Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-01-21

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Mehmet Ali Talat is holding contacts in Ankara.

[02] Abdullah Gul: Federations based on ethnic or religious grounds are not good for the future of Iraq.

[03] Mr Deniz Baykal criticizes the Turkish government and replies to Mr Verheugen.

[04] The President of Pakistan has said that the Turkish invasion of Cyprus further developed his country´s relations with Turkey.

[05] VATAN newspaper writes that the report of the Helsinki Group of Human Rights referred to the Cyprus 'realities'.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Column in HALKIN SESI criticizes Talat and Serdar Denktas for wanting a solution until May.

[07] Columnist in KIBRIS says that Serdar Denktas is not pleased with Turkey's plan for Cyprus and argues that some DP "MP's" might not give a "confidence vote" to the pseudogovernment.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Mehmet Ali Talat is holding contacts in Ankara

Prior to the luncheon given at the Foreign Ministry Guest House, Gul made a statement to reporters saying that the process toward the solution of the Cyprus problem is continuing.

"As you know from the statements we made there, we hope that a just and lasting solution that is satisfactory to both sides and to us and that will safeguard the future of the Turkish Cypriots in the `TRNC´ will be found prior to 1 May. Both Turkey and the `TRNC´ are exerting every possible effort in that direction," Gul said.

Talat said that these are significant days within the framework of the Cyprus solution process, and added:

"Very serious developments and preparations are taking place with regard to the Cyprus problem. We stressed during the process of the government formation that we will act toward the solution of the Cyprus problem through consultations with Turkey."

Noting that he planned to go to Ankara together with Serdar Denktas, so-called foreign minister and deputy prime minister, Talat said that Denktas remained in Cyprus because of his busy schedule.

Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, also met with Rifat Hisarciklioglu, president of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges. In reply to a question on whether there were differences of views with Turkey on the Cyprus issue, Talat said:

"We overlap on most issues. As a matter of fact, the concerns or the goals are the same. It is to safeguard the interests and goals of the Turkish Cypriot people as well as their presence on the island. Within this framework, even if there are differences, they are differences of views."

Recalling that Mr Rauf Denktas will be going to Turkey on Saturday [24 January], Talat said that the visit is not related to the National Security Council meeting.

[02] Abdullah Gul: Federations based on ethnic or religious grounds are not good for the future of Iraq

Speaking to A.A, Gul said that the statement of George Papandreou also showed that the political will to sort out peacefully everything between the two countries existed, adding that he welcomed the statements of Papandreou. Gul said: ''In fact we have already started reducing defense expenses.''

Gul said that the budget of the National Education Ministry was more than the National Defense Ministry's budget for the first time this year.

''We hope we can have the opportunity to spend our resources more for the richness and prosperity of our peoples. We must develop confidence building measures to this end. Progress on Turkey's EU membership bid, Turkey's starting full membership negotiations with EU, its becoming a member of EU in the future will further decrease the defense expenses. In fact no country wants to keep high its defense expenses, it is done because of obligations. In that respect I find very positive the recent statements of Papandreou,'' Gul said.

Asked if other problems between the two countries would be solved in parallel to the solution of the Cyprus question, Gul said: ''Studies are already underway. Foreign ministry undersecretaries of the two countries are carrying out studies. Neither Greece nor Turkey are announcing the content of the talks at the moment. Nearly 30 meetings have been held, and this will continue.''

Gul further said Turkey has the political determination for starting, negotiations within the Annan Plan to find a solution to the Cyprus question before May 1, noting that, ''however this does not mean Turkey will accept everything that has been proposed or it will give and get rid of Cyprus. We are exerting efforts to find a solution. I hope the Greek Cypriot side will display a similar understanding.''

When recalled the statements of Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) leader Massoud Barzani who said that they would withdraw their support from the United States if their demand was not met until March 1 and the demand of Iraqi Kurds for autonomy, Gul said: ''These are not realistic and not for the interest of Kurds in the north of Iraq. Federations based on ethnic or religious foundations are not good for the future of Iraq. All parts in Iraq had suffered difficulties very much in the past. Now, that period should be forgotten and a new period should start. Iraq should be peaceful and spend its sources for the prosperity of the country in this new period. Thus, it will be very wrong to invite renewed instability to that country. I am sure that Kurdish leaders will see this as well.''

