Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-03-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan is holding contacts in Brussels.

[02] Erdogan stated that he has a plan B in his pocket in case Turkey will not be given a negotiation date from the EU.

[03] The Turkish Cypriot leader boycotted the talks in Switzerland and started his campaign against acceptance of a possible agreement.

[04] The Turkish Cypriot leader calls on the Turkish Cypriots to reject the Annan Plan.

[05] Denktas alleges that he possesses official documents regarding the derogations from the acquis communautaire.

[06] Further statements by Denktas. He alleges that Talat and Serdar Denktas represent the so-called TRNC.

[07] Serdar Denktas´ interview explains the Turkish side´s intransigence and blackmail attitude regarding the territories occupied by the Turkish troops.

[08] Denktas attacks the UN over rumours.

[09] Turkey understands goodwill to mean Turkish military presence in Cyprus for ever but with reduced numbers.

[10] Turkish University Rector calls on the negotiators in Switzerland not to make concessions from the occupation of Cyprus because the Turkish army can occupy Greece too. He has been demonstrating to divide Cyprus for 50 years.

[11] Denktas has signed the so-called referendum law.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] More signs that Denktas´ intransigence and Ankara´s "goodwill" are part of the good old Turkish game.

[13] Columnist in RADIKAL quotes study prepared by Thomas Miller to justify the US stand in Switzerland.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan is holding contacts in Brussels

In a joint news conference staged after the meeting, which lasted approximately one hour, Verheugen refrained from answering questions on including the derogations in the Annan Plan in the EU Primary Law. Recalling that EU heads of state and government are ready to adjust a possible solution on the Cyprus issue to the EU acquis, Verheugen stressed that the talks are being conducted under the leadership of the United Nations, not the EU. Verheugen underlined that what is important for the solution of the Cyprus problem is an agreement to be reached between the motherlands.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources note that if an agreement is reached on the content of the Annan Plan, the question of the derogations and the EU Primary Law will not pose any problems.

The semi-official news agency Ankara Anatolia (25.03.04) in a related report, adds: Verheugen declared that the EU is ready to assist in the implementation of the conditions of a possible agreement on Cyprus. He said that the EU has a clear commitment to help both sides so long as the principles of democracy, the supremacy of the law, and human rights are not violated. He explained that the EU 'can be flexible.´

Ankara TRT 2 Television (25.03.04) broadcast that Erdogan held a meeting with Javier Solana, the EU high representative for the common foreign and security policy. After the meeting, Erdogan replied to the following questions by a TRT correspondent:

Erdogan: "We exchanged views on the Cyprus issue and the EU negotiation process with Solana. As a matter of fact, as you know, he was in Turkey about two weeks ago. We continued here the talks we started in Turkey."

Question: On the developments concerning the Cyprus issue...

Erdogan: As you know, the quadripartite talks with Mr Gul began in Switzerland yesterday. We will be joining the quadripartite talks at the prime ministerial level on Monday. We will thus be exerting efforts to continue this process in a positive manner and to conclude the issue by 1 May.

Ankara Anatolia (25.03.04) reported from Buergenstock and New York that theTurkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has telephoned European Union (EU) Commission President Romano Prodi and discussed the issue of derogations.

Diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent on Thursday that Prime Minister Erdogan spoke with Prodi on the phone yesterday to discuss that an agreement to be reached in Cyprus should become a part of the primary law of the EU.

Meanwhile, the process of four-party talks was not brought onto the agenda of yesterday's meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis of Greece.

During the meeting, Gul congratulated Moliviatis for his new post as the foreign minister of Greece, and stressed that Turkey had an intention to maintain and further improve the former progress made in the bilateral relations between Turkey and Greece.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent that the Turkish side was still uneasy about the failure of the Greek and the Greek Cypriot sides to put forward their positions concretely. The United Nations has not presented a schedule or a program to the sides so far about the frame of the four-party talks.

Meanwhile, news stories claiming that cell phones were blocked in Buergenstock town of Switzerland in which the four-party Cyprus talks would be held, have been denied.

United Nations officials said early on Thursday that the international organization did not have such a practice, adding that anyone in the town was able to use their cell phones without any interruption.

They said that members of some delegations did not use their cell phones at the meetings due to security reasons.

Earlier, some news stories were published claiming that cell phones of the delegations would be blocked during the four-party talks.

