Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-11-22

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat argues that Turkey cannot accede to the EU before a solution in Cyprus.

[02] Mr Gul said Turkey expects others to make a move on Cyprus.

[03] Turkey is developing nuclear technology. Cyprus covered by the Turkish Radiation Early Warning System.

[04] Statistical data on the movement through occupied ports and airports of Cyprus.

[05] Imports and Exports in the occupied areas during the first eight months of 2004.

[06] Mustafa Akinci re-elected as the chairman of the Peace and Democracy Movement during the party's first regular General Assembly-The Party calls for an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem.

[07] The first regular General Assembly of the Cyprus Socialist Party took place in occupied Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist criticizes Gul's statements that Turkey did everything in Cyprus and that the Cyprus problem is over for Ankara.

[09] The Turkish Chief of Staff announced that efforts are being made for the diplomatic recognition of Ankara's occupation regime in Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat argues that Turkey cannot accede to the EU before a solution in Cyprus

According to sources, the matter will be discussed by the cabinet in a meeting to be held at noon tomorrow following an assessment made by the RTP's Central Executive Committee yesterday and Talat will return the mandate after the meeting.

National Unity Party (NUP) Chairman Dervis Eroglu, who was charged with the task of forming a new "government" on 21 October after the coalition government led by Talat resigned on 20 October, had returned the mandate on 1 November after his efforts failed to produce any result.

Talat, who was asked to form the new "government" on 8 November after Eroglu's attempts ended in failure, said that he would not take any initiative because there was no possibility of reaching an agreement with the other parties. Whether Rauf Denktas will appoint another party leader after Talat returns the mandate within the remaining part of the 60-day period provided for in the "Constitution" is not clear.

The early election procedure

An early election seems certain due to the current stalemate in the "National Assembly", which occurred after the resignation of the coalition "government". The constitutional process, however, should be completed in order to set a final date for the elections.

According to the "Constitution", an early election can be held only if the "National Assembly" carries a motion for that purpose or the "President" calls a new election. A motion for an early election has to be supported by at least two thirds of the MPs. In other words, 34 votes would be sufficient to carry such a motion. Although all the political parties have recently said that they were in favour of holding an early election, they could not reach a consensus about the date.

In addition, there is an obstacle arising from the "National Assembly's" rules, which prohibit submission of a second proposal, motion, or draft law on the same issue within 90 days from the date of submission of the first one. In September the "government" tabled a proposal to hold an early election and a second proposal on the matter could, therefore, be laid before the "National Assembly" only after 20 December unless its rules are amended.

According to the "Constitution", the "President" may call a new election only 60 days after entrusting the first party leader with the task of forming a new "government". The process, which started after Eroglu was given the mandate on 21 October following the coalition's resignation, will be completed on 21 December if a "government" cannot be formed within the 60-day period.

"Chief Public Prosecutor" Akin Sait has emphasized that holding an early election required serious consideration and therefore the 60-day period should be completed before making such a decision.

"President" Denktas is expected to call for a new election after the expiry of the 60-day period, which means that the elections could be held in the occupied areas in mid-February.

The coalition "government", which was formed by the RTP and the Democratic Party [DP] on 13 January 2004 after the general election held on 14 December 2003, lost its majority in the "National Assembly", which consists of 50 MPs, on 26 April. The RTP-DP coalition government resigned on 20 October after serving as a minority "government" for almost five months.

Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.11.04) further reported that answering reporters' questions on his way to a "Council of Ministers" meeting, Talat said that he plans to get together with Democratic Party [DP] General Chairman, "Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister" Serdar Denktas tomorrow, that he has an appointment with "President" Rauf Denktas on Monday, and that he will return the assignment to form a government that day.

Talat said that he is "inclined to return the assignment," that "the people are already preparing for elections," and that "early elections have become inevitable."

Talat said: "It would be more correct to go for early elections rather than engage in futile attempts to form a new government. For this reason, I am inclined to return the assignment."

Mr Talat alleged that the EU's financial assistance protocol for the occupied areas has been postponed because of hurdles raised by the Greek Cypriots.

