Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-11-08

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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 analyses his views on the current stage of the Cyprus problem.

[02] Durduran says that nothing will change in the occupied area whatever the result of "elections" and underlines that the Turkish side does not want action on the Cyprus problem before 17 December, 2004.

[03] AFRIKA: "Talat admits the role which Turkey defined for the left-wing opposition".

[04] Mustafa Akinci said that Turkey has come to the point that it must recognize the Republic of Cyprus.

[05] The Turkish Prime Minister said that Turkey sent the necessary message to the "South Cyprus" with the Customs Union Agreement.

[06] Pieces of valuable art works and icons were found in the house of German woman who lives in occupied Lapithos.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist Zulfu Livaneli assesses President Bush´s re-election.

[08] Columnist in HURRIYET expects "more aggressive foreign policy from Bush and his neo-conservative comrades".

[09] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses president Bush´s re-election.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas analyses his views on the current stage of the Cyprus problem

Following are Mr Rauf Denktas´ replies to the questions of Hilal Kose: Question: Can you comment on the direction the Cyprus problem has taken and the Turkish side's objective?

Answer: It is going somewhere. Certain steps are taken. However, we are unaware of the objective. Everyone describes the objective as accession to the EU. However, I do not know where the steps that are taken will lead us to. Our objective is the establishment of a new partnership by the two states and two sovereign peoples, a plan that was upheld by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The criteria for that were accepted in the agreement I reached with Archbishop Makarios in the past. We call for a bizonal federal system based on the two communities. The main objective must be to safeguard the existence of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". However, steps are taken without any objective in mind. We will eventually be pushed to a point where we will not be able to turn back. We will then be informed as follows: "Well, what can we do? The steps were taken by all of us." The claims about "legitimate Cyprus" obstructed the solution of the problem.

Question: Has an effort been made to force the Turkish Cypriots to agree to live without a solution on the island?

Answer: One of the most important reasons for the present situation is the recognition of the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate Cyprus Government by the foreign countries. As far as the Greek Cypriots are concerned, the Cyprus problem was solved on the day their title was recognized. That is what the world has failed to realize. We want to solve the problem, which the Greek Cypriots believe has been solved a long time ago. The Greek Cypriot Administration believes that it is the legitimate government and that the Cyprus problem has been solved. It tells us that it is prepared to recognize rights to us if we agree that it is the legitimate government. It has described the island as a unitary entity, regardless of the fact that Cyprus is a federal state.

Question: What does Cyprus mean for Turkey? How can you explain the large number of yes votes in the referendum?

Answer: We believe that the Cyprus issue is a serious security problem for Turkey. We believe in Ataturk's view that Turkey will be a landlocked country if Cyprus is in enemy hands. That was why we reached an agreement in 1960. We had many martyrs. A war could have been fought between Turkey and Greece. The Turkish Cypriot people are not only trying to safeguard their freedom but also contribute to the Turkish cause. They made a strenuous effort in confidence until the Annan plan was placed on the table. Promises were made in connection with the plan. The Americans, the EU representatives, particularly EU representative Karen Fogg, prepared the ground of our division through the views they conveyed to the journalists and the funds they extended to them until the Annan plan was put on the negotiation table. The Greek Cypriots intensified the pressure on the Turkish Cypriot side by informing the foreign officials in all the meetings they had with them that they would accept the Annan plan. So, the 65 percent of the Turkish Cypriots said yes to the plan to show that they supported the establishment of peace on the island.

Question: However, the promises have not been fulfilled, regardless of the yes vote'

Answer: No, the promises have not been fulfilled. The steps that are taken now do not go beyond calls for the fulfillment of promises, the lifting of the embargo on the Turkish Cypriots, and the opening of the Tymbou airport in north Cyprus. Meanwhile, the Turkish officials have said that "they will not ask for political recognition." Considering that, in what capacity will we be prepared to hold talks? Now that the Greek Cypriot administration has joined the EU as the legitimate government and presented the Turkish Cypriot people as a minority to the world, in what capacity will we be able to hold talks if we continue to say that we do not want our state to be recognized? As the Greek Cypriots say, we would be the Turkish Cypriot minority in the Cyprus Republic. The Turkish Cypriots who cast a yes vote in the referendum for various reasons are worried. A few extreme groups act like EU mercenaries. They still continue to call for the implementation of the Annan plan.

