Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-12-09

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Atzo Nicolai explains what the Dutch Presidency understands with recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

[02] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

[03] The Turkish Prime Minister stated that the rules for Turkey's accession to the EU were set in 1963.

[04] Yasar Yakis explains the formula on Cyprus proposed by the Netherlands. Atzo Nicolai met JDP officials.

[05] The TGNA to discuss EU policy on 12 December.

[06] The Turkish Prime Minister refuses to meet the Ambassador of the United States for six weeks.

[07] Turkey and its occupation regime are preparing for the case of Meletios Apostolides.

[08] Serdar Denktas: "Cyprus cannot be a precondition before Turkey's EU membership".

[09] Talat informed the leaders of the political parties about the summit regarding Cyprus held in Turkey last Friday-The Communal Liberation Party did not attend.

[10] Hasmet Gurkan's important statements about his brother's assassination which happened 42 years ago.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] "Towards one million population in the North".

[12] Columnist in SABAH analyses Erdogan´s refusal to meet the Ambassador of the United States.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Atzo Nicolai explains what the Dutch Presidency understands with recognition of the Republic of Cyprus

Speaking to NTV, Nicolai said that the term presidency has to take the pulse of all 25 member states with regard to Turkey. The Dutch minister believes that there will not be any crisis at the summit. The Dutch minister insisted that his meeting with Gul did not take place in a tense atmosphere. He said: "My meeting with Mr Gul was very open and candid. He described the concerns of the Turkish government with regard to the draft. I explained on behalf of my government that the term presidency is working to include in the text expressions that are acceptable to the EU Council as well as all member countries. Mr Gul and I ended our meeting by stating that we are both optimistic about a positive decision next week."

Insisting that the decision to be made on 17 December will be "positive," Nicolai believes that there will not be a crisis over Turkey at the summit. He said: "I think that everyone is determined to have a positive decision next week. I said this to Mr Gul also. However, as term president, we are negotiating with 25 member states. We are also trying to be as transparent and as candid with Turkey as possible. That is why I am here. Prime Minister Erdogan will separately meet with Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende. We have to continue to work this way until the end. Mr Gul also praised this working approach."

Noting that the EU continues to have expectations on the recognition of Cyprus, Nicolai elaborated on the formula the term presidency proposed to Turkey: "What we have proposed is that Turkey accept the Republic of Cyprus as one of the 25 members of the EU. This is required for the start of the accession talks. However this does not mean a recognition that the Cyprus government in the south represents the whole island. This will only be an acceptance that Cyprus is one of the member countries of the EU. What we expect is that Turkey sign the protocol that extends the Ankara Treaty to the 25 member countries."

[02] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus

Mr Tan held the weekly press briefing in which he recalled that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul held a meeting with Rauf Denktas, Mehmet Ali Talat and Serdar Denktas last Friday.

[03] The Turkish Prime Minister stated that the rules for Turkey´s accession to the EU were set in 1963

He said: "If any condition not found in the Copenhagen political criteria is put before us then that would be incompatible with statesmanly seriousness. I also want to say this: The present match began way back in 1963. And no rules can be set in a match already in progress. The rules of the game are clear, and we are now abiding by those rules. The match has started, and you cannot change the rules for the penalty 46-minutes into the game. It is impossible for us to agree to it".

On his part, before his departure to Brussels for the NATO foreign ministers conference, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr Abdullah Gul, said that he will once more convey Turkey's sensitivities over the draft to the relevant officials. Commenting on the EU demand for the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Gul said:

"The solution to the Cyprus problem will be found at the UN. Efforts are in that direction. The recognition of the Greek Cypriot sector could only be a part of a final solution. There can be no question of recognizing the Greek Cypriot sector before a final solution."

[04] Yasar Yakis explains the formula on Cyprus proposed by the Netherlands. Atzo Nicolai met JDP officials

Replying to questions of journalists following the meeting, Nicolai said that they exchanged views about the draft text of decision to be made by EU heads of state and government at their summit in Brussels.