Stating that the Greek Cypriots want the agency that will distribute the aid to open a branch in the free areas Cyprus and that COREPER [Committee of Permanent Representatives] members have been upset with that demand, Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot side wants the decision of the European Council meeting on November 22 to include a provision about direct trade, that EU term president Holland also shares this view, but that the Greek Cypriots are opposed to it.

Pointing out that his "government" has insisted that aid and direct trade must proceed together, Talat said that the postponement of aid is not related to his proposal.

Talat further alleged that the Greek Cypriot sides tries to blame the Turkish Cypriot side in every wicked action they undertake.

In the meantime Rauf Denktas has sent letters to the political parties recommending that they vote for a decision to hold early elections without waiting for the customary 60 days.

Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia (20.11.04) reported that Talat said on Saturday that by

the time Turkey joined the European Union (EU), the Cyprus problem would have to be solved.

Talat, who received a delegation of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), said that the Greek Cypriots wanted Turkey to accept that ''they also reign over the north''.

Mr Talat noted that the Greek Cypriots wanted ''Turkey to declare itself occupier'', and ''accept that the north of Cyprus is in fact a local administration of Turkey''.

Talat stated that all those possibilities were out of question.

Alleging that none of the world countries expected Turkey to recognize the Republic of Cyprus before the Cyprus problem was solved, Talat said that however, Turkey was face to face with the veto threat of the Greek Cypriots.

Talat said that Turkey's EU membership and the Cyprus problem were closely linked with each other, and noted that there was much to do.

Noting that `TRNC´ and Turkey should act together and be in continuous dialogue, Talat said: ''By the time Turkey joins the EU, the Cyprus problem will have to be solved. It is not possible for Turkey to join the EU before the Cyprus problem is solved.''

Stating that it was not only the Turkish Cypriot side which was facing difficulties, Talat said that the Greek Cypriot side should also be aware that it was facing difficulties, maybe more than the Turkish Cypriots.

Talat said: ''The world won't condone the Greek Cypriot administration's move to continue usurping Cyprus. This is not only related with Turkey's EU membership process, but also a requirement of the international system.''

[02] Mr Gul said Turkey expects others to make a move on Cyprus

Asked whether a fresh talks process based on the Annan Plan [for Cyprus ] might begin or not, he replied saying that Turkey had done what it had to here, that it was the turn of others to make a move, and that they were expecting the moves the others would make.

[03] Turkey is developing nuclear technology. Cyprus covered by the Turkish Radiation Early Warning System

Dr Can provided information about the activities at the center at a press conference at the CNAEM, where Hilmi Guler, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources also participated.

Dr Can stated that the CNAEM, which is connected to the Turkish Atomic Energy Institution [TAEK], carries out all kinds of research, development, implementation, training and informing activities for using nuclear energy for the benefit of Turkey with peaceful objectives and stated that the TR-1 research reactor, Turkey's first nuclear facility, was established in 1962 and in 1984 the TR-2, the second facility, started to operate with a 5-megawatt power.

Dr Can said that presently there are a total of 224 personnel working at the center. Of these, 44 have Ph.D. in science, 67 are expert personnel in the nuclear field, 45 are technicians and 68 are administrative support personnel. Dr Can said that the research and development activities are being continued in cooperation with the international organizations.

Dr Can stated that their research and development activities are to acquire the nuclear fuel production technology based on uranium and thorium, to develop thorium production technologies from ore, to design and develop nuclear electronic equipment and systems and to establish a nuclear fuel pilot facility.

He explained that they are engaged in activities related to radioactive wastes and that they realized the production of radio-isotopes for industrial needs and the production of radio-pharmaceuticals used with the objective of diagnosis in medicine and said that all kinds of foodstuffs entering Turkey were controlled from the aspect of radiation in customs with radioactive substance analyses and that they prepared radiation documents.

Dr Can also informed that they provide training for protection against radiation.

When giving information about the development of nuclear energy, Dr Can said that two different nuclear power plant competitive biddings were concluded unsuccessfully in 1977 and 1983 and that the competitive bidding opened in 1996 could not be completed due to economic reasons.