Question: Can you comment on your plans for the future?

Answer: We have to change our course. We have to say with a loud voice that the conditions are unacceptable. No one has the right to impose them on us. A juicy EU carrot was extended to us to persuade us to support the Annan plan. That is why many people cast a yes vote in the referendum. They were not informed that the 9,000-page package would "undermine their state and sovereignty, turn them into a minority, and force Turkey to completely withdraw from Cyprus." The esteemed Prime Minister and our "Prime Minister" informed many of our people that we would be recognized if we said yes to the plan. Why did I cast a no vote in the referendum? I did so to be able to maintain our trump card in the bargaining talks. I said that we might suffer from incidents similar to those that took place in 1963 if the Turkish military forces lost their right to intervene.

Question: Can you comment on the statements Prime Minister Erdogan made before and after the referendum?

Answer: Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos made promises to Prime Minister Erdogan. In other words, he made promises as the head of the Cyprus Republic to the head of the Turkish Government. So, we have been moving in a direction without being aware of where we are going. However, I can say that we are not moving in the direction of our national cause. As far as I am concerned, our national objective is to reach an agreement based on the existence of the "TRNC", which was recognized by Turkey when it was established 21 years ago. Otherwise, we will be destroyed. The question of ownership and property is a political issue. It cannot be solved in courtrooms. We call for peace, which will be based on our independence. Our independence and our state cannot be given up. We would not have the capital we need to establish a partnership with the Greek Cypriots if we give up our independence and state. All what we have is our state and independence.

Question: Can you comment on the conditions you have in mind for a partnership with the Greek Cypriot side?

Answer: We have to have an equal political status with the Greek Cypriots to be able to establish a partnership with them. Meanwhile, our economy has to be improved. It has to reach the level of the Greek Cypriot economy. How can that be achieved? It can be achieved if the EU considers us as a different factor and helps us to change our laws to comply with the EU norms. They helped the Greek Cypriots for many years for that purpose. So, it can be done. The embargoes on us must be lifted and we must be allowed to freely use our seaports and airport.

Question: What do you expect from Ankara? Can you comment on the way it approaches you?

Answer: I am not informed on Ankara's approach. That makes me very worried and uneasy.

Question: You said that Turkey has failed to use the provision in the London and Zurich Agreements that says that Cyprus joining an international organization in which Turkey and Greece are not members is out of the question'

Answer: Some of the politicians say: "Turkey failed to effectively use the provision in order to be able to join the customs union. Therefore, nothing can be done." I disagree with that. A government might make a mistake. It is the duty of the government that replaces it to rectify the mistake. The provision clearly says: "Cyprus cannot join any international organization if Turkey and Greece are not among its members." Britain agreed to the accession of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU. It responded to us when we recalled the provision by saying: "Our view on the provision is different. It was included in the agreement to obstruct Enosis.

Question: A controversy exists over the withdrawal of Turkey's troops from Cyprus '

Answer: The Annan plan was viewed as a document that would go beyond solving the Cyprus problem. It was seen as an exercise for Cyprus' accession to the EU. It called for the removal of Turkey from the scene, regardless of the fact that Turkey's presence was a durable guarantee. We lost the wind in our sails when Turkey agreed to it. What are we defending now? The objective of the struggle that is waged now is to force Turkey to withdraw its troops from the island. I hope that Turkey will object. Otherwise, the Turkish Cypriots will be demoralized. If we were wrong until now, then they must explain what will happen to us. The Greek Cypriots wanted Cyprus as a whole. We objected. If they believe that we were wrong to do so, then we will not apologize. Turkey will have to decide whether or not it will agree to give the island to the Greek Cypriots.

Question: Do you believe that Turkey is changing its basic policies? Is Turkey engaged in a different kind of bargaining?

Answer: Even if it might be engaged in a different kind of bargaining, it must realize that it has bastions to defend. Cyprus is one of them. It must not allow anyone to touch it because it has a strong case. The outcome of any high-level bargaining will be useless if Turkey fails to defend its cause.

