Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-06-29

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Greek Prime Minister stresses the Greek side´s good-will and readiness for a solution in Cyprus soon.

[02] Talat rejects the proposals of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for "Confidence Building Measures".

[03] Gul asks Straw to put an end to the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots as soon as possible.

[04] Two deputies of Azerbaijan's Parliament are visiting the pseudostate in order to establish economic and cultural relations.

[05] Deadlock over the establishment of a new pseudogovernment because of differences on democratization and the military power in the occupied areas.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Greek Prime Minister stresses the Greek side´s good-will and readiness for a solution in Cyprus soon

Speaking at the Youth Summit held on the occasion of NATO Summit in Istanbul, Mr Karamanlis said that Turkey's rapprochement to Europe was beneficial for the EU, Turkey and its neighbouring countries.

Upon a question about the Cyprus issue, Mr Karamanlis expressed his hope that the issue could still be solved.

He stressed that everyone should respect the results of the referenda held on both sides of the island on April 24, 2004, as a democratic process.

The Greek Premier noted that it would be wrong to say that the target of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem was ended, adding that the issue should be considered as a process that could be solved in a short-term.

[02] Talat rejects the proposals of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus for "Confidence Building Measures"

"The Greek Cypriots proposed the opening of 11 new gates for free crossings", notes AFRIKA pointing out that Mr Talat said that he did not see positively such a move and claimed that the Greek Cypriots "are trying to change the agenda".

Noting that among the Greek Cypriot proposals is the demilitarization of the old town of Nicosia, the paper writes that Mr Talat accused the Greek Cypriot side of not being sincere. Mr Talat said: "Have we got such an agenda for God's sake? Have we got such a problem at the moment? Has there been a confrontation? Has there been a clash?"

Mr Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to change the agenda because it could not explain why it had prevented the solution and why the Turkish Cypriots are isolated. "The package of Confidence Building Measures is an effort in vain which is not on the agenda and it is not logical", he claimed.

Rejecting the proposal for the opening of eleven crossing points, Mr Talat supported that this was also not logical because the Government of the Republic of Cyprus did not allow the Turkish Cypriot rented cars, taxis and buses to enter the free areas of Cyprus.

Referring to the developments at the Council of Europe regarding the representation of the Turkish Cypriots, Mr Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriots exerted efforts to keep the Turkish Cypriots isolated. "They have to give account for this. Confidence Building Measures are possible only by stopping this kind of initiatives. I do not find them sincere, but we shall examine them", he supported.

[03] Gul asks Straw to put an end to the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots as soon as possible

During a meeting they had yesterday Mr Gul supported that it is important that Britain makes concrete steps towards ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots before the positive climate, which was created after the referenda in Cyprus, is gone.

Mr Straw has reportedly said that everybody benefited from the process which ended with the referenda in Cyprus and noted that Britain is seriously working on the Turkish expectations, both in the country and within the framework of the EU.

Mr Straw expressed his confidence that something would be done on the issue of the direct flights towards the illegal airports of the occupied areas of Cyprus, but he noted that this is a whole process and no one should expect it to end at once.

[04] Two deputies of Azerbaijan's Parliament are visiting the pseudostate in order to establish economic and cultural relations

Speaking to HALKIN SESI, Mr Samedov and Mr Hasanli said that they will be in front of every positive step taken as regards the pseudostate in the international community. They also said that they are visiting occupied Cyprus under authorisation given to them by the Parliament of Azerbaijan and stated that it would be good for relations to be established in various fields like economy, sports, tourism and culture. In this framework they would like a football match to take place between the deputies of Azerbaijan and the "deputies" of the occupation regime, they said.

[05] Deadlock over the establishment of a new pseudogovernment because of differences on democratisation and the military power in the occupied areas

The talks have been blocked because the three parties have different views as regards the democratisation and the limiting of the powers of the Turkish army. The PDM insists on adding in the protocol of cooperation two issues, firstly the "Police", which is under the army, to come under the so-called Ministry of Interior, and secondly, the military canteens to be closed. The paper writes that these two issues are of a great importance for the PDM, which stated that without these demands being met, it cannot participate in a coalition "government" and criticised the attitude of the RTP towards these demands.

In addition, the PDM has great differences with the DP as regards the issue of the so-called Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because the PDM wants to take under its control the foreign policy issues. However, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Serdar Denktas, who wants to keep his "post".

The talks between the three parties, which are taking place between their delegations, will continue since a second meeting between the parties' leaders was put on the agenda.

/SK

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