Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-04-15

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Sezer stressed that the derogations which are included in the Annan Plan should be incorporated in the EU primary law to stay in effect after Cyprus's accession to the EU.

[02] Thousands Turkish Cypriots demonstrated in favour of a "yes" vote at the referendum.

[03] Talat stated that the referenda can be postponed only if Cyprus' EU accession is postponed.

[04] Gul stated that Turkey informed the UN, the USA and the EU that it does not support the idea of postponing the referendum.

[05] Turkish State Minister stated that there is a need of $3,8 billion for the relocation of the Turkish Cypriots.

[06] A new public opinion poll has been conducted in the occupied areas.

[07] The president of Azerbaijan stated that his country will spearhead in the recognition process of the pseudostate in case the Greek Cypriot side votes "no" and the Turkish Cypriot side vote "yes" at the referenda.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist calls on the Turkish Cypriots and to vote "no" in the referendum.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Sezer stressed that the derogations which are included in the Annan Plan should be incorporated in the EU primary law to stay in effect after Cyprus's accession to the EU

"In the final version of Annan's plan that is going to be put to referenda, several derogations have been imposed on Greek Cypriots' rights to travel to the Turkish Cypriot side, settle and purchase properties in the Turkish Cypriot side, which are all accepted in favour of the Turkish Cypriot side. However, these derogations are not for an indefinite period of time" he said. Mr Sezer also added that "since derogations could automatically end at the end of the processes envisaged in the plan, there is also a possibility of their annulment by the European Union Court of Justice or European Court of Human Rights due to their incongruity to European Union basic law or rules of the European Convention on Human Rights as a result of Greek Cypriots' individual applications after accession of the Cyprus Republic to the European Union after both sides vote 'yes' in referenda".

Mr Sezer also said that in case the Plan is accepted by both sides, it would be appropriate to put the agreement into force after the derogations are approved by the parliaments of the EU member countries and become a part of the EU basic law. "Thus, the EU member countries will pass through a test whether or not they sincerely want a solution of the Cyprus question", he stated.

Mr Sezer stated that there are still some unsatisfactory elements in the plan for the Turkish side. "However, we should discuss whether or not acceptance of a result under all situations and conditions will conform to the concept of national interests. Also, the possibility of the corrosion of the acquisitions through several international judicial systems or losing them completely in the course of time needs a serious examination," he said.

President Sezer finally said that "the statement released after the meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on January 23, stated that a consensus was reached on benefits and necessity of launching initiatives to revive the negotiation process in Cyprus. The NSC reiterated its determination to reach a fair solution based on the facts of the island through negotiations by taking the Annan Plan as a reference".

[02] Thousands Turkish Cypriots demonstrated in favour of a "yes" vote at the referendum

Political parties, labour unions, and nongovernmental organizations that make up the Platform gathered at 11:00 in the morning at Inonu Square in occupied Nicosia. Some of the unions went on strike in order to participate in the rally. The participants held blue and white balloons and the flag of the united Cyprus republic in their hands. Before the speeches a local band gave a concert.

The demonstrators chanted the slogan "peace cannot be prevented in Cyprus." They carried placards that read "yes to the Annan plan," "naturally yes," "yes will link us to the rest of the world", "everything for our children," and "Cyprus say yes and the world will be with you."

Ali Gulle, chairman of the Revolutionary Labour Unions Federation, spoke on behalf of the "This Country is Ours" Platform. He stressed that a solution based on the Annan plan must be reached in Cyprus, and promised that the Turkish Cypriots would continue to wage a struggle to ensure that a united Cyprus joins the EU. Gulle called on the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to say yes at the referendum. "Only saying yes is not enough for peace", he said, and urged all political forces on the island not to shun their historic responsibilities at this historic crossroads. "Grasp this honorable mission which history charges you with, and do whatever you can for a positive outcome at the referendum", he said.

