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

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Mehmet Ali Talat after his meeting with the UN Secretary - General and before departing for the United States.

[02] KIBRISLI newspaper on the issue of US military bases in occupied Cyprus.

[03] Rauf Denktas says that Talat´s visit to the USA proves the existence of the pseudostate.

[04] Serdar Denktas criticizes Turkey´s policy on Cyprus.

[05] Akinci stated that it is possible that Cyprus will remain divided.

[06] Angolemli meets with the Spanish ambassador and asks establishment of the Turkish Cypriot constituent state provided for in the Annan Plan.

[07] The two resigned "deputies" of the Democratic Party stated that they will not form a new party.

[08] Turkish trailers faced bureaucratic difficulties.

[09] An ancient statue dated on the Roman period was discovered in occupied Ayios Theodoros village.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Songs have gone silent.

[11] Turkish communist supports that official recognition of the Cyprus Republic should be tied to Turkey's membership.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Mehmet Ali Talat after his meeting with the UN Secretary - General and before departing for the United States

In statements after the meeting, Mr Talat said that he informed the UN Secretary - General about the expectations of the Turkish Cypriots and asked Mr Annan "to exert efforts towards ending their isolation".

Mr Talat said that he saw that Mr Annan was very much interested in the measures, "which will end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot side after the referendum".

"No other community should have the authority to keep the Turkish Cypriots in isolation. This is what we tried to explain to the UN Secretary - General", Talat argued and supported that Mr Annan understood this.

Mr Talat claimed that only if the so-called embargoes on the occupation regime are lifted, the Greek Cypriots will vote in favour of a solution to the Cyprus problem in case of a new referendum and alleged, inter alia, the following: "'I informed the UN Secretary - General about our views on the unjust and wrong embargo and isolation which are applied on northern Cyprus. 'Direct flights to TRNC must begin, trade must be freely conducted and the conditions for holding international sport events must be created. That is, all the elements of the isolation must be lifted. 'Then the Greek Cypriots will see that their attitude was wrong and I think that then they will say 'yes' (to the solution). '".

Mr Talat noted also that he was not expecting soon an initiative towards the reunification of the island and said that we have to wait the report of Mr Annan to the Security Council.

Meanwhile, according to information acquired by the semi-official Anatolia News Agency (AA), the meeting of Mr Talat with Mr Annan, which lasted half an hour, "was very successful" for the Turkish side. Sources told the AA correspondent that the "message of Mr Talat have reached its destination", that the UN Secretary - General is closely concerned with the Turkish Cypriots and he looks at them with sympathy.

Meanwhile, Turkish TRT 2 state television (03.05.04) broadcast that in statements in Istanbul before departing for the United States, Mr Talat assessed the remarks made by Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus. Mr Talat said:

"The honorable Erdogan told the truth. This is the point we have reached in 40 years. The Greek Cypriot side has become a state recognized by the entire world in the name of the whole island. We are faced with a weird situation because our policies have not been able to finally secure a solution. At the very least, they have not been on the path to securing a solution. ' While it is experiencing the EU process, Turkey will, on the one hand, be facing the Greek Cypriot side under the name of the Republic of Cyprus in the Council of Europe and, on the other, it will have to establish relations with the Republic of Cyprus".

[02] KIBRISLI newspaper on the issue of US military bases in occupied Cyprus

The sources noted that the issue will be discussed during the visit of Mr Mehmet Ali Talat in Washington and at his meeting with the US Secretary of State, Mr Collin Powell. Mr Powell, continues the paper, is expected to make commitments to Mr Talat that the United States will indirectly recognize the occupation regime. The Americans, concludes KIBRISLI, will soon discuss this issue in Ankara as well.

[03] Rauf Denktas says that Talat´s visit to the USA proves the existence of the pseudostate

Replying to reporters' questions in the occupied part of Nicosia, Mr Denktas said that he hoped that Talat's visit to the Untied States is beneficial. Noting that he did not hold a meeting with Talat prior to his US visit, Denktas said: "Irrespective of the results, the two separate referenda that were held prove the existence of the `TRNC´ and its `people´. One should not take a step backward from this position."

