Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-04-16

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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 addressed the Turkish Assembly. He said that the Annan Plan is diabolical and called on the Turkish Cypriots to say "no" in the referendum.

[02] Thirty years after it destroyed Cyprus, Turkey is preparing the plans of how to punish the Greek Cypriots if they say "no" in a democratic referendum.

[03] Serdar Denktas stated that the Turkish Cypriots should not deceive themselves saying that the pseudostate will be recognized in case the Turkish Cypriots say "yes" and the Greek Cypriots say "no" in the referenda.

[04] President Sezer warns about future dangers for Turkey from the Greater Middle East Initiative.

[05] Turkey´s leading human rights group disagrees with EU decision on KONGRA-GEL.

[06] Turkey´s Civil Servants Trade Union protested against the USA for the occupation of Iraq.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnist admits that the changes in the Annan plan have been made only in favour of the Turkish side.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas addressed the Turkish Assembly. He said that the Annan Plan is diabolical and called on the Turkish Cypriots to say "no" in the referendum

Addressing the Turkish Parliament, Mr Denktas congratulated Turkey on the 84th anniversary of the establishment of its Parliament, to be celebrated on April 23, and said: "Coincidentally, one day later than this important anniversary, there will be a referendum in Cyprus on the fate of my 'people'. If outside pressure and strong advice from Turkey and the Turkish media yield a result, there won't be a Turkish Cypriot state. I am here today to prevent that from happening, to keep the 'TRNC' alive".

Denktas complained that though the ruling Justice and Development Party (JDP) government was supportive of it, the U.N. plan did not conform either to the decisions adopted by the Turkish legislature or with those of the National Security Council (NSC) on the "fundamentals" of a Cyprus settlement. Complaining about the Cyprus policy of the JDP government to the Turkish deputies, Denktas said he expected the Turkish Parliament to live up to its decisions on the Cyprus issue, the most recent of which was adopted last year on March 6.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was not present in Parliament as Denktas delivered his speech. Only Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and five ministers were sitting on government benches, while almost the full chorus of parliamentarians were present.

Denktas said the plan "which was prepared without anyone knowing exactly what it is, in a diabolical way" was aimed at cutting Turkey out of Cyprus, and, if approved in the scheduled twin referenda on the island, would pave the way to the extermination of the Turkish Cypriot people from the island.

He charged that if the plan were to be implemented, the Greek Cypriot side would achieve its target of union with Greece (enosis) and that in 19 years' time all the benefits the Turkish Cypriot people appear to have gained with the document would vanish into thin air, converting the island into a place under total Greek hegemony.

He said the plan was not a negotiated compromise but rather an imposition by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and said that the plan envisages the establishment of a loose confederation of two ethnic "founding states."

Denktas blasted on Thursday that the "founding state" reference to the Turkish Cypriot side was a "deception" because in reality the plan was converting the 'TRNC' into nothing more than a province.

He said the U.N. plan was nothing more than an attempt to legitimize the Greek Cypriot EU accession, which was contrary to the 1960 treaties that prohibit the island from joining in part or in full any economic, political or military grouping unless both Turkey and Greece are already members.

Denktas said rejection of the plan by both sides on April 24 could open the way to a more balanced and lasting settlement in conformity with Turkish parliamentary decisions on the Cyprus issue. He said it was wrong to support the settlement plan on the assumption that if a Cyprus deal was reached, Turkey would make headway in its EU membership or would get a date to start accession talks.

He warned that if through "unbearable pressure" Cyprus was to be separated from Turkey, he was afraid that Turkey "through the same methods" would be faced with further demands from the EU and accused the European bloc of not being honest in its approaches to Turkey. "I will vote against the plan because it has taken over responsibility [of reaching a settlement] from the leaders and gave it to the peoples," he said.