Noting that Turkey had supported Kurdish parties in the north of Iraq in the past and would continue to support from now on, Gul said that if a new structure had been shaped there in the past 15 years, it was shaped with the support of Turkey for 15 years.

When asked whether this issue would be brought onto the agenda during the visit of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the United States, Gul said that one of the most important issues to be discussed would be the Iraq issue.

Noting that Turkey would convey its views with good intention, Gul said that a stable, peaceful and rich Iraq was for the interest of Turkey.

[03] Mr Deniz Baykal criticizes the Turkish government and replies to Mr Verheugen

Baykal criticized Cicek regarding the Operation Lancet-2 by saying that this is the first grave mistake he committed while in office. He said: "It is not the duty of the justice minister to make distressing statements to the public with regard to the investigations being conducted by the public prosecutors or to direct them in their investigations." Noting that the appointments made by the government to the high ranking offices of the state are being turned down, Baykal added: "All these reflect a profound disagreement. A crisis might be expected in the period ahead of us."

Continuing his criticisms of the under secretary of the Prime Minister's office, Baykal said: "This person is going to give a briefing to the National Security Council [NSC] on the issue of Islamist threats. Can this be viewed as serious? Is this a play being staged at the NSC?"

Reacting to the remarks made by Verheugen to the effect that the RPP is being obstinate on the issue of Cyprus, Baykal said: "Yes, we continue to be obstinate. You have managed to straighten everyone out. You have managed to educate them. Leave the RPP alone so that it can continue to voice the interests of Turkey."

[04] The President of Pakistan has said that the Turkish invasion of Cyprus further developed his country´s relations with Turkey

Describing Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey, as a ''hero'', President Musharraf said: ''Muslim people in our country give his name to their children.''

Noting that relations between the two countries had consolidated after Pakistan acquired its independence, President Musharraf said: ''The Peace Operation in Cyprus in 1974 further developed our relations. Turkey has never made any concessions from its support to Pakistan. We are especially grateful to Turkey for its support to Pakistan on Kashmir dispute. Leaders and governments will change, but the affection of Turkish and Pakistani peoples to each other will always continue.''

[05] VATAN newspaper writes that the report of the Helsinki Group of Human Rights referred to the Cyprus 'realities'

"The British Helsinki Group of Human Rights stressed that discriminative and racist behaviour is exhibited against the Turkish Cypriots, especially against the Turks who came from Turkey and settled in 'TRNC'.

The Group referred to the Cyprus' 'realities' in its Human Rights Report, dated 7th January 2004. In the report, in which the need is pointed out for discussion of two-states solution, taking into consideration the Cyprus' 'realities', it is noted that Annan Plan's provision of returning home, will not help the atmosphere of peace which prevails in the island.

In the report it is noted that it is not possible for a solution to be lasting if it is based on the legitimacy of only the one side.

In the report it is noted that adjectives like "dictator" and "monster" continuously used by the Greek side against ´President´ Denktas, are funny allegations against a leader who took the leadership with democratic means and elections."

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Column in HALKIN SESI criticizes Talat and Serdar Denktas for wanting a solution until May

The two companions, Republican Turkish Party [RTP] leader Mehmet Ali Talat and [Democratic Party (DP)] leader Serdar Denktas, have stated their intention. The objective is 1 May and the train to board is the Annan Plan. Our road goes all the way to Athens via Brussels.

The meaning of the Annan Plan and 1 May is to get tagged on to the Greek Cypriot state with a name change. As stated in the folk songs, "There is no need for a guide because the end of the road is in sight," irrespective of what Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Serdar Denktas and Mehmet Ali Talat might say.

The aim of the Annan Plan and 1 May is to destroy the "TRNC", make 100,000 Turkish Cypriots refugees, allow initially 100,000 and later 200,000 Greek Cypriots to live among us, hand over the power in North Cyprus to the Greek Cypriots through the means of elections, uproot the Turkish Cypriots in groups from their homes and places of work, and dump them into the street.

They argue that they will sit at the negotiating table and will change the Annan Plan.

They cannot fool anyone. The Greek Cypriots will not say "yes" to this. Imperialism, the architect of the plan, will never say "yes" either. Once you sit at the table, you will not be able to leave the table.

They will make you accept it under pressure. What will happen if you say "no?" Will the world put the blame on the Greek Cypriot side? No, they will again make you the scapegoat.