[02] Durduran says that nothing will change in the occupied area whatever the result of "elections" and underlines that the Turkish side does not want action on the Cyprus problem before 17 December, 2004

In statements to KIBRIS, Mr Durduran noted that his party has called on the Turkish Cypriots to "put an end to being administered with directives at the elections and during the period before the elections".

"Otherwise, participating in the elections is meaningless. However, neither the community nor the other parties supported this view. Therefore this could not be realized", he added.

Mr Durduran noted that the Turkish side did not want any activity on the Cyprus problem before 17 December, 2004 and that in case any action is taken before 17 December, the Turkish side might be forced to contribute to possible developments and Turkey's accession process to the EU might be influenced if Ankara exhibits a negative stance before a situation that it does not desire. Furthermore, Mr Durduran supported that the Greek Cypriot side wanted to realize its aims by using Turkey's relations with the EU.

Expressing the opinion that Turkey recognizes the Republic of Cyprus, but it does not recognize as its representative "the Greek Cypriot administration", Mr Durduran added:

"Therefore, we shall see that embassies and consulates to be opened. At the first stage Turkey will recognize both the TRNC and the Republic of Cyprus. However, after a while, Turkey itself will launch initiative to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. '".

Referring to the fact that they have changed the name of his party from "Patriotic Union Movement" to "New Cyprus Party", Mr Durduran said they wanted to give the message that Cyprus is a member of the EU, that the EU citizens should be given the opportunity to participate in the politics as in other EU countries and that this is the reason for which they have changed the name of their party. "Our main goal is to create the opportunity of having political activities in the entire Cyprus", he noted.

[03] AFRIKA: "Talat admits the role which Turkey defined for the left-wing opposition"

According to Varol Oztug, member of the administrative council of the Communal Liberation Party and former General Secretary of the Teaches' Trade Union, Mr Talat told them that they were dreaming and that the "left - wing parties cannot rule, they can only be a coalition partner".

Commenting on the issue, AFRIKA writes: "Talat too admits the role that Turkey defined for the left opposition in northern Cyprus".

[04] Mustafa Akinci said that Turkey has come to the point that it must recognize the Republic of Cyprus

The leader of PDM, Mr Mustafa Akinci, during his speech evaluated the latest political developments. Mr Akinci, inter alia, said the following: "As Turkey did not fulfil the requisites of the recognition of the TRNC, it did not also fulfil the non-recognition requisites of the Republic of Cyprus, which is under the Greek Cypriot Administration. Now, Turkey has come to the point of recognizing the Republic of Cyprus, which is under the Greek Cypriot administration. If Turkey proceeds to the EU accession, then this recognition will be realised. And if Turkey recognizes the Republic of Cyprus with this situation, then Turkish Cypriots will have minority status falling back of the 1960 rights. We must safeguard that Turkey recognizes the Republic of United Cyprus and not the Republic of Cyprus. For this reason we must abandon the pleasant way of conducting policies, we should leave aside the policy of the 'God is great' and we should work for an early solution refusing to be left in the cold.

Meanwhile, local AFRIKA newspaper (07.11.04) reports that Mr Akinci, had a meeting yesterday with the Group of the European Greens in occupied Nicosia. Noting that the Turkish Cypriots do not expect to get a reward for saying "yes" to the referendum, but at least they should not be punished for this, Mr Akinci said the worries of the Greek Cypriots who said "no" by 76% should be analyzed.

[05] The Turkish Prime Minister said that Turkey sent the necessary message to the "South Cyprus" with the Customs Union Agreement

"Turkey made its positive approach regarding 'South Cyprus' on the issue of the Customs Union Agreement. Turkey, with its stance on the Customs Agreement issue, gave the necessary message.

The 'Greek Cypriot administration of the South Cyprus' should be satisfied with this message. Turkey entered the Customs Union Agreement before becoming a full member of EU.

While 'South Cyprus' entered the Customs Union Agreement after becoming a full member of the EU, Turkey said 'yes' to the Custom Agreement with 'South Cyprus' without any negative behaviour.

In face of such positive approaches the 'Greek Cypriot Administration' and especially President Papadopoulos, during our meetings, told me very clearly, openly and without any condition, 'we will give a positive vote for Turkey to start the negotiate process on 17 December'. In spite of that I do not regard it as possible that they can have a different stance."