Dr Can explained that as of July 2004, the number of reactors, which were in operation in the field of nuclear energy in the world, was 441. The total established power of these reactors is 363 thousand megawatts. The number of reactors under construction is 30 and that the established power of these reactors is 24 thousand megawatts of electricity. He stated that the ratio of nuclear energy used is 16 percent of the total energy.

He emphasized that nuclear energy decreased dependence on foreign sources, that the nuclear energy power plants in the world are concentrated in Western Europe, North America and the Far East and that the nuclear reactors the closest to Turkey are in Romania, Bulgaria and Armenia.

Radiation Early Warning System Established

Dr Can informed that they have spread the radiation early warning system throughout Turkey and said: "With the equipment developed, all of Turkey has been equipped with an early warning system network. These are connected online to the crisis center in Ankara. The radiation levels are continuously being controlled everywhere in Turkey. There are 68 such systems within Turkey and in addition, one such system has been established in the "TRNC" ["Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus"] and Azerbaijan."

Dr Can expressed the view that nuclear energy is environmentally friendly and he showed a photograph depicting people entering into the sea immediately next to the Mihana nuclear power reactor. Dr Can stated that a bird paradise, at which the important bird species of Istanbul are found, is sheltered at the Kucukcekmece Lake, close to their own center.

[04] Statistical data on the movement through occupied ports and airports of Cyprus

During the same period, 365 tons of cargo landed and 44 tons of cargo left the occupied area. Of the 726 landing and take offs 500 were realised by the illegal Cyprus Turkish Airlines, 96 by Turkish Airlines, and 68 by Onur Air. The other airline companies that landed and took off are SNS/FLY AIR, ATLASJET, AIR ECON NUROL HAVA, BON AIR, BIZ AIR, TER FEN AIR.

According to the action report by the so-called Civil Aviation Department of the occupation regime, 8611 planes made transit passage.

For the services it provided at the illegal Tymbou airport the so-called Civil Aviation Department's revenue in October was 171 billion TL. In ten months revenue reached to 831 billion TL.

The paper then reports about the passengers arriving in and leaving for abroad using the occupied illegal ports.

Quoting the figures given by the so-called action report of the Port Authorities of the Ministry of Works and Transportation, of the pseudostate, the paper reports that in October, 21 thousand passengers arrived in the occupied area and 17 thousand left.

During the said period 361 ships docked at the illegal Famagusta and Kyrenia ports, of which 156 docked at the Famagusta and 191 at the Kyrenia Tourist Port.

During the same period 2493 vehicles arrived and 2199 vehicles left the occupied area, and 133,503 tons of cargo arrived and 16,232 tons of cargo left.

The revenue received from these two ports reached 274 billion TL.

[05] Imports and Exports in the occupied areas during the first eight months of 2004

Quoting data provided by the so-called Trade-Office Statistics of the occupation regime, the paper reports that during the first eight months of the 2004 the imports reached 504 million USD and exports 48 million USD.

The paper reports that the biggest share in the imported goods with 16.2% went to vehicles and for export with 37% to the citrus produce.

The paper further reports that according to estimates the imports at the end of 2004 will demonstrate a 60% growth compared to 2003 and the increase in exports will reach 40% for the same period.

For bar iron and cement used in the construction business, imports of iron bar reached 22 million USD and cement 8.3 million USD.

The table below shows the imports and exports figures for 2000-2004 (until August) (in millions USD).

Year                   2000          2001         2002       2003
2004
Imports               424.8          271.9        309.4      477.7
504.1
Exports               50.3             34.5         45.3        50.6
48.0

[06] Mustafa Akinci re-elected as the chairman of the Peace and Democracy Movement during the party's first regular General Assembly-The Party calls for an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem

According to a resolution which was adopted at the General Assembly, the PDM called for an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem "instead of putting it into the refrigerator". In the resolution it was also stressed that the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots must be ended in order for the Turkish Cypriots to establish economic-social-political-cultural ties with the international community. It was also stressed that the real aim must be to find a comprehensive solution for the Cyprus problem.