Nicolai told reporters he was optimistic that a positive decision would be made at the EU Summit about Turkey.

Noting that the EU Presidency had been acting on behalf of the all member countries, Nicolai said that the most important thing was to reach a compromise over the decision to be made on December 17th.

Meanwhile, Turkish Parliamentary EU Adjustment Committee Chairman Yasar Yakis told reporters: ''The formula, which was proposed by the Netherlands and included in the other documents about Cyprus, is about broadening of the Partnership Agreement of 1963 to contain the new members. In the past, the Turkish parliament approved it by exceeding all regular procedures; it was published in our Official Gazette; but parliaments of the other countries failed to ratify it. Therefore, it became null and void. Now, the EU wants Turkey to broaden the Partnership Agreement of 1963 to contain the new members of the Union prior to the EU Summit on December 17th by releasing a new statement. And, we tell them, 'we did it in the past, but you did not respond to our efforts. Despite it, the process worked.' We say that although it was not ratified by the parliaments of those countries, it has already worked for the other countries. However, the EU wants us to say that it was put into force with a new statement. This statement is, 'Turkey's starting entry talks with the EU indirectly means that it recognizes the Cyprus Republic.' Beginning of entry talks between Turkey and the EU is a de facto situation. Turkey will not take a step meaning recognition of the Cyprus Republic by exceeding this de facto situation before a solution is found to the problem. The EU should not expect Turkey to take such a step.''

[05] The TGNA to discuss EU policy on 12 December

[06] The Turkish Prime Minister refuses to meet the Ambassador of the United States for six weeks

"It has been disclosed that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not granted an appointment to US Ambassador to Ankara Eric Edelman for six weeks. The Foreign Ministry, in turn, is denying the reports that the relations with the United States are strained. Didem Tuncay reports on the details:

Important developments are taking place on the Ankara-Washington axis. According to our information, Edelman sought to meet with Erdogan six weeks ago in order to conduct comprehensive assessments both with regard to bilateral relations and the developments in the region. It was learned, however, that Erdogan did not grant Edelman an appointment. US officials said: We officially conveyed our request. We continue to wait. Probably the prime minister has a reason for not granting an appointment."

Meanwhile, a statement was issued by the Foreign Ministry on the relations with the United States. Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan, in a news conference today, stated: The reports and comments to the effect that Turkish-US relations are strained do not reflect the truth. Tan pointed out that these reports and comments do not reflect the intentions and policies of the government. The spokesman remarked that the two countries have been close allies for over 50 years, adding: We share common concerns on several regional issues".

Later in the afternoon of 8 November NTV broadcast the following:

"Prime Minister Erdogan has granted an appointment for Monday, next week, to US Ambassador Edelman, who has been asking for a meeting with him for the last six weeks.

It has transpired that Erdogan has not granted any appointment to Ambassador Edelman for the last six weeks.

The American diplomatic sources said that early this morning Edelman asked for a meeting with the Primer Minister for a general discussion but could not get an appointment. The same sources said that there must be a reason for it [for not getting an appointment], but the Ambassador is still waiting for it.

A statement was issued from the Foreign Ministry at about the same time. Ministry spokesman Namik Tan said that reports about tension in Turkish-US relations do not reflect the realities and the intention of the government.

And in the afternoon, the Prime Ministry sources announced that Erdogan has granted an appointment to the US Ambassador for Monday, 13 December, at 1800 [1600 GMT]. The sources asserted that the appointment was issued earlier".

[07] Turkey and its occupation regime are preparing for the case of Meletios Apostolides

The report under the titles: "Row between Greek Cypriots and British over immovable properties in the `TRNC´" in its front page and "The construction sector in the `TRNC´ has been locked onto the trials" in its inside pages, quotes statements by the Chairman of the "Union of the Real Estate Agents of the `TRNC´", Mr Hasan Sungur.