[02] Erdogan stated that he has a plan B in his pocket in case Turkey will not be given a negotiation date from the EU

[03] The Turkish Cypriot leader boycotted the talks in Switzerland and started his campaign against acceptance of a possible agreement

Replying to comments and questions, Mr Denktas, inter alia, said: "I have always acted in a sincere way. Turkey asked us not to obstruct the negotiations in New York and maintain the talks in Nicosia. We complied. The Greek side was aware of Ankara's instruction. Naturally, that weakened our strength to bargain. Well, never mind. We returned to Nicosia and held talks for six weeks in a spirit of goodwill. However, we could not achieve progress.

They formulated the current process to force us to hold a referendum. We held talks in New York and Nicosia, and they finally chose Switzerland for the four-party summit. They are also aware that nothing will be achieved at the end of the four-party talks. Even Greece admitted that that was the case. We agree with them because we know the Greek Cypriots very well. The Greek Cypriot side does not need to reach an agreement because it has the opportunity to represent Cyprus under its false title. It uses the EU as an instrument."

Reiterating that he is against the "philosophy" of the Annan plan, Denktas says: "I have done whatever was necessary in all sincerity. I gave everything in writing. Our colleagues know exactly what we want. They are young people and consequently more flexible than me. Therefore we said they should go. If they can achieve what we want, I will be happy. If they cannot, then I reserve the right to tell my people what the result means. When I talked with Annan in the past, I said: You are putting pressure on us to take this issue to a referendum. If the game you play succeeds, that is, if the agreement is put to a referendum without being changed, then would I not have right to tell my people not to accept it? He replied that I did not. He said: If you conduct the negotiations, then it would not be ethical. Therefore, let us say that I refused to go to Switzerland to avoid being unethical."

Replying to Bila's question as to whether he accepted the timetable set by the UN because of Ankara's request, Denktas says that had he received Ankara's "instruction" to remain at the negotiating table prior to his departure to the United States, he would have decided against participating in the talks in New York. He also says that they accepted the timetable at the time with the hope that Turkey and Greece would find a way to solve the problem and that Annan would formulate a plan that would satisfy both parties and goes on:

"The Cyprus problem cannot be solved by the Annan plan. It is a plan prepared in accordance with the policies of the United States, Britain, and the EU. It calls for the removal of the Turks from the island." He warns that the withdrawal of the Turkish military forces from Cyprus and the cancellation of the title deeds owned by the Turkish Cypriot people will cause tension on the island.

At that point Ergin recalls that Denktas used the term "instruction" when he outlined Ankara's expectations regarding the talks in New York. He then asks whether his relations with Ankara are based on "instructions." Denktas asserts that he does not have differences with the Turkish Government, but its approach during the New York talks prevented him from pursuing a free strategy.

Replying to Bila's question as to whether Ankara might have secured specific guarantees from the United States to remove the Turkish side's concerns, Denktas notes that Ankara was optimistic about a positive result, particularly on the question of derogations, before the New York talks were held. However, he says that Ankara later realized that Washington would support the Turkish side if it agreed to comply with the Annan plan.

When Ergin recalls US Secretary of State Colin Powell's promise to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul that they might contribute to the improvement of the plan in line with the Turkish side's expectations, Denktas asserts that he does not believe that the United States has taken action to do that.

In the second part of the program, Bila says that they will focus on the problems that might emerge if the Annan plan is implemented without being changed. Recalling that that Denktas always drew attention to the protection of bizonality, recognition of equal sovereignty, and the inclusion of the possible Cyprus agreement in the EU Primary Laws, he asks how the plan might affect the daily life of the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktas expresses concern that the Annan plan's approach on the problem of property is unacceptable because it is likely to create conflicts between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots. Meanwhile, he notes that implementing the plan as of 1 May is impossible because the Turkish Cypriot side needs time to adapt its laws to the new agreement. Pointing out that there is uncertainty regarding the situation of civil servants, he asserts that it is unclear whether positions will be created for new cadres in the system to be formed after the agreement is reached. Even the Greek Cypriots admit that it is impossible to realize the plan, he adds.

