Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-02-05

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas insists on his views and asks for recognition of the occupation regime.

[02] Written statement issued after the Ankara meeting on Cyprus.

[03] Statement by the Turkish Cypriot leader after meeting with Erdogan and Gul in Ankara.

[04] Statements by Erdogan after the Ankara summit.

[05] Talat explains the decisions taken in the Ankara meeting on Cyprus.

[06] Statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister. For him the most important is for the Turkish side to exhibit good will.

[07] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with Mumtaz Soysal before the Ankara meeting on Cyprus.

[08] Eroglu stated that his Party and a large number of Turkish Cypriots will initiate a democratic resistance if the Annan Plan is accepted as it stands now.

[09] The Patriotic Unity Movement stated that the Turkish Cypriot side is responsible for the delays at the crossing points of the buffer zone.

[10] According to RADIKAL former US Ambassador to Turkey will be observer at the talks.

[11] The Farmers' Association criticised the latest statements of Erdogan for territorial concession and called on Denktas to resign.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Columnist in SABAH supports that despite risks Turkey is playing the Cyprus trump-card for the first time.

[13] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Denktas "was not convinced" during the meeting with Erdogan and Gul.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas insists on his views and asks for recognition of the occupation regime

In statements at occupied Lefkoniko airport before his departure to Ankara, Mr Denktas said that he was going to Ankara to get information about the Turkish government's latest contacts in New York and Washington on the Cyprus issue.

Referring to the statement of Prime Minister Erdogan who had said that the Turkish side could make territorial concessions, Mr Denktas noted: "If the TRNC is recognized and our sovereignty is accepted we could make concessions. However, this will be reasonable concession. It will not be a concession, which will be eliminating a hundred thousand of our people. There is an exchange of territory, which we call 'adjustment of boundaries'. 'We could not have an approach such as 'let us give the territory and we shall see what will happen'. First we shall see what will happen and then we shall discuss the territory".

Responding to a question, Mr Denktas said he did not and could not evaluate the Cyprus problem with the UN Secretary - General before having contacts with the Turkish government.

[02] Written statement issued after the Ankara meeting on Cyprus

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held an exchange of ideas with Rauf Denktas, Mehmet Ali Talat; and Serdar Denktas, on the stage reached with regard to the Cyprus issue. Deputy Prime Ministers Mr Gul and Mr Sener participated in the meeting as well. The prime minister briefed Denktas and the Turkish Cypriot officials on his meetings and contacts with UN Secretary-General Annan in Davos and US President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and Secretary of State Powell in Washington. The joint goal of attaining a just and lasting peace in Cyprus was confirmed by both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots at the meeting. Along these lines, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have agreed to make joint efforts to assist and support the attempts of the UN Secretary-General. As they did in the past, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will continue in the future as well to act in cooperation.

[03] Statement by the Turkish Cypriot leader after meeting with Erdogan and Gul in Ankara

[04] Statements by Erdogan after the Ankara summit

"We can never ignore the Turkish identity in northern Cyprus. It should be safeguarded and strengthened because there are two religions, two languages, and two separate sovereign sections based on two different ethnic roots in Cyprus. This bizonality should be strengthened. In other words, the desired end-result cannot be achieved if this bizonality is not strengthened. This was accepted in the past. I believe, therefore, that it will be accepted in the future as well. It must be accepted. The issue of guarantorship of Turkey and Greece have already been accepted. The issue of the map comes next, but this will be discussed at the end. In my opinion, the sides will find a solution to the map issue once all the other important issues are settled. I believe that the sides will resolve the details once the other issues are settled", said Mr Erodgan.

[05] Talat explains the decisions taken in the Ankara meeting on Cyprus

In reply to correspondents' questions at his hotel after the meeting on the Cyprus problem in Ankara, Talat said: "All the issues are being discussed at present. In the end, there will be one result. The Turkish side will display a joint and clear-cut stand."

In reply to a question on whether Annan's conditions were accepted, Talat said that the conditions are not known and that they are waiting for the letter Annan will write to the sides.

In reply to another question on whether Turkey and the occupation regime accept a referendum, Talat said: "A decision on this issue has not been made yet. When a decision is made, it will be a clear and explicit decision."

[06] Statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister. For him the most important is for the Turkish side to exhibit good will

Mr Gul made the following statement and replied to questions:

"I will meet with EU Commissioner Verheugen and Solana, EU High Representative for Security. I will also meet with Luxembourg Foreign Minister Polfer. As you know, Luxembourg is showing a close interest in Turkey because it will be the term president next year, when Turkey, God willing, will start the accession talks. I will also represent the Justice and Development Party at the European People's Party congress. I will deliver a speech there and I will also have the occasion to meet with several political leaders, who will also participate at the European People's Party meeting. These are the reasons why I am going to Brussels. There are various developments both inside and outside Turkey. I will, undoubtedly, also have the opportunity to share and convey our views with regard to these at the EU."

