Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-02-12

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Reference to Cyprus by the Turkish Prime Minister during an address of his parliamentary faction

[02] Turkey's five objections to the Annan plan

[03] The Turkish side has reportedly proposed a four-sided meeting

[04] Rauf Denktas said that both sides have rejected the proposal regarding the UN Secretary - General's filling the empty spaces

[05] Talat says the resumption of the talks is near

[06] The United Cyprus Party expresses concerns that the strengthening of the bizonality will lead to the division of Cyprus

[07] The Turkish Minister of Labour said that the Cyprus problem should not be part of the Greco-Turkish disputes

[08] Gul: We have come to a point we have planned earlier

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Reference to Cyprus by the Turkish Prime Minister during an address of his parliamentary faction

He said: "The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has certain sensitivities it cannot renounce. I believe that we are doing our share to the fullest in the quest for a lasting peace. This approach, I believe, is now being shared by the other sides as well. If it is shared, significant steps will be taken toward a solution. My esteemed friends, the policy to be pursued by the Turkish side in the New York talks was determined at the end of cooperation and consensus among all the concerned sides.

Many different things are being said and written. We, however, are taking our current steps in relation to the talks by drawing lessons from the past. At a time when Turkey is involved in such important negotiations, those who attack the government at every opportunity should reconsider what they are doing. As in connection with other issues, they have never uttered a single enlightening sentence in connection with the solution of the Cyprus problem. Unashamed before the people they represent, they turn this important national issue into a tool for cheap election shows."

Following the meeting, Erdogan replied to NTV's questions. Asked if parliament is going to discuss the Cyprus issue on 12 February, he replied: "First, the negotiations must end in New York."

The prime minister pointed out that the situation is not yet definite in the New York talks. He added: "Parliament will assess the situation after the negotiations end."

He did not reply when asked about the atmosphere he was perceiving in New York.

The prime minister reiterated his views at the closed session of the Justice and Development Party (JDP). He told this meeting that he asked the JDP deputies not to comment until the end of the New York talks. The JDP parliamentary faction decided to remain silent on the issue and to wait until it becomes definite if and where the negotiations will continue.

[02] Turkey's five objections to the Annan plan

"In the Cyprus talks just started in New York under the chairmanship of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are objecting to five points and calling for the plan to be amended.

Subtitle : Strengthening Of Bizonality

Annan Plan: The proportion of Greek Cypriots that will settle in the Turkish part of the island will not exceed 21 percent of the Turkish population. The Greek Cypriots will be able to vote in local and general elections and run in elections provided the Turkish side grants them citizenship. The joint parliament will consist of two houses: a House of Representatives (lower house) and a Senate (upper house). The House of Representatives will have 25 percent Turkish and 75 percent Greek Cypriots according to the island's population. The Senate will be an equal 24 seats each.

Turkey: The proportion of Greek Cypriots settling in the Turkish side should be dropped to 15 percent. Failing this, in elections if the Greek Cypriots form their own party and use the ethnic vote they will have the strength to break the Turkish side's representational equality in the joint parliament. The 15 percent of Greek Cypriots to come over must also not be allowed to vote in parliamentary elections in the Turkish side. They should only have the right to participate in local elections. They should cast their votes in parliamentary elections in the Greek Cypriot side. As well as bizonality there should also be the element of two communities. Let the 24-24 equality in the Upper House be on a Turkish and Greek Cypriot ethnic basis. If the Greek Cypriots coming over to the Turkish side get to vote then they could put Greek Cypriot members in populate the Turkish side's contingent.

Subtitle: Let Borders Be Straight

Annan Plan: The Turkish side currently holds 36 percent of the island. With most of it going from the Morphou region this will be reduced to 29 percent. The four Greek Cypriot villages in the Rizokarpasso region will remain in the Turkish area but will be managed by the Greek Cypriots.

Turkey: The map determining the borders should be redrawn. Let the line be a straight one. This will ensure easier border control. If the line is cooked then control will be difficult. Turkey will be flexible over the land matter if these conditions are considered during talks in a manner acceptable to both sides.

Subtitle: Increase In Powers Of Turkish Military

Annan Plan: The number of soldiers belonging to the guarantor countries will be reduced to 6,000 each in accordance with a timetable agreed on by all sides. When Turkey becomes a member of the EU [its] 6,000 soldiers will be withdrawn. The remaining soldiers will inform the UN of any action it is to take by giving 48 or 72 hours' notice according to the gravity of the situation.

Turkey: There is confusion as to what normal situation is and what is urgent. Let the condition about informing the UN in advance be lifted. The remaining Turkish forces on the island should have freedom of movement and their powers should be increased.

Subtitle: Let Guarantor Status Be Strengthened

Annan Plan: Guarantor countries on the island -- Turkey, Greece and Britain -- will complete their guarantor and security agreements by 22 March. If an agreement is not reached by the stated date then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will fill in the gaps.

Turkey: There should be no time limit for the guarantor countries to reach an agreement on guarantor status and security. If a settlement is not reached by 22 March UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan cannot make the decision. The talks will continue.

Subtitle: Parliament To Ratify After Referendum

Annan Plan: The guarantor countries on the island -- Turkey Greece and Britain -- will ratify the final plan in their parliaments on 9 April. Both the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides of the island will put the plan to referendum on 21 April.

Turkey: It is against our constitution for the plan to be ratified in parliament without it being accepted on the island. The Turkish Grand National Assembly will discuss the plan after the referendums on the island."

[03] The Turkish side has reportedly proposed a four-sided meeting

Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (12.02.04) reports that the Turkish proposal provides for the negotiations between the sides in Cyprus to last until 26 March and in case no result was reached Turkey and Greece to be included in the talks, which should continue for another 7-10 days. In case no result is reached after this as well, the Turkish proposal is reportedly providing for the UN Secretary - General feeling the empty spaces and submitting the result to a referendum.

KIBRIS writes that the so-called minister of foreign affairs, Mr Serdar Denktas said yesterday that they waited for the reply of the Greek Cypriot side to their proposal and in case this answer is positive the talks could begin on Monday. The answer is expected to be given at the third meeting between the sides, which will take place tonight at 22:00 hours (Cyprus time). Mr Denktas supported that the UN Secretary - General, has positively accepted their proposal. He also added that they would be returning to Cyprus as soon as the meeting ended.

[04] Rauf Denktas said that both sides have rejected the proposal regarding the UN Secretary - General's filling the empty spaces

Mr Denktas said that both sides have rejected the proposal regarding the UN Secretary - General filling the empty spaces. "We have supported that others could not take such vital decision regarding the destiny of a people", argued Denktas adding that Mr Annan told the leaders to bring alternative proposals on this issue.

Mr Denktas said that if they could not make the amendments they wanted they would evaluate the situation with Turkey and decide what to do.

Mr Denktas noted that in case yesterday's meeting was successful the negotiations could continue in Nicosia, but he added that the location of the negotiations was not yet clarified. He said that the place of the negotiations should be somewhere that is convenient for the UN Secretary - General because Mr Annan told them that he wanted to be near the place of the talks so that he could participate in them when necessary.

Furthermore, Mr Denktas admitted that he did not like UN Secretary - General's special advisor, Mr Alvaro de Soto and supported that Mr De Soto as well did not like him. "He tried to remove me and I tried to remove him. However, both of us were not successful. We shook hands and went on".

[05] Talat says the resumption of the talks is near

Responding to a question Mr Talat said: "I think that we are not far away (from the resumption of the talks). We may be nearing to the talks".

Commenting on Mr Serdar Denktas' describing the meeting, which took place the day before, as "positive", Mr Talat noted: "We expected it to be more negative. That is why we think it is positive. However, it was not negative".

[06] The United Cyprus Party expresses concerns that the strengthening of the bizonality will lead to the division of Cyprus

The UCP stressed that the road map, which in short refers to the strengthening of the bizonality and the clarification of the guarantorships and the maps, will not help towards the solution of the Cyprus problem in the basis of the Annan Plan, because it leads to the division of the island.

Commenting further on the issue of the road map, the Turkish Cypriot Party expressed its concerns because, as it stressed, the Turkish Cypriots have no information at all regarding this road map.

[07] The Turkish Minister of Labour said that the Cyprus problem should not be part of the Greco-Turkish disputes

Mr Basesgioglu stated that the Cyprus problem is not an issue that can easily "be wiped away" and said: "However, I would like to mention that the year 2004 is from Turkey's point of view an important year that is related to the negotiation date in the talks with the EU. All these, not Cyprus, should be considered in a package as a whole in our problems with Greece".

Referring to the latest meeting of the National Security Council as regards the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Minister stated that the meeting follows the state policy regarding the issue and said that the Cyprus problem 'it is not without an owner". Mr Basesgioglu went on and said: "Denktas is a man of the problem. He is the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community. As government and Turkey we will march together in the road of this process. The will of our government is clear regarding this".

[08] Gul: We have come to a point we have planned earlier

He went on and said that they have followed a national policy on the Cyprus problem and added: "Today we have come to the point that we have planned earlier. A very careful work has been done. We have consulted everybody and we are in continuous contact with Rauf Denktas.

Commenting on press reports that Turkey is under pressure from the outside world Gul said: "Exerting pressure on Turkey is out of the question"

In his turn the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas said that in consultation with the Turkish Government they have submitted their compromise proposal to the Greek Cypriot side. When asked what would be the Greek side's reaction to their proposal Denktas said that if they (Greek Cypriots) refuse it they would be in a difficult situation.

EG/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article