[04] Serdar Denktas criticizes Turkey´s policy on Cyprus

Denktas, who participated in a conference organized jointly by the Eastern Mediterranean University and the Ari Movement under the title of "The Road Map of Cyprus in the Aftermath of 1 May 2004," said that the Cyprus problem has become a European problem. "The day they discover Turkey's weakness within the framework of the developments to occur in the six-to-seven month process ahead of us, then they will ask us to become an appendage to the Cyprus Republic. We should determine what we should do as of now in order not to be in that position."

Asking that Turkey extend a more effective support to ending the isolation imposed on the pseudostate, Serdar Denktas added: "If we say let Turkey realize its strength and let us keep silent and wait, then there is nothing anyone can do". Denktas argued that if the occupation regime loses this struggle, then the party that will really be losing out will be Turkey.

[05] Akinci stated that it is possible that Cyprus will remain divided

Mr Akinci drew the attention to the fact that the European Union has become a 25 member giant with over 450 million citizens and criticized the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas for forcing the Turkish Cypriots to be bystanders because of his political stance. He said that the Denktas´ attitude in Copenhagen and The Hague last year had "paved the way for the Greek Cypriot side to join the European Union representing the whole island".

[06] Angolemli meets with the Spanish ambassador and asks establishment of the Turkish Cypriot constituent state provided for in the Annan Plan

In statements after the meeting Mr Angolemli asked the establishment of the Turkish Cypriot constituent state provided for in the Annan Plan and the creation of a Turkish Cypriot "national council".

Mr Angolemli supported also that the entrance of the citizens of Turkey into occupied Cyprus by showing only their identity card must stop.

In his statements Mr Valdecasas wished that a solution to the Cyprus problem is soon reached and the will showed by the Turkish Cypriots at the referendum is satisfied.

[07] The two resigned "deputies" of the Democratic Party stated that they will not form a new party

As the paper writes Mr Ahmet Kasif and Mr Unal Ustel, issued a statement yesterday, under the name "Movement of Free Thought" explaining the aims of the new movement. According to the statement, they were forced to resign after they gave a warning letter. Mr Kasif and Mr Ustel support also that they decided to form the new movement following the will of the majority of the Turkish Cypriots and in order to contribute in the political life of occupied Cyprus In full cooperation with Turkey.

[08] Turkish trailers faced bureaucratic difficulties

The paper reports that as of 1 May, Hungary and Greece do not let the Turkish TIRs enter into Europe through their borders. The border officials of the two countries, reports HURRIYET, have told that on the Green Insurance Policies Cards prepared in Turkey, the name of the Republic of Cyprus has been marked as "invalid Country" and this has to be changed and Cyprus' name should be included in the Insurance policy since Cyprus as well is an EU member country.

The paper reports that the Hungarian and Greek authorities consider the Green Insurance Police Cards issued by Turkey null and void and demand that it should be rearranged and new Insurance Policies be issued. The same officials demand 95 Euro for issuing new policy valid for one month.

International Transporters Association of Turkey has asked Turkish Ministry of Transport to intervene and try to solve these anomalies.

[09] An ancient statue dated on the Roman period was discovered in occupied Ayios Theodoros village

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Songs have gone silent

"The songs too have gone silent. The bicommunal chorus has lost its twin. It has remained a single community. The Turkish Cypriot members of the chorus have withdrawn. They refused to sing together with the Greek Cypriot members in the EU celebrations.

They did not attend the ceremonies. It seems that they will never attend from now on until we also join the EU.

Did you see the point we have reached? Once upon a time, it was the [Rauf] Denktas regime that obstructed the singing of this chorus. There is no need for Denktas' obstruction now. They destroyed themselves. They practiced hara-kiri.

Would this be possible? Could the Greek Cypriot members of the chorus also do the same thing the Turkish Cypriot members did?

The "yes" voters held a meeting on the Turkish Cypriot side on the eve of the public referendum. Did the bicommunal chorus not sing songs at that meeting? Was it not something difficult for them too? Those who were saying "yes" in the Greek Cypriot sector were then declared "traitors." Even the church excommunicated them. The campaign of slander was dreadful. Even the children of those saying "yes" were being threatened with death in the schools. The following was written on the wall of the English School against a child: "We shall write this 'no' with your blood."

In their view, everyone who said "yes" was bought off with US dollars.

Despite this, the Greek Cypriot members of that chorus saw nothing wrong in coming to the "yes" meeting in the Turkish side to sing songs with the Turkish Cypriots. Why could the Turkish Cypriot members not show the same courage and courtesy that they showed? Or would it be that the devil was hiding underneath the splendid festivals of friendship?

The rift between us is much deeper than ever. Moreover, the two communities are facing each other this time. While previously we apportioned responsibility on the leaders for our conflicts, we are now blaming each other.

The anger on the Turkish side against the Greek Cypriot community is greater than the anger against Rauf Denktas. The Turkish Cypriots are offended because of the Greek Cypriot "no." The Greek Cypriots, on their part, complain that the Turkish Cypriots have failed to understand why they said "no."

Could it be that this referendum was held to bring the two communities at odds? Was it a stick of dynamite planted against the developing friendship and rapprochement? Did we accidentally run into a mine at a time when we thought we were most close to each other?

The television screens are propagating hatred. Everyone is at a loss because of a feeling of anger. The only thing missing is the recital of the poem "Grudge." It is as though some people would rejoice if the army tries to attack the Greek Cypriots.

Who put us into trouble? Is the blame only with the Greek Cypriots who have said "no?" Do those who declared the outcome of the talks in Switzerland as a "Turkish victory" have the right to get angry with the Greek Cypriots for refusing to share with them that victory?

It is not only the Switzerland victory. There is also the 1974 victory [Turkish military operation in Cyprus]! It is for this reason that you [Turkish side] do not feel you deserve the Republic of Cyprus. You raised the benchmark with the victory. You demanded that everyone should bow to the results of a war.

The songs kept silent. Let them do so. Damn these songs!"

[11] Turkish communist supports that official recognition of the Cyprus Republic should be tied to Turkey's membership

"The statements Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made during the European Union Expansion ceremony and his presence there shows that Turkey is getting ready to gradually recognize the Cyprus Republic. These are surprising and unexpected, by the international community. At the same time, symbolizes that Turkey doesn't want to lose the advantages on the issue it has won.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry does not plan to officially recognize the Cyprus Republic immediately. While not said openly, it wants to keep the option of recognizing it at the end of the year, depending on the date to start EU membership negotiations.

This is the right attitude. No immediate recognition, but to show our good intentions and to wait is the cleverest way.

The general opinion in the Foreign Ministry is to show Turkey intends to officially recognize the Cyprus Republic, if the EU provides a date at the December summit, with the Cyprus Republic and Greece not using their veto powers. Many other initiatives that will follow are also being kept on hold, depending on the results of the summit.

The attitude of a Turkey that has a date to start membership negotiations and a Turkey that doesn't will vary significantly.

If Turkey receives a date, it will recognize the Cyprus Republic, implement most of the initiatives outlined in the Annan plan, which was approved by the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' and significant steps will be taken to reduce tension.

If Turkey is not given a date, or the date given is too far in the future, its attitude on Cyprus and the Aegean Sea will be very different. Let's not hide this fact. If this option is realized, it will be a disaster for all concerned.

This is only natural. No government can try to mend fences, when its people are up in arms. We will find ourselves in a very unstable situation.

The attitude of the EU and US is very important. The next few weeks and months are very important.

Everyone will know how the U.S. and the EU will keep the promises they made to the 'TRNC' before the referenda.

The EU Commission is preparing a package on this matter. The U.S. announced that it would complement the steps taken by the EU. However, the people are fed up with empty promises. They naturally expect results. This will send a message to both Turkish and Greek Cypriots. If the EU does not implement steps that will benefit the 'TRNC' economically (such as opening of ports and airports and steps to boost trade) the Turkish people will start to think: " The intentions of the EU are not good. They are not after peace on Cyprus. Moreover, they are misleading Turkey and will not give it a membership negotiation date." There will be calls for more forceful action on the government.

Additionally, the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos will think his policy against the Annan plan is validated, and that he won't face any of the threatened penalties. His stance will be even more obstructionist.

As a result, the Cyprus issue will continue to be a thorn in relations between Turkey and the EU.

This possibility will be welcomed by those who don't want Turkey in the EU.

Our hope is for the U.S. and the EU to be sensitive in the coming months. If not, everything will be ruined. Everybody will suffer, especially Greece, if some try to take advantage of Turkey's good intentions."

/SK

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