Recalling that many Turkish Cypriots complain that the occupation regime is recognized only by Turkey, Bila argues that they see the Annan plan as an opportunity to overcome the problem of recognition. Denktas says that those who take the issue of recognition as a significant problem should answer whether they agree to remain as individuals among the Greek Cypriots who will return to north Cyprus. Stressing that the UN plans to dispatch nearly 6,000 servicemen to the island in order to prevent undesirable incidents, he says that incidents will be inevitable because of the problems related to property rights.

Ergin says that what he understands from Denktas' remarks is he is preparing to lead a campaign to have the Turkish Cypriots reject the plan. Denktas says: "Yes, I will. I disclosed that earlier. That is why I decided not to go to Switzerland. Annan informed me that launching a campaign against the plan would be unethical if I attend the talks until the end of the process. Actually, he is right."

Stressing that he made every effort to have the plan amended, Denktas notes: "I understood that it was impossible to change it. I do not have to go until the end of the road. I have the right to leave the negotiating table. However, I have not done it. I sent my representatives. However, I gave a signal to my people and all the parties concerned that the method adopted for the solution of the problem is unacceptable and that there is intensive pressure on us. Such a method has never been adopted in the world. An unfair situation exists. The two sides have not yet reconciled their differences. The Greek Cypriots are still trying to place the whole island under their sovereignty and turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority group. A design is being put into effect to urge the two peoples to live together as if all the problems have been solved."

Ergin then asks what he might do if the Erdogan Government urges him to adopt a flexible approach to help Ankara secure a date for the commencement of talks on Turkey's accession to the EU. Denktas notes: "I do not have to do anything because a referendum will be held. If the people like the changes made in the plan or if signals come from Turkey, they will surely take the signals from Ankara into consideration, and not the signals that come from me."

In the final part of the program, Denktas asserts that he does not believe that the Cyprus problem is an obstacle to Turkey's accession to the EU. Holding the media organs responsible for the reaction against him, Denktas asserts that Ankara should consider its strategic interests on the island.

Replying to Bila's question as to whether Ankara might support Denktas' campaign if the plan is not amended in a way that meets the expectations of the Turkish side, he says that he believes Ankara should support the campaign, considering the fact that all the Turkish Cypriots take Ankara's messages seriously.

Recalling Denktas' remarks that many bureaucrats in Ankara are unable to foresee the problems the realization of the Annan plan might cause, Ergin asks to what extent the Turkish Government is aware of the possible consequences of the plan. Denktas says: " I am speaking frankly and openly. What we see from here cannot be seen from Ankara. A person who does not live here cannot foresee what can happen here if the plan is implemented."

[04] The Turkish Cypriot leader calls on the Turkish Cypriots to reject the Annan Plan

"They are trying to solve the Cyprus problem with a method unseen anywhere else in the world. They have not asked the opinion of the government. Our objections are being disregarded. They say let the people decide. They are going to consult the people about a document which we still find difficult to understand after having read it more than seven times, a document that has now been appended with hundreds of laws and with a constitution which we did not, and could not, draft. This is without precedent in the world.

Let us see what result will emerge from Switzerland. Our side and Turkey have already told all involved that this [the Annan plan] would not be accepted if no fundamental amendments are made to it. But the Greek Cypriots are not bothered about this because they are playing the game of seizing the entire Cyprus through the EU. And as you can see, difficulties cropped up even from the very first day. We have two or three days to go before the end of the month, we will see what Annan will do. We will raise our voice in unison if the expected amendments are missing. We also want the amendments we seek to be permanent. We do not want the extirpation of our rights through decisions to be adopted in Europe in the future. These are called derogations. There are elements that all the countries must endorse for them to be lasting. Turkey has openly declared that in the absence of these derogations whatever is conceded is valueless, fated to remain on paper, and as such would reject it [the Annan plan].

We will now wait and see if today or tomorrow they [the Turkish leaders] will be able to secure a decision on this issue in Brussels. They will then return to Switzerland and make a final move at the talks with the participation of the prime ministers. As I said, a result will emerge by the end of the month. We will see and discuss it.

We are being treated cruelly. Even if this agreement is endorsed it needs time to be implemented on the Turkish side because of economic, social, resettlement, and property issues. Otherwise, they [the foreign forces] will tear us asunder.

The homeland, territory, and flag cannot be wrested away from a people defending their homeland, territory and flag with plans made haphazardly by others.

As such, the people will decide. And we said, sure, let the people decide. We had no other alternative, as this demand was constantly placed before us. They insisted that the people should decide. Why have they circumvented us by asserting that the people should decide? Because they entertain the belief that our people are hungry, thirsty, fallen prostrate, and are begging Europe to save them and would thus, in mutual embrace with the Greek Cypriots, eagerly say yes [at the referendum] so as to savor Europe's carrot without thinking or inquiring about their status, rights, and future. This is what they think, this is how they have assessed the situation, this is what they have been made to believe in.

So, what will our people say? We too are curious. But we trust our people. God willing, they will act by seeing the realities. We all together will see the result. There is no benefit in saying anything more on this issue for now. As such, I again turn to the people and tell them: Your fate is in your hands. If despite the lack of the desired amendments you still say "yes" at the referendum, you would be accepting to become a minority in a Greek Cypriot republic. The result would be your exodus from the island soon afterwards. It would mean the elimination of Turkey's guarantorship."

[05] Denktas alleges that he possesses official documents regarding the derogations from the acquis communautaire

Denktas stated that he has official documents showing that the derogations, which the Turkish side is insisting on, will not be rendered permanent in the EU Primary Law.

He said: "Until yesterday, [on the subject of the derogations] the EU was saying: OK, it is fine. We will see. We will ensure conformity. Do not worry. Now that the EU was asked to fulfill the promise it made, it is saying: No, this cannot be done. It cannot be done at all on this matter. Maybe, it can be done temporarily on certain other issues. This EU stand created disappointment, and naturally it upset many assessments."

Recalling that the last word on the Annan Plan will be said by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Denktas called on the Turkish Cypriots: "If this program does not change, if this Annan Plan is not changed, you must say no on the day of the referendum, so that all these unpleasant aspects and all these injustices can be eliminated in a new agreement and in new negotiations. Otherwise, we will be condemned. Consequently, the decision is in your hands. It is no longer in our hands."

Denktas also responded as follows to Verheugen's remarks to the effect that he no longer represents a great majority of his people:

"You should not take Verheugen seriously. He is a bureaucrat who has reached the end of his term. He is a person who has shown bias in favor of the Greek Cypriots in the Cyprus issue. He has always viewed me as an obstacle to the Turks' accession to the EU."

[06] Further statements by Denktas. He alleges that Talat and Serdar Denktas represent the so-called TRNC

''Papadopoulos had asked me whom I would authorize in the quartet conference. He asked me whether I would give the authorization to the `TRNC´ prime minister or deputy prime minister. I did not use any titles when I told him people who would represent the `TRNC´ in the four-party conference. I told him that `His Excellency´ Mehmet Ali Talat and `His Excellency´ Serdar Denktas would represent `TRNC´ and he was satisfied. (United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus) Alvaro de Soto also accepted my decision. I wrote a letter to the Secretary-General about this issue. The Greek Cypriot side and everybody knew about all these issues before going to Switzerland to attend the four-party meeting. They brought the issue onto the agenda in Switzerland and this is not good will,'' Denktas said.

Mr Denktas also stated that Mr Alvaro de Soto told the Greek Cypriots that ''they wanted to escape from the negotiations and they were trying to find a pretext.''

''I am also thinking and saying the same,'' Denktas said.

Denktas defined the stance of the Greek Cypriots as a tactic and went on saying: ''When the Greek Foreign Minister (Petros Moliviatis) came to Switzerland, he immediately said that the two sides in Cyprus should discuss the issue between themselves and Turkey and Greece would take up the issue between themselves and he also said that they did not come to Switzerland for the quartet conference. And, thus Greece took a backward step. I can say that Greece also did what was necessary to end this conference.''

I think that this phase of negotiations has also ended. I think that they will say that the Secretary-General should do what is necessary and the two sides should go for simultaneous referenda. In fact, we think that referenda can't be held without undergoing these phases of negotiations. I hope this issue will be settled,'' Denktas said.

When he was recalled about the Greek Cypriot news that Mr Alvaro de Soto presented his (Denktas') proposals to Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos in Switzerland and proposed to start give-and-take process over those proposals and that Papadopoulos rejected them, Denktas said that he did not want to talk about those news since he did not know it in detail.

Alleging that the Greek Cypriots did not go to Switzerland with good will, Denktas said: ''If they had been good-willed, the conference would have already started. Parties were expected to discuss deficiencies. Turkish and Greek delegations were expected to help them. This means that the Greek Cypriot side ended the process without starting it today. Tomorrow, the foreign ministers of Turkey and Greece will go to Brussels. They will stay in Brussels for two days and return to Switzerland on March 27. Thus, we will come to the end of the timetable of the four-party conference.''

Denktas said that he spoke to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.

''Erdogan asked me whether or not I would go to Switzerland. I told him that I would not go there and explained the reasons of my decision not to join the quartet conference. He told me why I should go to Switzerland. Yesterday, I wanted to tell him that I would not go to Switzerland but I couldn't contact him. I hope I will talk to him tomorrow,'' Denktas added.

[07] Serdar Denktas´ interview explains the Turkish side´s intransigence and blackmail attitude regarding the territories occupied by the Turkish troops

"In an interview with Guven Arikli, ORTADOGU's correspondent in Cyprus, Serdar Denktas, `Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the TRNC´ who has flown to Geneva to attend the next round of the talks on the Cyprus question, said: "Nobody should worry. The `President´ will not be present in the talks in Switzerland, but we will be. We are committed to safeguarding the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey's rights. If they want the Annan plan to be endorsed in the anticipated referendum, they must include all our indispensable demands in that plan."

Commenting on the reasons behind Rauf Denktas' decision not to go to Switzerland, Serdar Denktas noted: "The President is a statesman with 50 years of experience. He is capable of predicting the next five or six moves in a chess game. Nobody could know the consequences of his moves better than him. Therefore, he came to the conclusion that he would have more room for maneuver if he stayed in Nicosia. In fact, we will have frequent consultations with him during the process. I and the Prime Minister will have the same powers in terms of conducting the negotiations there. Nobody should expect me to approve a decision that could be to the detriment of the Turkish Cypriots. I support my father's indispensable conditions."

It will be determined in Switzerland

In response to a question whether the Democratic Party could withdraw from the government during the referendum phase, Denktas said: "It is not the right time to put such questions. We will first assess the outcome of the four-party summit in Switzerland and the picture Annan will subsequently put before us. If that picture falls short of our expectations and demands, we will take proper action."

We could witness events similar to those in Kosovo

Serdar Denktas noted that the present text of the Annan plan was totally unacceptable, adding that they would not even want to consider keeping the plan on the negotiating table or presenting it to the Turkish Cypriots for endorsement. He commented: "We and the Greek Cypriots know each other. We know for sure that we cannot live together. A plan forcing us to live together with them would immediately spark off incidents similar to those witnessed in Palestine or Kosovo. Nobody, however, has even been injured in the past 30 years during which we lived side by side. This is the only way to achieve peace. In addition, we could not accept a plan that would force a third of our people to leave their homes or lead to migration of half of them. We would not even discuss our political equality, sovereignty and especially Turkey's role as an effective guarantor. Aside from those points, the plan's provisions concerning property should absolutely be revised. Putting an agreement that would deprive the Turkish Cypriots of their property before us would not be reasonable at all."

Is there a map drawing exercise under way?

Replying to our question whether there were ongoing negotiations on territorial concessions and maps, Denktas said: "Of course we have drawn up alternative maps, some of them in collaboration with the military and civil authorities in Turkey. The issue of maps, however, should be the last item to be debated at the negotiating table. If we do not receive a satisfactory response to our indispensable demands, we would never put forward or debate any map during the negotiations."

[08] Denktas attacks the UN over rumours

Although according to the New York agreement reached with the participation of Denktas, he should now be in Switzerland working for a solution to the problems created in Cyprus by the Turkish invasion of 1974, he turned down calls by everybody interested in the solution to attend the talks and is making statements as if he is the leader of this planet.

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (24.03.04) Mr Rauf Denktas reacted strongly to reports that the cell phones of the negotiation teams in Switzerland will be blocked and added: "This is an unacceptable pressure. It is dishonorable to accept the outcome of such pressure."

In reply to reporters' questions on the issue, Denktas said: "If it is true, there cannot be an outrage, pressure, and disgrace worse than that. This is an unacceptable pressure. It is dishonorable to accept the result of such pressure."

In reply to another question, Denktas said that the contacts with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is continuing.

He was speaking after addressing the memorial ceremony of Osman Orek, a Turkish Cypriot with whom Mr Denktas started the struggle to destroy the Republic of Cyprus in 1963.

Illegal Bayrak television, which was founded by Denktas to wage the struggle against the Republic of Cyprus in the 1960´s, broadcast the following on 24.03.04:

President Rauf Denktas has reiterated that he is not hopeful about the amendments to be made in favor of the Turkish Cypriot side at the summit to begin in Lucerne today. He noted that at the talks held on the Cyprus issue, the first, second, and third Annan plans were brought to the negotiating table but that not even a single Turkish Cypriot request was accepted. Denktas continued: Whether we reach an agreement or not, the whole game is about holding a referendum after the Secretary- General has filled in the points of disagreement without translating them for Turkey or informing the people. He added that despite all this he has confidence in the negotiating delegation and that he believes that they will struggle to safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

At a ceremony held to commemorate former Prime Minister Osman Orek, Denktas made an assessment regarding the Cyprus summit to begin in Switzerland today.

Addressing the ceremony, Denktas called on the delegation representing the Turkish Cypriot people in the second phase of the Cyprus talks expected to begin in Switzerland today to adopt a determined stand in safeguarding the rights of the people. He added, however, that he is not very hopeful about a change in the results.

"Many points have been kept secret. Our friends have gone there aware of this fact. I cannot know what they will bring back. I did not go there, because I can see that they cannot bring anything back. I can see that everything will be submitted to a referendum. I am looking at how close De Soto and the UN Secretary-General can come to our amendments, and I am not hopeful. I hope to be proven wrong. This is my wish. I want to be proven wrong. I want them to come back with a good agreement. I want Dr. Kucuk, our martyrs, and Osman Orek not to turn in their graves. I do not want to see my people being forced to migrate and accusing one another in confusion not knowing where to go and what to do. I am praying for this. I hope that they will come back with good results. Nowhere in the world have we witnessed people running about enthusiastically on the path to destroying their state. No one is complaining about not having food or water. Many are complaining about unemployment and the administration. Nowhere in the world have we seen a people destroying their state because they have complaints about their state. You are honorable people who have created a state at the expense of martyrs.

Osman, they want to separate us from Turkey. They want us to see that the Turkish troops withdraw from the island never to come back again. They want to eliminate Turkey's right to intervene as a guarantor state. They envisage the settlement of some tens of thousands of Greek Cypriots among us, rendering close to half of our people refugees, and ruining us by dragging individual property exchange claims for years. Annan is an honorable person. He is one of the best UN Secretary-Generals ever. He did not know about this injustice and this imbalance his plan was to inflict upon the Turkish Cypriot people. Those who have kept on telling him that it is a good plan and that it will be accepted have collaborated with the Greek Cypriots.

Do not be angry with me for giving you this bitter news on the anniversary of your death. I am telling you the realities. You waged your struggle in the knowledge of these realities. I want my people to raise their heads in the knowledge of these realities, to deserve their martyrs, and to struggle for a good and lasting peace without renouncing their rights. You know what you want better than I do.

Following my remarks to De Soto the other day, a member of the Greek Cypriot delegation came to me and said: You told the truth, you are right. What were my remarks to De Soto? It was what I told you a while ago. Foreigners sitting outside with their eyes closed to the realities of the island have come up with a plan. In an act that does not befit their goodwill mission, they are now telling us that we have no alternative but to accept it by force and through international pressure. We will together give our reply as to whether we have an alternative or not at the referendum depending on the results they will bring us.

I, as a person who is familiar with the pain one experiences at such meetings, wish them strength and success. I believe that Osman Orek is telling us the same thing from where he is. He is saying: Success my brothers, stand erect, safeguard our rights."

[09] Turkey understands goodwill to mean Turkish military presence in Cyprus for ever but with reduced numbers

"The four-way summit that will take place with the participation of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides as well as with Turkey and Greece under UN auspices in order to find a settlement to the Cyprus problem begins today in Buergenstock in Switzerland. Ankara, which will attend the meetings expected to last a week, is going to expect a guarantee at the EU summit to be held in Brussels while the Swiss summit is on to the effect that "the European courts will abide any agreement that emerges".

The meetings will begin with the participation of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Greece's Foreign Minister Petros Molivyatis, and will continue over 29-31 March at prime minister level. If no agreement can be reached in Switzerland Annan will put the new plan, which he will prepare by taking into account the views of all sides, to referendum.

Ankara two steps behind

At Buergenstock, which will form phase three of the Cyprus talks about which Prime Minister Erdogan had said, "We will always be one step ahead," Turkey will be behind due to two important decisions taken by Rauf Denktas.

Despite Denktas' decision not to go to Switzerland firstly Greece's Prime Minister Karamanlis and then Papadopoulos decided to go to Buergenstock. Furthermore, Denktas has not submitted to the UN the Turkish component state's constitution, which needs to be handed over to the UN, despite its being ready.

Ankara will struggle at the talks to have the following four demands accepted:

1. No breach of agreement: Prevention of the derogations introduced over the return of Greek Cypriots to the Turkish region, their political rights, and property exchange from being breached by the European judicial organs.

2. Bizonality: Turkey wants the number of Greek Cypriots allowed to return to the Turkish component state to be reduced, and for all 24 seats reserved for the Turkish component state at the common state senate to be filled by Turks.

3. Turkish military presence: Turkey wants its military presence to continue even after EU membership albeit with reduced numbers.

4. Mainland Turks: Turkey is going to ask for watertight guarantees from the UN that those who will be displaced as a result of the Swiss talks will not be disturbed."

[10] Turkish University Rector calls on the negotiators in Switzerland not to make concessions from the occupation of Cyprus because the Turkish army can occupy Greece too. He has been demonstrating to divide Cyprus for 50 years

Istanbul University Rector Kemal Alemdaroglu was speaking at the gala screening of a documentary on the battle of Canakkale, when he said: I am addressing the officials who are now in Switzerland: if necessary, we can lose 135,000 martyrs and take Greece as well.

There were retired generals who applauded Alemdaroglu after he said that.

The gala screening of the documentary directed by Kursat Kizbaz, a student at the Istanbul University Communications School, was attended by academics and students as well as retired generals. Cyprus was on the agenda of Rector Alemdaroglu when he addressed the meeting.

He said: "As a person who has been demonstrating for 50 years in the streets, chanting the slogans "either partition or death" and "Cyprus is our homeland, we will never give it away," and as the rector of Istanbul University today, I address our officials in Switzerland very openly: Do not dare give a piece of Cyprus away. Do not dare make concessions in Cyprus that will be against our interests, against the interests of the Turkish nation. In addition to the 35,000 martyrs that we lost in the southeast, we are ready to lose another 35,000, and even 135,000 to take Cyprus, and Greece. My respects to you all."

[11] Denktas has signed the so-called referendum law

The said law has been approved by the so-called TRNC Assembly on 22.03.04 and Denktas has sent it on 23.03.04 to the so-called government printing office for publication.

BIRLIK reports that this action by Denktas for not waiting the result of the Court case was criticized by the political circles.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] More signs that Denktas´ intransigence and Ankara´s "goodwill" are part of the good old Turkish game

"The attitude of Rauf Denktas has in a surprising way begun to strengthen Ankara in the bargaining process. Some of my readers might find this to be incorrect, but I think this fact is becoming clearer day by day.

Denktas has always angered the government with his attitude. Since the Copenhagen summit, relations between Erdogan and Denktas have never been warm. They've always shown mutual respect to each other, but they've never viewed the Annan plan from the same point of view.

Now we are progressing towards the final phase of the talks. Denktas derailed government plans by refusing to go to Switzerland. Both the prime minister and foreign minister were uneasy with this decision. Despite the strain with Denktas, the government has never called on Denktas to withdraw from the negotiations because the government still wants to sign an agreement on Cyprus with Denktas's approval, not despite his opposition.

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat also wants the approval of Denktas. He doesn't want to sign an agreement on his own. Serdar Denktas claims that if his father withdraws from talks, he will drop the government.

The reason this huge importance has been attached to Denktas is the possible problems that will arise after reaching an agreement. Problems will most certainly emerge even if the Turkish side receives the most advantageous outcome at the end. But Denktas's role would ease the work of both the Turkish Cypriot government and Ankara while convincing the people and will also help reduce criticism.

Denktas is also aware of this fact; therefore, he can easily announce his points of opposition and put pressure on Ankara.

Denktas' power and his ability to influence people on the referendum have put Ankara in a difficult situation. If Ankara cannot meet expectations on the "sine qua nons," it will be very hard to obtain a positive outcome from the referendum in Turkish Cyprus.

It is not yet clear if U.N. officials are aware of this situation. In addition, it is also unknown whether Washington and Brussels, which promised to lend support to Ankara on meeting expectations, will keep their word.

In short, the picture is blurred on the way to Switzerland. Everyone is hiding their cards, and I think it will continue to be like that until the very last minute. In such an atmosphere, Denktas's opposition is strengthening Ankara's hand. Ankara should use this situation wisely."

[13] Columnist in RADIKAL quotes study prepared by Thomas Miller to justify the US stand in Switzerland

"During the administration of [former US President] Bill Clinton, an analytic report was ordered from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which is subordinate to the Pentagon and the Defense Department. The purpose was to be able to forecast the security threats that would confront the United States up until the year 2020. The report, bearing the classification "secret", was presented to Defense Secretary William Cohen and President Clinton in July of 1999. The 160-page report formed the foundation of the US security policies first under Clinton, and then under his successor George [W.] Bush. Indeed, some members of the team of experts that took part in the preparation of the report are figures close to [current] Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and have taken up important positions in the Bush administration. It is claimed that the United States' Ambassador in Athens, Thomas Miller, is one of these individuals.

This claim is included in the newly released book Rumsfeld's War, by the American journalist Rowan Scarborough, who first revealed some portions of the Pentagon report. To tell the truth, Scarborough did not make sufficient use of the documents, which clearly were given to him by Rumsfeld's office, but he did perform an important function: He included some pages from the documents in the appendices to his book. In fact, this "appendices" section, insufficiently exploited but worth its weight in gold, constitutes a third of the volume of the book.

To provide verbatim the sections dealing with Turkey and Greece will be useful in understanding the Cyprus negotiations that are currently underway in Switzerland, as well as why Turkey's membership in the European Union is so strongly supported by the United States, in addition to why Turkey's not becoming estranged from the Western world is jointly desired by the United States, the EU, and Russia (even if, at first glance, there might appear to be contradictions in this).

From pages 62 and 63 of the book:

- Athens and Ankara continue to be unable to resolve the practical and political problems in the Aegean dispute that underlies the tension between the two countries. Both prefer to avoid war. Even so, a crisis involving issues of sovereignty in the Aegean could erupt on Cyprus and, depending on provocations and miscalculations, could lead to an unwanted conflict.

- In the event of hostilities, Turkey and Greece expect and plan for a short (3 to 4 days) conflict, and then for the international community to step in and put a stop to the war. Such a conflict would most probably be initiated in the Aegean with an air and naval attack by Turkey against a small Greek island, and a limited land operation in Thrace. A clash of this sort beginning in the Aegean would not necessarily spread to Cyprus, but this possibility should not be discounted. Even though Greece has strengthened its air and naval defense capabilities, Turkey holds the advantage both quantitatively and qualitatively. Military acquisitions by Greece in the years ahead will diminish the likelihood of a disastrous defeat by Turkey.

At this point, the Pentagon provides the following warning: "Should Greece and Turkey enter into a conflict, the biggest miscalculation that both sides would make could be the speed at which the international community would intervene. The Greek and Turkish perceptions are based on this conflict lasting only a short while, due to outside intervention. Yet indecision by the other members of NATO in terms of becoming involved would entail the likelihood of this conflict continuing."

The report, which in a sense warns that "There should not be so much confidence in NATO", continues as follows:

In addition to these elements, Turkey has close relations with both the United States and Israel. Iran could gradually turn into a more important rival of Turkey in the Middle East. Their conflicting interests in Central Asia and the Caucasus, and the fact that Turkey is a secular Muslim state, are reasons for Ankara to fall afoul of Iran. For Turkey to solve its problems with Iraq and Iran through force could quickly bring the country into conflict with US interests.

The report also draws attention to the rise of Islamist political movements in Turkey. Within this context, it implies that the military, which leads the secularist forces, must overcome its estrangement from civilian society in order for the contradictions in society not to become deeper and for urban terrorism not to spread.

Recent history is marked by things not having worked out the way they were expected to. This political report is likewise an estimate. We will see in the future just how accurate it will prove to be. But it is true that the understanding has become more widespread that a Turkey that is a member of the EU will increase its importance and its strength in the region as a country that, in the expression of the Russians, "is stable and predictable". Does Turkey's strength, one wonders, lie in its threat to use its fists at every opportunity, or in its promise not to use its fists? The answer to this is of strategic importance."

/SK

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