Mr Sungur stated that the Meletios Apostolides against Orams case has caused panic among the foreign investors in addition to the so-called law on purchase of properties by foreigners, which brought the construction sector to a standstill and added:

"The case smells of bad intentions. It reminds of the saying `the thief shouts to scare the landlord´. The Greek Cypriots send a letter to the Orams family in Greek and start the procedure after ten days. This has to be done in Greek-English and Turkish. The case might cause a headache but the `TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs´ has carried out serious preparatory work and support also comes from Turkey. This family will not be left alone".

The correspondent of REFERANS newspaper reports that the significant growth in British investments after the referendum have been stopped after the Meletios Apostolides Vs David and Linda Orams couple.

The paper reports that in the occupied areas of Kyrenia and Karpassia six thousand houses have been built, the majority of which belong to British, and that the number of cases brought to courts by Greek Cypriots so far reached 20.

The paper also publishes statements made by the adviser to the so-called Foreign Ministry, Mr Kudret Akay, who said that until recently the construction of 2,500 houses of maisonette type were under construction, but since November 9 when the decision of the court in the Orams case was delivered the applications for purchases of properties belonging to Greek Cypriots stopped.

[08] Serdar Denktas: "Cyprus cannot be a precondition before Turkey´s EU membership"

Serdar Denktas went on and said that relations continued at the technical level do not mean recognition from the political angle.

Regarding Turkey´s starting of accession talks, Serdar Denktas said that this might happen in October 2005 and that the Cyprus government could not veto Turkey´s EU process that much easily.

Serdar Denktas assessed that in 2005 a solution of the Cyprus problem, despite some progress, is not possible. He concluded by alleging that the "Greek Cypriot side´s Cyprus policy is shameless".

[09] Talat informed the leaders of the political parties about the summit regarding Cyprus held in Turkey last Friday-The Communal Liberation Party did not attend

Mr Talat informed the leaders of the Parties about the Ankara Summit and exchanged views with them regarding the forthcoming 17 December EU Summit and the latest developments on the Cyprus problem. As the paper writes, Mr Huseyin Angolemli, the leader of Communal Liberation Party (CLP) did not attend the meeting. In a statement issued to the press the CLP noted that it did not participate in a meeting which was made "only for show and which aimed to stop the reactions". The leader of the CLP Huseyin Angolemli protested against the wrong practice of the meeting since, as he said, Mr Talat did not inform the so-called parliament that he was attending a Summit about Cyprus in Ankara. He said that if an exchange of views was to be held on the Cyprus problem among political parties, this should have been taken place before the Ankara Summit.

[10] Hasmet Gurkan's important statements about his brother's assassination which happened 42 years ago

Informing that Hasmet Gurkan was a researcher of the Cyprus problem, a writer and a translator, AFRIKA writes that he is also known to be the brother of Ahmet Muzaffer Gurkan, who was murdered in 1962 with another lawyer. Hasmet Gurkan, who faced various pressure after his brothers' death, wrote a statement to the Turkish press one moth after his brother was assassinated.

In the statement, Hasmet Gurkan stated inter alia that his brother and Hikmet Turk, (who was the second person who was murdered) struggled for the establishment of democratic order in the Turkish community and for the freedom of speech and thought. "The circles of monopoly which were afraid of democracy were those who did not want the creation of opposition in our community. This was another reason for the hateful murder", he said.

He also said that those who committed this murder and those who are responsible for other murders are some Turks. "With this I want to purify from any stain the innocent Turkish community. As it did in the past, the Turkish community condemns sincerely any kind of terror", he noted.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] "Towards one million population in the North"

"The ferryboats are coming from Turkey to Kyrenia on massive scale. There are some voyages every day. They come full and go empty. The empty ones are filled up and come again. The traffic is heavy. Until the end of the year it may be come heavier. It is as if this is the last run, the last chance. Those who come will come and those who will remain will remain. Those who heard about the agreement signed between Turkey and the regime in the North are running to Cyprus. What is the agreement? All those who come here until 1 January 2005 are lucky. (They will get) permission to work, to live here and those who have stayed five years will get citizenship as well, if they want.

When was this agreement signed? On 19 July 1999. On 12 October, 2004 a protocol was added to the agreement. When will it get into force? On 1 January 2005. