Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-10-14

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] MILLIYET alleges that Luxembourg is lobbying for Turkey to start accession negotiations on 26 April 2005

[02] The spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry tries to blame the government of Cyprus for Turkey's crimes against a small defenseless member of the EU.

[03] Talat says Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus before the solution of the Cyprus problem could not be accepted and that no EU official expects this from Ankara.

[04] Rauf Denktas admits that his candidacy as so-called President of the pseudostate was determined by the Turkish occupation army.

[05] The British High Commissioner paid a visit to the so-called Mayor of occupied Famagusta.

[06] Two new power stations in occupied Famagusta area.

[07] Kenan Akin denies any involvement in smuggling incident.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses as veto threat the position of the EU countries that Turkey should respect the human rights of its citizens and abandon its expansionist designs on neighbouring EU member states.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] MILLIYET alleges that Luxembourg is lobbying for Turkey to start accession negotiations on 26 April 2005

MILLIYET further claims that Luxembourg has suggested to the EU member countries to start accession talks with Turkey on 26 April 2005.

The paper reports that Mr Juncker has already started lobbying among the EU leaders so that a date will be given to Turkey during the 17 December EU summit. MILLIYET claims that during the telephone conversation Mr Juncker told Erdogan: "Europe could benefit a lot from Turkey. We will do all we could so that the accession negotiations start during our term presidency".

In his turn Erdogan thanked Juncker and said: "We have fulfilled the criteria. As the time goes on we will make up the deficiencies. We want the EU to keep its promises and to start the negotiations as soon as possible".

In another article in the same paper compiled by the paper's Ankara correspondent Utku Cakirozer, MILLIYET reports that the Turkish government liked the date proposed by Luxembourg and has decided to start an intense diplomatic initiative among the EU member countries which, headed by France, are against Turkey so that they will not preclude the date proposed by Luxembourg.

The paper adds that within this framework the Turkish Prime Minister will visit France on 20-21 October and on 26 October Germany. Erdogan will meet French President Chirac and German Chancellor Schroeder in Germany.

In his turn the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will visit Germany on 18-19 October and France on 24-25 October. The paper reports that in Germany, Gul will warn the leader of the Christian Democrat Party Angela Merkel, that the signature campaign to be started in Germany should not turn into a Turkish animosity.

MILLIYET further reports that FM Gul had a meeting with the Minister responsible for EU affairs in Bavaria Federal State, Eberhard Sinner, who is in alliance with Merkel, and said to him that the signature campaign should not take other directions. Mr. Sinner had assured Gul that the campaign is for asking the question whether to give special status to Turkey or to admit it as full member. Sinner said: "Do not worry. This will not be a 'yes' or 'no' for Turkey."

[02] The spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry tries to blame the government of Cyprus for Turkey´s crimes against a small defenseless member of the EU

As it is known Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 with the pretext of restoring constitutional order, following a coup by the junta of Greece, killing 1% of the Cypriots, forcing 1/3 of the Greek Cypriots out of their homes and giving their property to colonizers it carried from Turkey. It occupied and exploited 70% of the wealth-producing resources for 30 years and today it expects to be rewarded by its victims alleging it wants a solution while maintaining the casus belli threat against NATO ally and EU member Greece if it exercises its rights deriving from international agreements in the Aegean.

In Northern Iraq Turkey follows the policy it has been following in Cyprus since the early 50´s to impose its will and permanent control through the strategic minority of Turkomans.

The full text of yesterday´s report by TRT 2 television is as follows:

"Ankara's response to the Greek Cypriot Administration which expects concessions in Cyprus with threats of a veto in the EU: `The Greek Cypriot Administration is trying to shed its responsibility regarding the lack of solution in Cyprus which it, itself, caused´.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan expressed Ankara's stand on the issue during his weekly news conference.

He said: `The Greek Cypriots are always coming up with demands. They are trying to shed their responsibility regarding the lack of solution in Cyprus which they, themselves, caused. Everybody knows who is responsible for the lack of solution in Cyprus. The entire world is aware of it.´

Tan said Ankara expects the negotiations to begin without delay, in line with the decision adopted at the Copenhagen summit.

On Barzani's remarks on Kirkuk during his visit to Turkey, Tan said that Turkey has not changed its views regarding this issue.

Mr Tan said: `Turkey cannot remain an observer to the change of the status quo which is based on the known principles. The elected interim parliament that will draw up the new Iraqi constitution next year will submit that constitution to the approval of the Iraqi people. A permanent solution should be found to the status of Kirkuk in line with that constitution. That would be the appropriate way of putting an end to the debates regarding Kirkuk´."

[03] Talat says Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus before the solution of the Cyprus problem could not be accepted and that no EU official expects this from Ankara

Speaking yesterday at the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University ("EMU") on "Cyprus and the expectations after the referendum", Mr Talat said that he has met with many EU representatives and added: "No one expects Turkey to recognize the Republic of Cyprus before the solution of the Cyprus problem. Turkey must use this seriously".

In case Turkey recognizes the Republic of Cyprus, he continued, we are concerned that the Turkish Cypriots would come to the point of defending their rights in the above-mentioned Republic on the basis of the local and international law.

Mr Talat said: "I cannot accept Turkey officially recognizing the Republic of Cyprus before the solution of the Cyprus problem. Such a thing is not possible. We are not at this position now. At this moment Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus cannot and must not be mentioned".

Mr Talat noted that the regulations of the EU regarding the financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots and the direct trade with the occupied areas were very important for the lifting of their so-called isolation and added that both these regulations have been left for the period after 17 December so that the Greek Cypriots do not get angry and prevent Turkey's accession to the EU.