[06] Pieces of valuable art works and icons were found in the house of German woman who lives in occupied Lapithos

According to the paper the following items were found in the house of Cappenberg: Sixteen pieces of icons, four copies of the new Testament, one piece of sword, forty-eight iconostasis pieces, five pieces of church equipment, three candlestick, two pieces of candlestick, two cannonballs, two animal hands, six bawls, one amphora, one metal bowl, four earth ware water jugs, one spinning wheel, two pieces of red walking sticks, one piece of stone olive mill and a piece of a column.

The paper also names some of the icons found in the house, which, as it writes, are dated on the 17th, the 18th, the 19th and the 20th century. Among the most valuable icons are an icon of Saint Nicolaos dated on the 18th century, an icon of saint Anna dated in 1871, an icon of Jesus Christ dated on the 20th century and other icons of not specified period.

Cappenberg gathered the icons from various areas of Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist Zulfu Livaneli assesses President Bush´s re-election

"The poisonous results of globalization are coming to light. George W. Bush came to power with difficulty through a court decision four years ago. However, he won the elections without difficulty this time.

What Bush planned to achieve was unknown when he participated in the elections as a presidential candidate for the first time. Now, however, he has been supported by more than half of the people, regardless of the fact that he wages a wrong and unjust war, caused the death of more than 100,000 people, and told lies about weapons of mass destruction.

As far as the world is concerned, that is a very serious situation. It shows that the United States is determined to confront the world.

It shows that the United States prefers war, not peace. It shows that the United States will maintain its effort to control the energy resources under the guise of globalization.

Every leading country tried to achieve that in history. It will be recalled that Rome extended its authority to the far reaches of the known world in the past. It sent its legions to distant places, established new settlements, and acted like a global police force. The United States is acting in a similar manner. But, Rome collapsed.

That Iran is Bush's next target is common knowledge. However, the occupation of Iran is out of the question. The United States will most probably bomb that country's nuclear installations and strategic centers. And, it must be noted that various factors strongly indicate that it will use Turkey to achieve its objectives.

Bush's reelection is not an auspicious development for the world. Undoubtedly, the consequences of his reelection will be more severe for Turkey. The serious situation in Iraq, which worsens every day, will not end. Positive steps will not be taken to solve the problem between Israel and the Palestinians. All that will worsen the existing hatred, confrontation, and terrorism.

Unfortunately, democracy might create such a serious state of fairs from time to time.

But, let us not forget Adolf Hitler. He, too, came to power in Germany through elections in the past."

[08] Columnist in HURRIYET expects "more aggressive foreign policy from Bush and his neo-conservative comrades"

"George W. Bush, the declared enemy of those who see themselves as intellectuals throughout the world, has been re-elected with a record vote.

Now every country is drawing for itself a roadmap for the new term. For the identity of the US President directly impacts the foreign policies of countries. President Bush and his neo-conservative comrades were criticized a great deal in the first term on account of their aggressive foreign policies.

In my view, the United States' foreign policy in this term will become even more aggressive.

US Presidents show their real characters during their second terms. Because they cannot be elected a third time, and so they do not have to account to the people again.

Furthermore, Presidents who are re-elected, in the justified view that the policies they have implemented during the first terms have been approved by the people, show themselves more clearly in their second terms.

And to top it off, George W. Bush, who got a record number of votes in an election that showed record participation while he was mercilessly criticized throughout the world, will probably act with even less restraint.

The policies of President Bush that will interest us will be his Middle East policies. In my estimation, the UN will not intervene in the Iraq War during this period either. The United States will in any event conduct an election in January of 2005, or at the latest sometime during the same year. During this period, it will try to come to an agreement with the Shi'ites, who are the most important element in the elections and who form the majority of the population, and will try to bring about the election of the candidate(s) most suitable to its own interests.

It will also wage a merciless struggle against the terrorists, who show no interest in compromise. It will utilize every sort of force in order to push them toward compromise. More blood will be shed in Iraq.

With the rejection of the 1 March [2003] motion [to authorize Turkish participation the Iraq war], the initiative in Northern Iraq passed into the hands of the Kurds. No matter what might be written in the pro-deep state newspaper, Turkey can no longer intervene in Northern Iraq.