Question: You have just emerged from the [Cyprus] summit. Were you satisfied with the meeting? Do you have anything to say on the issue?

Answer: I believe that the written statement in connection with the meeting was already issued. It was a very productive meeting and, from the beginning, consultations were held with Mr Denktas and the other officials of the "TRNC". It goes without saying that Mr Denktas and the "TRNC" contributed greatly to reach this stage. Turkey and the "TRNC" will pursue this position. We hope for the negotiations to start with the initiative of the UN Secretary-General and for a lasting solution based on the realities of the island and by taking the Annan plan as a reference be secured.

Question: There are reports that Turkey accepted four conditions put forward by Annan for starting the negotiations.

Answer: There are various reports. There are reports about four or five conditions. The important thing is that Turkey and the "TRNC" did everything in their power to start the negotiations. They have taken the most positive steps. All these steps were undertaken in joint consultations. Efforts will, undoubtedly, be exerted to turn this plan into an acceptable shape once the negotiations start. Mr Denktas will, certainly, participate in the negotiations. This work was, therefore, carried out in the open and in full transparency. I am sure that the statement issued today also gave some clear views on this issue.

Question: Will Mr Denktas chair the meetings or just participate in them?

Answer: You can also ask other questions. You can ask for how long will he be present, when will he go out, and with whom will he sit. To tell you the truth, it is not the right time to ask such questions. The important thing now is that the goodwill has been displayed. The work conducted jointly is out in the open. Everybody is making every contribution they can. This is a consultative process and the consultations will continue.

[07] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with Mumtaz Soysal before the Ankara meeting on Cyprus

Journalist Huseyin Ekmekci, who covered all the contacts of the delegation in the column "Ankara Notes", inter alia writes: "The `TRNC´ delegation later went to Sheraton Hotel where it would spend one evening. Because the meeting (with Erdogan and Gul) was delayed for two hours, `Prime Minister´ Talat and `Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister´ Serdar Denktas opted to pass the time in the lobby, whereas `President´ Rauf Denktas withdrew to his room accompanied by constitutional expert Mumtaz Soysal".

[08] Eroglu stated that his Party and a large number of Turkish Cypriots will initiate a democratic resistance if the Annan Plan is accepted as it stands now

Mr Eroglu alleged that his Party and a large number of Turkish Cypriots will initiate a "democratic resistance" if the Annan Plan is accepted as it stands now and if a "submissive approach" is followed regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem. Stating that the Cyprus problem is going through a very crucial phase, Mr Eroglu said that his party will show great support to a solution which will safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, will provide the continuation of the sovereignty, the statehood, the equality and the security of the pseudostate and which will take into consideration the realities in Cyprus and will be a just and permanent solution.

Stressing that the Annan plan can only be taken as a reference, he said that the Turkish Cypriots will be dragged into a dangerous future if the main principles and core of the Annan plan are not changed.

[09] The Patriotic Unity Movement stated that the Turkish Cypriot side is responsible for the delays at the crossing points of the buffer zone

The PUM strongly criticised Mr Talat, who during a visit he paid yesterday to Ayios Dhometios crossing point at the buffer zone, alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is responsible for the delays at the crossing points. The PUM stressed that the delays is a result of the unnecessary formalities applied by the Turkish Cypriot side.

[10] According to RADIKAL former US Ambassador to Turkey will be observer at the talks

The written statement issued after the meeting, states that with a view to reaching a settlement in Cyprus, the "Common efforts" will continue.

YENISAFAK reports that if the negotiations resume in New York, Turkish Cypriot leaders Rauf Denktas and Mehmet Ali Talat will sit together at the negotiation table.

RADIKAL in its report under the title: "Denktas should not push the things uphill" says that during the meeting the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan urged Rauf Denktas not to push things uphill.

In a commentary in the same paper Murat Yetkin, under the title: "The USA is observer in the Cyprus negotiations" says that the USA observer at the meetings most probably will be Deputy Secretary of State and former USA ambassador to Turkey Marc Grossman. Yetkin further says that it is possible that the EU as well might appoint an observer and this could be Mr Verheugen the enlargement Commissioner.

Commenting on yesterday's high level meeting and the developments Murat Yetkin says that prior to yesterday´s meeting the following questions were being asked: Could Denktas leave the post of negotiator? If he leaves, could Serdar Denktas, his son, withdraw from the "government"? Or what would happen if Denktas decides to attend the negotiations but then breaks it?

These were being asked not only in Ankara but in Washington, New York, Nicosia, Athens, London, and Brussels, Yetkin concludes.