Denktas, listing his points of objection as:

* The plan separates the Turkish Cypriots from their motherland, Turkey, and provides the Greek Cypriots a way to establish their rule all over the island in a very short period of time;

* It disrupts the principle of bi-zonality and under EU norms places the Turkish Cypriots into a complicated administrative and political framework from which it is not clear where they will be taken;

* The plan fails to adequately address property issues and transforms the problem into unmanageable confusion for individuals, providing a basis for future confrontations;

* The plan leaves an open door to the total dismantling over time of the guarantee system provided to the Turkish Cypriots with the 1960 treaties;

* It makes half of our people refugees and leaves no territory with us for their rehabilitation. The plan calls for the rehabilitation of refugees with apartment flats, the cost of which would be paid by the refugees themselves;

* The plan approaches the Cyprus problem through the eyes of the Greek Cypriots and lacks the courage to consider Turkish Cypriots as "one of the two peoples" of the island who had equal sovereignty;

* I say "no" because the rights that appear to have been given to us with the plan will all be invalidated by EU norms because the plan does not include permanent derogations;

* I say "no" because the EU has expressed its disinterest in expanding the treaty of accession it signed with the Greek Cypriot side, under their fake government of Cyprus title, in a manner the primary law status will cover us as well;

* I will say "no" because I don't know how the 9,000-page document the Greek Cypriots prepared together with the EU will affect our future because this plan even includes a constitution [for the Turkish Cypriot constituent state] that was not approved by our Parliament but will mortgage our future;

* I will say "no" because the method applied is an insult to our people; it is a mega-deception to achieve their own interests on Cyprus by totally ignoring the existence of our people, its Parliament and authorities;

* I will say "no" because this plan will deprive us of Turkey, Anatolia, forever.

"It is a shame to try to impose on a people a 9,000-page document, the contents of which are not known," Denktas said, adding that even on Thursday morning as he was leaving for the airport to travel to Turkey, U.N. officials on Cyprus tried to present him some papers which they said were on some new "corrections" and "updates" in the plan. "This is a shameful act," he said, disclosing that he had refused to accept the papers.

[02] Thirty years after it destroyed Cyprus, Turkey is preparing the plans of how to punish the Greek Cypriots if they say "no" in a democratic referendum

KIBRIS reports that Ankara's expectation was conveyed to the EU member countries' ambassadors to Turkey yesterday by Turkish Foreign Ministry under Secretary Ugur Ziyal.

The Ambassadors who were summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry were told by Ugur Ziyal that the demand to postpone the referendum at the Greek Cypriot side is "meaningless".

During the meeting, reports the paper, the Turkish side demanded that in case the Greek Cypriot side says 'no' in the referendum then the EU should make a proper assessment and clearly point out which side is "guilty of this and which side is not". The Turkish side further demanded that the Greek Cypriot side should be told that in case of a 'no' there is a "price to be paid".

Diplomatic sources claim that Turkey did not put forward a clear proposal as regards the 'price' that the Greek side would pay. The paper reports that the 'price' spectrum ranges from recognition of the pseudo-state to economic assistance to the occupied area.

According to the diplomatic sources, reports the paper, in case a 'no' is the outcome of the referendum then the 'parameters of the game' after 1 May will be totally different.

[03] Serdar Denktas stated that the Turkish Cypriots should not deceive themselves saying that the pseudostate will be recognised in case the Turkish Cypriots say "yes" and the Greek Cypriots say "no" in the referenda

Speaking yesterday in occupied Nicosia, Serdar Denktas stated that the Turkish Cypriots must not deceive themselves saying that this issue depends on the referenda results. He said that as long as the decisions of the United Nations as regards this issue are on the agenda and as long there is no sign of changing them, there is no such a thing on the table. He said that the only thing that can happen, in case such a result came out of the referenda, is the lifting of the embargo, but as he said, even this is not certain.

Mr Serdar Denktas said that the DP will not accept the postponing of the referenda. Asked if the party will accept the referenda to be postponed only for the Greek side for two months, he said that the Annan Plan is clear regarding this issue and according to it the referenda must be conducted at the same time. Asked if they will accept the postponing of the referenda in case Cyprus' accession to the EU will be postponed as well, Serdar Denktas stated that in this case the so-called government and the "president" of the pseudostate will evaluate the situation with the Turkish government. "But the Greek side will never accept this", he said.

