^Óelections^Ô in the occupation regime was withdrawn from the election race

[06] Local daily publishes information from American sources to the effect that USA wants negotiations after the ^Óelections^Ô but only on the basis of the Anan Plan

The USA Government wants the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem to start immediately after the ^Óelections^Ô, despite who the winner of the elections might be. In Washington there is also the general view that the parties which are now in power and the parties of the opposition are very close regarding the votes they will get.

Moreover, according to the same sources, Washington has warned that the USA, the United Nations and the Greek side will not accept any Plan, other than the Annan Plan to be discussed and that they will not consent to any other alternative plan prepared by the Turkish Cypriot side or Ankara.

[07] The Patriotic Unity Movement calls on the Turkish Cypriot to say ^ÓNo^Ô to the ^Óelections^Ô

According to a press release by PUM which is published by the paper, the party stated that at the Sunday ^Óelections^Ô the civil and military administration of Turkey will make new appointments at the pseudoparliament ^Ówhich are going to be decorations at the shop window which is at northern Cyprus^Ô

^ÓIt is possible to change the persons of the status quo, but not the status quo^Ô stressed PUM. The party also stated that the Turkish Cypriots are not affected by the ^Óelection^Ô results, which are predictable from now and called on the Turkish Cypriots not to lose their hope. It also called on everybody to go out on the streets on the 15th of December in order for Cyprus and the Cypriots to be united again.

/SK

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