Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-11-03

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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 the Turkish Deputy Chief of Staff on Cyprus, EU's Progress Report for Turkey and the issue of the minorities.

[02] Ankara is reportedly disturbed from Mehmet Ali Talat's statements regarding the possibility of re-negotiation of some issues in the UN plan.

[03] Mr Talat said that it is USA and EU that do not want any activity regarding the Cyprus problem

[04] Izcan says putting the Cyprus problem in the freezer or relating it with Turkey's full accession to the EU could not be accepted.

[05] The EU considers amending the Ceasefire Line Regulation.

[06] Mrs Mechtild Rothe says the European Parliament could help the Turkish Cypriots to put an end to their "isolation" and participate in the EU.

[07] The US Embassy in Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce will co-organize a seminar.

[08] Ancient pottery items found in a German's house living in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Turkish Deputy Chief of Staff on Cyprus, EU's Progress Report for Turkey and the issue of the minorities

In statements yesterday in Ankara during a Press briefing that lasted almost two hours, General Basbug argued that the simultaneous referendums, which took place in April 2004 on the island, confirmed that there were "two peoples" and that the one did not have the authority to represent the other.

Furthermore, according to Turkish daily HURRIYET newspaper (03.11.04), General Basbug expressed the opinion of the Turkish army on EU's Progress Report for Turkey and criticized the Report.

Noting that there are elements in the report that could harm the integrity of Turkey, the Turkish General said, inter alia, the following on the issue:

".As Turkish Armed Forces we do not approve the opening of a discussion on the issue of the unitary (structure of) the state. In EU's Progress Report it is openly said that there are new minorities in Turkey. Thus, it is obvious that it is going outside the framework of (the Treaty of) Lausanne. We do not approve the fact that it is openly said or implied that persons who do not consider themselves as minorities are minorities. And we consider this to be thought-provoking. No concessions could be made from Lausanne.".

[02] Ankara is reportedly disturbed from Mehmet Ali Talat's statements regarding the possibility of re-negotiation of some issues in the UN plan

In a statement to the Greek Cypriot daily FILELEFTHEROS newspaper Mr Talat said: "The Greek side should decide what it wants and everybody expects the leader of the 'Cypriot Greek administration', Mr Tassos Papadopoulos, to declare what he and his 'administration' wants."

Mr Talat said he could sit down at the table with President Papadopoulos and propose new changes to the Annan plan, as well as listen to his recommendations. "Of course if Papadopoulos has some suggestions for amendments we will discuss them and naturally we will put forward ours", Mr Talat added.

Further more under the subtitle: "Talat did not consult with Ankara", the paper reports, inter alia, the following:

"Talat said that negotiations regarding the Cyprus problem should be under the umbrella of the United Nations (UN) and not the European Union (EU). He did not consult with Ankara about his decision. The solution, he said, could be slightly different from the Annan Plan.

Ankara does not accept the new negotiations at this stage, nor did Talat consult with Ankara before he decided to propose new ones. Ankara said: "The Turkish side did what it was supposed to and the Greek side should be forced to do what it has to do upon international pressure". Ankara is worried because the EU has not yet kept the promises it made before the24th April referendum when the Greek Cypriot rejected the UN plan."

[03] Mr Talat said that it is USA and EU that do not want any activity regarding the Cyprus problem

Mr Talat said the following on the issue: "It is not Turkey that does not want any activity regarding the Cyprus issue, but it is the USA and the EU who wants that, because in case any risk is taken there are warnings saying that the Greek Cypriots have the right of veto and Turkey getting a date will put in danger. Turkey has not said anything to us on this issue; it is the world and the great forces that want this, because they want Turkey to take a date".

Meanwhile, the newspaper reports also that the Turkish Foreign Minister Spokesman Namik Tan, declined to comment on Talat's remarks, saying that Turkey has already made its position clear on the U.N. plan on different occasions. He also alleged that it was normal for Talat, who "is striving for a settlement in Cyprus", to consider different alternatives.

[04] Izcan says putting the Cyprus problem in the freezer or relating it with Turkey's full accession to the EU could not be accepted

In statements yesterday after a meeting with a delegation of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS), Mr Izcan argued that the Turkish Cypriot community did its duty, but there is no activity in the Cyprus problem because both sides have not undertaken any initiative.

Mr Izcan noted that putting the Cyprus problem in the freezer or relating its solution to Turkey's full accession to the European Union was tantamount to the end of the existence of the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Izcan pointed out that only if the Turkish Cypriot supporters of the solution were united in the forthcoming "early elections", they could be saved from being put in the freezer and being a trump-card in the hands of some persons.

[05] The EU considers amending the Ceasefire Line Regulation

Addressing a bi-communal conference in Nicosia entitled "Facilitating commercial activity across the Green Line", European Commission official Leopold Maurer said yesterday that they were planning the amendments to be approved by the Council of Ministers of the EU and be enforced until the end of this year.

Mr Maurer said that there were some difficulties on the trade of fish and honey, but efforts are exerted for finding a solution to the issue.

[06] Mrs Mechtild Rothe says the European Parliament could help the Turkish Cypriots to put an end to their "isolation" and participate in the EU

In statements to KIBRIS correspondent in Strasbourg, Mrs Rothe said: "We have no responsibility for the Annan Plan, but we could help the Turkish Cypriot community to live in the EU by granting financial aid, (launching) direct trade and breaking the isolations".

Mrs Rothe noted that the European Parliament had the same position with the Turkish Cypriots on the Annan Plan and that it strongly supported the Turkish Cypriot community.

Mrs Rothe said: "The majority of the Turkish Cypriots approved the Annan Plan. I hope that new opportunities are created regarding the Annan Plan. People have been disappointed because a solution on the basis of the Annan Plan was not reached. The European Union will provide the necessary help to the Turkish Cypriot community".

Mrs Rothe pointed out that there was absolutely no problem on behalf of the socialist group or the Republic of Cyprus on the issue of granting financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots and added that the Financial Aid Regulation will be approved by the EU Parliament on 15 November.

[07] The US Embassy in Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce will co-organize a seminar

Mr Amer Kayani, from the US Trade Department and Mr James Higgiston from the US Agriculture Department will address the seminar, which will be taking place on 9 November, 2004.

The paper writes also that the US ambassador to Nicosia, Mr Michael Klosson will also address the seminar, during which issues such as ways to establish relations with the business world in the USA, the best firms of the USA and the main lines of cooperating with the sector of agriculture of the USA will be discussed.

[08] Ancient pottery items found in a German's house living in the occupied areas of Cyprus

The "police" found in his house 28 pieces of pottery ancient items and an icon.

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