Mr Serdar Denktas also stated that his party will decide as regards the position DP will hold on the referendum during the party's meeting tomorrow evening and said that the decision will be announced at 10:30 in the evening.

[04] President Sezer warns about future dangers for Turkey from the Greater Middle East Initiative

"Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul responded on Thursday to presidential remarks that a government approval for U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to fill in gaps in his reunification plan for Turkish and Greek sides of Cyprus was not in line with what Turkey's National Security Council (NSC) had decided. Gul said the authority to decide on the matter rested with the government.

"It is clear how decision-making mechanisms operate in democratic countries," Gul told reporters in Ankara, when asked to comment on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's remarks on Wednesday that a NSC meeting on January 23 had not agreed that Annan would be authorized to fill in gaps in his Cyprus reunification plan if the parties concerned failed to reach a compromise.

In talks involving the UN, Turkey, Greece and the two Cypriot sides in New York earlier this year, the parties agreed on the procedure of reunification talks. Under the agreed formula, Cypriot sides first met in the island and then further round of talks involving Turkey and Greece as well as Cypriot parties were held in Burgenstock, Switzerland. On the last day of Burgenstock talks, Annan filled in the gaps that remained after talks and announced that twin referenda in both sections of Cyprus on the plan that he gave final shape would be held in late April.

Sezer, who so far has remained silent on the Cyprus reunification efforts, told a gathering of military officials in Istanbul that he had learned the Annan's involvement and referendum clause from minutes of a meeting between Turkish officials and Annan in Davos on January 24. "Sure, everything, minutes, records of all meetings are submitted to the president. But you all know how the decision-making mechanism works in democratic countries. This is what I want to say," Gul said in Thursday remarks.

Subtitle: Sezer insists on EU guarantees

In his address at a conference hosted by the War Academies of the Turkish military, Sezer insisted that terms of the reunification plan, if approved in April 24 referenda, should be made part of the primary EU law so that they will not be subject to legal challenge at European courts in the future.

The president also suggested that the plan be put into implementation only after the plan is ratified in national Parliaments of the EU countries, a process that will make the deal part of the union's primary law.

"In this way, the EU countries will show if they sincerely want a settlement in Cyprus or not," he said.

Subtitle: Greater Middle East dangers

Sezer underlined the importance of building democracy in Middle Eastern countries, but warned of the possible dangers of the Greater Middle East Initiative that would appear come out as a result of implementing the wrong methods in the region.

"If implementing wrong methods within this Initiative causes uneasiness and instability in the region, we will face new risks that will also influence our country," said Sezer.

He also noted that it would be unacceptable "to make Turkey endorse certain models under such names as 'moderate Islam'."

"Turkey cannot be among the target countries of the Initiative. If there are people opposing this view, I advise them to change their minds. It is unacceptable to characterize secular Turkey as an "Islamic Republic" or making Turkey endorse models like "moderate Islam," he said."

[05] Turkey´s leading human rights group disagrees with EU decision on KONGRA-GEL

"Turkey's leading human rights group, the Human Rights Association (IHD), has appealed to the European Union to revise its recent decision to designate Kurdish KONGRA-GEL group as a terrorist organization, IHD officials said on Thursday.

KADEK describes itself as a group that was established to pursue a non-violent policy for resolution of Turkey's "Kurdish issue," contrary to its predecessors the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress (KADEK).

Former deputy Leyla Zana, imprisoned for having aledged links to the PKK and whose re-trial has been a high-profile case closely followed by the EU, has also appealed to the EU, demanding that KONGRA-GEL be removed from the terror list, news reports said.

Turkey, as well as the United States, dismissed that KONGRA-GEL was a new group and said it represented nothing but a mere name change on the part of the PKK/KADEK, immediately designating the new group as terrorists. The EU also followed and added the KONGRA-GEL to its terrorist groups' list after revising its list earlier in April.