Addressing the Assembly Mr Akinci stated, inter alia, that the Turkish Cypriot community must not stick to the past, but to take decisions for its future actions taking lesson from the past.

As the paper writes a lot of Greek Cypriot and Turkish politicians participated in the PDM's first General assembly. Among them AKEL, DISI, EDI, the Cyprus Green Party, the main opposition Party of Greece PASOK and the Social Democrat People's Party of Turkey sent representatives in the Assembly.

[07] The first regular General Assembly of the Cyprus Socialist Party took place in occupied Cyprus

Addressing the Assembly, Mr Kazim Ongen, the General Secretary of the CSP stressed that the imperialistic power will not be able to solve the Cyprus problem really in favour of the Cypriots and stressed that the road for solution will go through the organisation of a common country, a united people and the formulation of a democratic aim by the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots.

Various members of Turkish and Greek Cypriot parties sent their representatives to the CSP's General Assembly.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist criticizes Gul's statements that Turkey did everything in Cyprus and that the Cyprus problem is over for Ankara

"Abdullah Gul said that 'everything is done and over in Cyprus from our point of view'!

Is the restoration of the constitutional order of the Republic of Cyprus which has been violated among the things that were done and over? No it is not! Is the demand of all the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the Republic of Cyprus, deriving from the international agreements (among the things that were done and over)? No it is not! Is the decrease of the 40 thousand military forces in order to put an end to the occupation of Northern Cyprus (among the things that were done and over)? No it is not! Is putting an end to the illegal transfer of population and the withdrawal of this population which changed the demographic structure of the Turkish Cypriots and assimilated them (among the things that were done and over)? No it is not! Is the return of their political will to the Turkish Cypriots that is seized and occupied (among the things that were done and over)? No it is not! Is the political, economical and legal recognition of the Republic of Cyprus which is a full member of the EU (among the things that were done and over)? Is the signing of a Customs Union agreement with the Republic of Cyprus which (Turkey) has included in its Customs Union (with the EU among the things that were done and over)? Not it is not!

In spite of all these, Mr Abdullah says that 'everything is done and over in Cyprus from our point of view'! That is, these statements mean that Turkey has no intention of realizing anything from the above-mentioned things! Given that everything is done and over, no one of these issues is on Turkey's agenda! While the Greek Cypriots are unilaterally destroying their own land mines, not even getting rid of the land mines and opening new gates is on Turkey's agenda!

That is the way it is. Given that everything is done and over, it means that the issue is closed! It means that all these which we mentioned above are among the issues that will not be done and over!

Saying that 'everything is done and over in Cyprus from our point of view', means nothing else but saying that 'the Cyprus problem is solved from our point of view'.

The point we have reached is a new act of the scenario of America, the first stage of which lasted 30 years. The name of this period is Varnished Status Quo. It is just like the transition from the Stone Age to the Neolithic Age!

No one now in Northern Cyprus believes that the isolation will be lifted and the direct trade and flights will begin. Those who are saying this and write unbelievable nonsense and lies such as 'Britain is Determined' on the titles of the newspapers, are lying to the people looking straight in their eyes!

I am sure that after Abdullah Gul's statements no one will any more ask 'what is going to happen now' or 'what is going to happen from now on'. Because, what is done is done! 'Everything is done and over in Cyprus from Turkey's point of view'! Did you not like what happened? Well, this is your business! Is anyone preventing you?"

[09] The Turkish Chief of Staff announced that efforts are being made for the diplomatic recognition of Ankara´s occupation regime in Cyprus

"Chief of Staff General Hilmi Ozkok has asserted that the developments in Iraq lead to "uneasiness" in Ankara. Referring to the operations launched in Mosul, Ozkok also announced that the uneasiness increases as the clashes approach the Turkish border. The chief of staff also noted that the developments in Iraq were taken up in detail during the meeting that was held within the framework of NATO last week and that Turkey is closely following these developments.