Moreover, Talat will then say, "Well, since they do not accept any changes, let us accept the plan as it is."

Erdogan will press, imperialism will press.

Where, then, will the DP hide? Will it not remain between two stones, just like the frogs on the shores of the Nile River, and get crushed? Will it also have the `President´ crushed for no reason?

This is a blind alley; it ends nowhere. They will see the result through bitter experience, especially when the Greek Cypriots begin coming and demanding, "Get out of my house." Who will hide and where will he hide to escape the wrath of the people?

Did [columnist of the newspaper Volkan] Hasan Keskin not predict the road ahead?

In any case, we shall not submit sweetly and docilely.

Every house will become a front line and house-to-house defense will begin.

Well, who will then solve this bloody mess?

Do Mehmet Ali Talat and Serdar Denktas have an answer to this test question?"

[07] Columnist in KIBRIS says that Serdar Denktas is not pleased with Turkey's plan for Cyprus and argues that some DP "MP's" might not give a "confidence vote" to the pseudogovernment

Mr Duzgun writes, inter alia, the following:

"Turkey's Chambers and Stock Exchanges Union (TOBB) is an organization to which the Justice and Development Party (JDP) attaches great importance and with which it has close relations. Prime Minister Erdogan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gul have a relationship with TOBB's chairman, Rifat Hisarciklioglu that is more than friendly and is based on trust. For some time now the JDP government does through TOBB whatever it cannot do due to political or diplomatic reasons. It takes through TOBB the steps it cannot make. Many times in the past we have seen TOBB officials to mediate for the government on the issues of America, Iraq and the European Union. For some time now TOBB is carrying out a similar mission in northern Cyprus.

Behind the scene of the visit of the political party leaders to Ankara on 8 and 9 January was TOBB. 'JDP wanted the government to be formed as soon as possible. Erdogan and Gul felt the need to have a face-to-face meeting with RTP leader Talat and DP leader Serdar Denktas. If Talat and Serdar Denktas had been directly invited to Ankara by the JDP government, some speculations could be made. TOBB got into action at this point. Serdar Denktas had already received an invitation to participate in a Star TV programme. TOBB invited Ali Talat to Ankara. 'The goal was to ensure contacts of Talat and Serdar Denktas with Erdogan and Gul. This project was changed after an interference by Rauf Denktas and an objection by Mehmet Ali Talat. Rauf Denktas said that all the party leaders should be invited to Ankara. In the objection of Talat to TOBB's invitation was also the demand regarding inviting all the political leaders. Thus the plan was changed and all party leaders were invited. '

Last night TOBB invited again "prime minister" Mehmet Ali Talat and "deputy prime minister" Serdar Denktas to Ankara "for a conference". What was the aim of the invitation during such a hard-pressed period when intensive work is taking place for the government to ensure a confidence vote? The aim was revealed yesterday at meeting, which continued at lunch as well, between deputy Prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul and `prime minister´ Talat. The government of Turkey felt the need of exchanging views and inform (Talat and Serdar Denktas) on the revisions to the Annan Plan. And it had invited both of them to Ankara through TOBB. However, it is interesting that `deputy prime minister´ Serdar Denktas did not accept this invitation, that is, he did not participate (in the meeting). Why? According to information we acquired from the political and diplomatic back scenes, Serdar Denktas did not like the changes the government of Turkey made to the Annan Plan or he did not find them sufficient. Serdar Denktas preferred to behave in this way to show that 'we are not pleased with these changes' and showed his reaction by not going to Ankara. In any case Rauf Denktas will go to Ankara on Saturday and discuss the issue with Prime Minister Erdogan. The uneasiness of the DP on this issue was conveyed to Ankara by Serdar Denktas when he rejected the invitation before this meeting.

Yesterday, at the political back scenes of Nicosia the issue of RTP-DP government not being able to ensure a vote of confidence was being discussed. It was said that some DP MP's could give a negative vote. If Rauf Denktas and Serdar Denktas are preparing to do such a thing, that is if they are thinking of playing with the government in order to block the changes, which the government of Turkey made to the plan, then it means that we are rapidly heading towards a chaos. The governmental chaos is a serious weapon in the hands of those who do not want to sit at the negotiating table. If the government is not able to ensure a confidence vote then Talat will return the mandate, which will be given to NUP leader Dervis Eroglu and we will be dragged into an adventure with unknown end. '".

/SK

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