A Kurdish Federal State is going to be established in Northern Iraq. In this period, Turkey has to make its calculations on the basis of this reality. The United States is not going to initiate any sanctions against the PKK [Workers' Party of Kurdistan] before the federal state is established.

Since its most trusted ally in the Middle East is still Turkey, the United States will try to win Turkey's favor during this period both by supporting it in its path to the EU and by assigning it an important role in the GME [Greater Middle East] initiative.

During this period, a quarrelsome United States will at the same time play games that appear to be aimed at democracy in the Middle East. Show elections will be forced on Saudi Arabia, and Turkey will be encouraged to draw even closer to Syria. I think that the United States, in order to win the hearts of the people in the Middle East, will also make a play for peace in Palestine.

During this period, the new crisis to break out in the Middle East will be in Iran. I do not expect that Bush will depart the White House without believing that he has "taken Iran under control". One way or another, he is going to convince Iran in terms of nuclear weapons!

During this period, even stronger conservative policies are going to dominate the world!"

[09] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses president Bush´s re-election

"We do not know whether the "big brain" who planned the 11 September [2001] action that scared the wits out of America had in fact calculated what a large area of impact this horrific action would create, but we can state, at the point we are at today, that this impact is of sufficient scale as to determine the direction in which the world goes. The Presidential election in the United States, which ended with a victory by President Bush, showed us that the effects of 11 September have still not been overcome, and that they are going to continue to determine the direction in which the world goes.

The Presidential election was in fact an important opportunity for the United States to get over its 11 September syndrome and come to its senses, but in the end, reason lost and fear won. President Bush, exploiting to the utmost the fear and the feeling of insecurity that 11 September had created in America, won the election by stressing throughout the campaign that America was in a war and banging into people's heads the theme that "I can protect you better against terror." The strong organization of the Republican Party, and the war of cultural values that it waged by getting religious organizations behind it as well, also no doubt played an important role in Bush's electoral victory, but the determining factor was the fact that at least half of the American population are still under the effect of the 11 September syndrome.

Subtitle: Two Americas

One important effect of 11 September, which was confirmed once more in the latest election, was to ensure that the division in American society be exposed in a manner that cannot be denied. The Bush administration's disregard of the rest of the world in the unrestrained approach it took after 11 September, and its effort to impose its own system of values on America, have turned America, in the words of historian Timothy Garton Ash, into "two different nations living in one country". Yet another well-known historian who followed the election in America, Simon Schama, has written that "The fault lines that divide America in two have emerged in such a distinct way for the first time since the Civil War." (The Guardian, 4 and 5 November 2004).

The line that the Bush administration took following 11 September, and the things that happened as a result, not only turned America into "two different societies living in one country", but also led to the United States becoming an "undesired", and in fact "hated" country in the eyes of a large part of the world. It became clear that the West is not at one within itself, and cannot defend itself as a whole. 11 September thus not only divided America, but also ended up dividing the bloc that is defined as "Western civilization".

Subtitle: Blow to international system

In a situation in which the West is divided within itself, and in which the heavy guns of the United States and Europe are in confrontation with one another, the efforts to bring legitimacy and sustainability to the global system which came onto the agenda in conjunction with globalization have been dealt a serious blow. While it is seen that it is impossible for the United States, which wants to dominate the global system on its own, to provide this legitimacy, the impossibility of an alternative that excludes the United States has also become clear. The way in which the Bush administration reacted to 11 September has also triggered a number of developments that prove right those who contend that globalization in fact cannot be sustained, and that it will create chaos rather than a new system.

Had John Kerry won the Presidential election in the United States, this might have spoiled to a degree the good mood of the "big brain" that planned 11 September. The vicious circle that came about by the Bush administration's response to 11 September and its manner of exploiting 11 September might have been broken, and a Kerry administration, which would give priority to reason and peace instead of the Bush administration's priority of faith and war, might have been able to give the world a breathing spell. The slide to authoritarian populism in the United States might have been restrained, and an America that would overcome the 11 September syndrome and come to its senses might have been able to play a global leadership role once again. Bush's victory may drag both America and the world into new conflicts. And this is just what the "big brain" who planned 11 September wants."

/SK

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