Mr Talat said that in the end the UN process towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem will begin. "The UN has postponed the process until 17 December, but the solution of the Cyprus problem will again come onto the agenda after 17 December", he argued and expressed the opinion that the international organization does not wish the discussions on the Cyprus solution plan to last for another four years, but "some corrections might be made on the plan".

Mr Talat reiterated his views regarding the issue of the return of the closed town of Varosha to its legal Greek Cypriot owners and the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops from Cyprus, arguing that even discussing these moves is wrong. He also added: "I do not think that returning Varosha to the Greek Cypriots is right before the solution. Even talking about withdrawal of Turkish troops in spite of the fact that the Greek Cypriots did not say YES, is wrong. I am not talking about it. This is what I want from Turkey. This issue must not be discussed. This is an element of the solution of the Cyprus problem. It does not mean showing good will. Turkey must insist on this issue. If it makes a step backwards in order to get a date, it could not stop at all".

[04] Rauf Denktas admits that his candidacy as so-called President of the pseudostate was determined by the Turkish occupation army

The paper notes that in statements to the "Guven" radio station, Mr Denktas said that he would not be a candidate in the "presidential elections" in 2005 even if he is called a traitor for this.

According to YENI DUZEN Mr Denktas said:

"Last time too I was not going to be a candidate. Last time I was definitely going to withdraw. The following happened: A very high ranking army official said to me: 'Now we are conducting talks. You know. You are the one who knows the past. You are the one who knows the Greek Cypriots. Whom are you going to turn to? What are you going to say if we say that now we are withdrawing troops from Cyprus?' I would say you have betrayed the country, I said. 'We too are going to say the same to you', he said. Now discussions have began on taking the Cyprus problem out of the way and turning us into minority of the Greek Cypriots by eliminating the TRNC. My duty is not sitting at this post as if I approve such a thing. My duty is to go out and together with my people fight until the end against those who will eliminate this state".

[05] The British High Commissioner paid a visit to the so-called Mayor of occupied Famagusta

According to an announcement of the municipality, Mr Parker and Mr Kayalp exchanged views on the general problems of the town, as well as what would be the benefits with the opening of the occupied port of Famagusta.

During the meeting, Mr Kayalp said that they are ready to take any initiative that will contribute to the development of the occupied areas of Cyprus and especially the area of Famagusta.

On his behalf, Mr Parker said that the British Government is ready to contribute in any way for the economic development of occupied Cyprus. He also added that the aim of his visit is to meet people who work in the export, import and tourism sectors, in order to listen to their problems and proposals.

[06] Two new power stations in occupied Famagusta area

Each power station will have two generators with capacity of 17.5 megawatt. The first will be put in operation on 1st of December 2005 and the second on 30 June the same year.

[07] Kenan Akin denies any involvement in smuggling incident

Commenting the fact that his name is in the Interpol list because of the murder of the Greek Cypriot Solomos Solomou, Akin said that he fired no shots during the incidents at Deryneia in 1996.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses as veto threat the position of the EU countries that Turkey should respect the human rights of its citizens and abandons its expansionist designs on neighbouring EU member states.

Mr Bila argues that the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus is a pre-condition for Turkey, ignoring that this is Turkey´s legal and political obligation and that it was Turkey which for 30 years lead the Republic and its citizens into a plight unprecedented in world history.

The full text of the commentary follows:

"The leader of the Greek Cypriot administration Tassos Papadopoulos has given signals of his "veto card." He has stated that in case Turkey fails to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration as the "Republic of Cyprus" his administration would exercise its veto right at the EU summit to be held on 17 December.

It is no surprise that Papadopoulos puts his veto card on the table. It was something expected. The use of the veto card against Turkey by the Greek Cypriot administration, as an EU member, was a development that Turkey, which expects a negotiating date from the EU, had foreseen. Papadopoulos' statement indicates that the recognition of South Cyprus by Turkey by 17 December is a pre-condition. Ankara will be forced to fulfill this condition in order not to be vetoed by South Cyprus on 17 December. Having accepted the customs union agreement, Turkey has before it the recognition obstacle now.

The Greek factor that backs South Cyprus should naturally not be forgotten. A reminder came from Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, who demanded the recognition of South Cyprus by Turkey, and listed his other demands: Turkey should accept the ecumenical status of the patriarchate; the Heybeliada [Halki] seminary should be opened; and the immovable properties of our Helen kinsmen should be returned.

The Greek President made this statement at Nafpactos during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Christian navy's victory over the Ottoman navy. After saying that this was an important development in Europe's history, he added: "It is the united Europe that defends the human rights now, and Turkey wants to join it."

Stephanopoulos, therefore, listed the conditions that Turkey should fulfill.

Stephanopoulos and Papadopoulos have announced their terms ahead of 17 December. Undoubtedly they demand from Turkey to recognize South Cyprus not only as the "Republic of Cyprus," but also as the representative of the whole of Cyprus.

Having focused its attention on getting a negotiating date after the European Commission's recommendation to "give a date," what can Ankara do in the face of the veto threat? Greece's and South Cyprus' demands will get support from other EU countries. It appears difficult for Turkey to even find a middle course.

It is common knowledge that the Greek Cypriots, who have said "no" to the Annan Plan, want North Cyprus to attach itself to the Greek Cypriot administration. The Turks, who said "yes" to the Annan Plan, have achieved no gains yet.

How long can Ankara continue to resist recognizing a member of the EU that it wants to join? It was already evident that these conditions would be put before Turkey after the EU admitted the Greek Cypriot sector as the "Republic of Cyprus."

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