[03] Talat stated that the referenda can be postponed only if Cyprus' EU accession is postponed

Mr Talat said that the growing tendency to say `no´ at the referendum in south Cyprus is the fault of the Greek Cypriot leaders and he emphasized that the continued isolation of the north as a result of the stand of the south is unacceptable.

"Certain circles are saying that AKEL's stand is caused by the people's general tendency. This is unacceptable for us, because it is unfortunately the Greek Cypriot leaders and politicians themselves who have guided the people toward this stand. We consider the Annan plan to be a great opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem, and the efforts to try to postpone the referendum on the plan are unacceptable for us", he said.

[04] Gul stated that Turkey informed the UN, the USA and the EU that it does not support the idea of postponing the referendum

Replying to reporters' questions in the parliament building Gul disclosed that last night [13 April], Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal telephoned UN, EU, and US officials and told them that Turkey is opposed to the idea of postponing the referenda. Mr Gul said: "Postponing the referendum to a date after 1 May would mean starting everything from scratch, and we are opposed to that. This issue must be concluded. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots should realize that there will not be such an opportunity again. Any agreement we reach will have our loyalty till the end. Nobody should worry about that. Of course, the Greek Cypriots should also be loyal to it. The Greek Cypriots should realize that this is not the best possible solution for us either."

[05] Turkish State Minister stated that there is a need of $3,8 billion for the relocation of the Turkish Cypriots

Pointing out that Turkey´s stand of providing financing to the "TRNC" will continue in the coming years as well, Sener said that additional costs should be met by the international community.

[06] A new public opinion poll has been conducted in the occupied areas

According to the results, 59.3 % of the 934 participants in the poll said that they would vote "yes" to the Annan Plan, whereas 28.1% said that they would reject the plan.

Taking into consideration the percentage of the people who have not decided yet, reports KIBRIS, the positive votes will be between 61% and 64 %.

According to the paper, 52.5 % of the participants in the poll said that when deciding they took into consideration the opinion of the Turkish government, whereas 33.5 % have been influenced by the views of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas. 27.8 % of the participants in the poll noted that they took into consideration the opinion of the civilian and military bureaucracy in Turkey, 38.2 % the opinion of Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, 13.1 % the opinion of Mr Mustafa Akinci and the 20 % the views of Mr Serdar Denktas and Mr Dervis Eroglu.

[07] The president of Azerbaijan stated that his country will spearhead in the recognition process of the pseudostate in case the Greek Cypriot side votes "no" and the Turkish Cypriot side vote "yes" at the referenda

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist calls on the Turkish Cypriots and AKEL to vote "no" in the referendum

Hasan Tahsin says: "Our knowledge as a community is well known. We are yet to reach to the level appropriate to the needs of the century. This is clear from our actions.

If the Southern Cypriots, who are freer than we, do not say `no´ to this meanness then it is obvious that we are finished.

Most probably AKEL's decision will be known when you are reading this article '

AKEL will either say `no´ to this disreputableness or like our side will bow to it .It will give up and it will hand over the South Cyprus.

Anyhow my dear readers those who know me they know well that I will not say `yes´ to:

1. The continuation of the British Bases.

2. The guarantorship of Turkey, Greece and Britain because they are the responsible for those incidents that we are experiencing in Cyprus for the last 40 years.

3. The document that tramples upon the Human Rights, UN Principles and the Geneva Conventions.

4. A document that will make the Cypriots to fight each other again.

5. A 'referendum' which will be held in an occupied area and under occupation forces auspices that aims at blaming the Cypriots for the injustice done in the past.

6. To the allegation that if we say 'yes' we will clear the obstacles before the Turkish Cypriot Community.

The Turkish Cypriots even if they say 'no' they will become EU citizens as of May. Instead of trying to erect obstacles before the `no´ I wish we could contribute to a 'no'.

I hope our efforts would not be enough to preclude this, so that we pave the way before our youth.

It is up to you whether to say 'yes' or 'no' or to go to the ballot box to cast your vote".

/SK

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