[11] The Farmers' Association criticised the latest statements of Erdogan for territorial concession and called on Denktas to resign

Accusing the new pseudogovernment of being compliant and stressing that the Cyprus problem is in a very critical phase, Mr Ceyda said that under these conditions Mr Denktas must resign from the position of negotiator and the "presidency" of the pseudostate. "We believe that this is the appropriate thing for a leader who devoted his life against the enosis and who created a Turkish Cypriot state from nothing", he said.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Columnist in SABAH supports that despite risks Turkey is playing the Cyprus trump-card for the first time

"Cyprus weighed heavily on the agenda as political parties in Ankara congratulated each other on the Feast of Sacrifice yesterday. While the government continues to work hard taking steps towards a settlement on the island by 1 May it became very clear yesterday that opposition both inside and outside parliament was not happy with the situation. And not just when the parties were congratulating one another either. The same can be said when one looks at the speeches given by party leaders within their own parties when celebrating the holiday.

What they all had in common was the fact that the government was taking very dangerous risks while seeking a settlement on Cyprus. They focused in particular on Prime Minister Erdogan's comments while in the United States: "We might cede land on Cyprus."

No matter how much Prime Minister Erdogan tried to explain what this remark meant upon his return from the United States and while congratulating the Istanbul Party Organization, the opposition perceives things differently. Even though Erdogan accused the opposition of not knowing what it was talking about during his speech yesterday, when it comes to Cyprus people are confused in Ankara.

The main reason for this is the failure to explain fully to the opposition what kind of policy is going to be pursued on Cyprus.

In addition to this, the State's opinion as to a settlement on Cyprus is crystal clear as can be seen in the statement issued after the latest National Security Council meeting:

"Using talks to reach a rapid settlement based on the facts as they are on the island."

Subtitle: Ceding land

Even though the opposition parties were objecting yesterday the issue of sharing land on Cyprus is nothing new. It is not something that emerged because Erdogan said something.

It is a topic that has been on the table during talks between all sides on Cyprus for more than 10 years now. The matter of evacuating a specific amount of the 36 percent of the island in which the `TRNC´ exists was always on the agenda.

In the past there was much debate centered on the "29 percent plus" formula. What is being talked about today is no more than this.

Subtitle: Reciprocal give and take

Indeed, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul drew attention to this in our telephone conversation yesterday.

"This is nothing new," he began. Stating that what they wanted to do was nothing more than "a map correction" Gul said:

"Of course, just what this correction will be like will be decided on during the talks now. What we have is a map full of zigzags. This needs to be corrected through reciprocal give and take. What we want is nothing more than a straightening of the zigzag. We find it hard to perceive this as ceding land.

Subtitle: Settlement by 1 May

Gul also noted they were working hard to find a formula for a settlement by 1 May. He maintained that in the past the stalemate was seen to be Turkish in origin but that at the point reached today everything had become clear.

Indeed when one looks at the behavior of the Greek Cypriots lately it can be said that the situation Denktas was in back then is the same one Greek Cypriot leader Papadopoulos is in today.

No matter how much he appears to want to get by until 1 May and then deal with a stronger hand after joining the EU, this does look like being difficult today. Despite the lack of pride in recent developments in particular, the reactions coming from within the EU also show this.

From this perspective the contacts Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will have at a meeting to be attended by EU Christian Democrats in Brussels on 4 February are important. The visit to Ankara by key country Germany's Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder on 23 February is also important from the point of view of contributing to a settlement on Cyprus.

It is certain here that Turkey is playing a major trump card for the first time despite the risks. Just as in the past this must not become the victim of petty party politics and destroyed.

[13] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Denktas "was not convinced" during the meeting with Erdogan and Gul

"The 'important summit' in Ankara had no result. During yesterday's summit the government of Turkey conducted an operation trying to make Denktas change his position and come closer to the steps recently made on the Cyprus problem, but it seems that it did not succeed. And some time was taken. That is, playing in extra time was preferred.

The view in the official statement after the summit that 'the efforts of the UN Secretary – General will be supported', could be translated as 'we could not agree on the issue of the conditions of the Secretary – General and we shall be content with supporting his efforts'. '

According to information given by high-ranking Justice and Development Party (JDP) officials, Denktas has serious hesitations on the steps made by Turkey. Denktas opposes to both the talks without conditions and the referendum.

As Talat said, everything was openly discussed at the summit. Everything was discussed and evaluated, but neither the Turkish government's suggestions nor the TRNC government's insistence had any result.

In the end it was agreed that the essence of Annan's invitation should be waited for. The Turkish side will make a new evaluation according to the context of the invitation. This is the translation of the statement made after the summit that 'it has been a very good meeting and we have reached a consensus'. '

It seems that the UN Secretary – General will send to the sides an invitation which will be including his conditions. The Secretary – General will set forward a date (probably the 11th of February) and ask the sides to give their response until then. The Turkish side decided to use this date until the end. The content of the invitation will be evaluated and the final opinion will be formed. If president Denktas is convinced the talks will start with Denktas. If not, the formula of 'the government conducting the talks' will be enforced. '".

/SK

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