"We think that the European Union's announcement of the organization named KONGRA-GEL as a terrorist organization and its decision to put the said organization on the list is a decision which does not serve peace ... on the contrary damages the relatively peaceful atmosphere in Turkey," the IHD said in a letter sent to Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, whose country holds rotating presidency of the EU.

The EU decision this month came as a reversal of an earlier policy, insisting that the group should first commit violence in order to be labeled as a terrorist organization. Turkey sees the new group as yet another step on the part of the PKK to evade legal sanctions.

"KONGRA-GEL has a former deputy as its chairman and declared in very clear terms that it would pursue a political, peaceful campaign," said IHD's Chairman Husnu Ondul to the Turkish Daily News. "It is not a mere name change, it represents a process and evolution of the group," he went on.

He said the EU's decision would make it more difficult for peace campaigners and encourage supporters of violence.

"The EU should pursue a policy encouraging disarmament and peace," he said.

The EU terrorist list, which includes individuals as well, was first adopted in December 2001, in wake of the terror attacks on Washington and New York, and is reviewed every six months.

Ondul said there was a dangerous global trend of banning freedoms everywhere in the world on the pretext of fighting against terrorism."

[06] Turkey´s Civil Servants Trade Union protested against the USA for the occupation of Iraq

"Civil Servants' Trade Union (Memur-Sen) staged a protest on Thursday in Ankara against the United States occupation in Iraq.

Memur-Sen Chairman Ahmet Aksu made a speech in Ankara's Abdi Ipekci Park.

"We are here to protest the killings by U.S.-led occupation forces in Iraq which are rising day by day and to display our support for the resistance of Iraqi people," said Aksu.

Aksu noted that the situation in Iraq has gone out of control adding that within the last three days, 650 civilians had lost their lives, being shot by Americans. "Within such an environment, how can they talk about bringing democracy, respect for human rights to the region ... The U.S. should accept defeat, Iraq is becoming a second Vietnam for the U.S. Americans should leave the region and the Iraqis should determine their fate themselves," said Aksu.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnist admits that the changes in the Annan plan have been made only in favour of the Turkish side

"A NO from the Greek Cypriot side will not clear (Turkey) of the responsibility for the occupation and at the same time a YES from the Turkish Cypriot side will not legalize this occupation. The fact that Turkey turned towards a solution does not give it the right to preserve its troops on the island for as long as it wishes.

Does the world consider that Cyprus is under Turkey's occupation? This fact will not be eliminated in case of a Greek Cypriot NO and a Turkish Cypriot YES. That is, no one will say to Turkey: 'You have behaved in good will, you wanted a solution, but the Greek Cypriots have rejected it. Therefore you may do whatever you want in Cyprus'.

A YES by the Turkish Cypriot side could not prevent the appeals to the European Court of Human Rights. '.

Will the most powerful trump-card of Gul, who said that he would begin a tour of the world for the recognition of the TRNC in case the Greek Cypriots say NO, be the YES of the Turkish Cypriot side? Will anyone not ask him: 'How many troops do you have in Cyprus'? On which legal ground will Gul ask the recognition of the TRNC? '

With the YES result in northern Cyprus Turkey will handle the situation for a period of time. It will go to the EU and say that it did whatever it could. However, will no one there ask Turkey why did it not reduce the number of its troops in the island?

We could not say that those who made this plan have succeeded because they forced the Greek Cypriot side to say NO and the Turkish Cypriot side to say YES. Both sides wanted changes in the Annan Plan. However, they have made the changes only in favour of the Turkish side. They turned towards one YES and one NO. It is as if they were mobilized to force the Greek Cypriot side to say NO. They both legalized the population brought from Turkey and had adopted the global exchange of properties and recognized Turkey's right to be a guarantor power and intervene unilaterally forever. As if this was not enough, they added these derogations in the whole issue. And now they turned to the Greek Cypriots and say: 'Say Yes, because if you do not we shall punish you'!

You are Turks. That is why you will say YES to this plan. And they are Greeks. That is why they will say NO. Those who consider themselves Cypriots above all, will have nothing to say! '"

/SK

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