Chief of Staff Ozkok attended the reception that was held in Ankara on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ["TRNC"]. Many politicians and bureaucrats also attended this reception. In answer to our question, Ozkok assessed the recent developments in Iraq as follows:

"The developments are distressing. The clashes are spreading. General Richard Myers, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided detailed information during the last NATO meeting (NATO's 151st Military Committee meeting that was held in Brussels, Belgium on 16-17 November). According to the Americans, the situation is not as grave as the press claims it to be. However, the fact that the clashes are spreading and, naturally, the fact that the clashes approach our borders constitute one of the reasons for our uneasiness. (At this point I asked General Ozkok: 'Do you mean that the clashes have spread to Mosul?" Ozkok briefly answered: 'Yes.') We are closely following the developments. We exchange information and views. Despite the fact that the clashes seem to have subsided during the past two or three days, we are still concerned."

Torumtay: We were not ready to join the war

At this point in his speech, Ozkok joined the group that also included former Chief of Staff Necip Torumtay, who had resigned in 1990 due to the fact that he had not approved the stand adopted by late President Turgut Ozal during the Iraqi crisis. Deputy Chief of Staff General Ilker Basbug was also in this group.

I asked Torumtay the following question: "I read your memoirs very carefully. The following question popped up in my mind: Had you not acted in that manner, would Ozal drag Turkey to a war that Turkey was not prepared for? Did you stop this by acting in this manner?"

In answer, Torumtay said the following: "This was my goal. As a matter of fact, I wrote the book in order to explain this. First of all, our units in our southern border were not adequate for such an operation. It would be absolutely necessary to move units from the western regions. Furthermore, we would have to make long-lasting preparations for such a comprehensive (he is talking about entering Iraq in 1990) operation. The political instructions of such a preparation and of such a deployment had not been given and therefore we were not making such preparations. It was impossible to do this by saying 'we can enter from here and we can exit from the other side' on the basis of hearsay information. This is what we were trying to explain."

Approving with a nod, General Ozkok said the following: "If you do not have adequate information on something, you may believe that it is very easy to do it. The more you know about the issue, the more attention you pay to the difficulties. This way, you take the necessary measures. It is necessary to act with knowledge especially where issues such as operations that concern the future of a nation are concerned."

Ecevit, Cyprus and 17 December

At this point, former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who believes that it is his duty to attend all the "TRNC's" receptions under any condition, also joined the group. Zeki Sezer, the new chairman of the Democratic Left Party and his deputy Emrehan Halici accompanied him. With Ecevit's arrival, the topic changed to the Cyprus issue and the EU. Ecevit believes that the JDP [Justice and Development Party] government has unnecessarily turned the Cyprus issue into a debate with the EU. He asserted that the EU will never risk totally excluding Turkey and that therefore turning the "TRNC" into a bargaining issue may result in taking a step backward in Cyprus . He recalled the fact that the EU officials themselves came to Turkey's door and invited Turkey to Helsinki, adding: "We have been successfully waging a struggle for the past 30 years. We have not taken any steps backward. Everything has been accomplished with Turkey's assistance. Five universities have been established and students from all parts of the world attend these universities." Ecevit asked Ozkok: "It is necessary to further strengthen the "TRNC". Why can the "TRNC" not become a state? What does it lack to this end?" In answer, Ozkok briefly said: "It seems that it merely lacks diplomatic recognition. And efforts are being made to ensure this. With God's will, the "TRNC" will be recognized one of these days. There is no doubt that we mainly focus on Turkey's interests."

Ecevit asked Ozkok what he thinks about Cyprus and the EU. In answer, the chief of staff gave yet another brief answer: "We are waiting for 17 December. We are looking at that direction."

Is Iran producing atom bombs?

US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has resigned, but who will remain in office until the US Congress approves the appointment of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, has noted that Iran is about to produce nuclear weapons. As a result, everyone has begun to pay attention to this issue.

I asked General Ozkok whether or not Turkey has any information on Iran's nuclear program. I also asked him, if Turkey has information in this regard, whether or not this information points to the production of nuclear weapons. In answer General Ozkok said the following:

"I cannot share the information that Turkey has with the public. The unclassified information, in turn, is based on the data of the International Atomic Energy Agency. You are also aware of Powell's statement. I do not want to comment on this issue at this point. Nonetheless, we cannot share the information we have with the public."

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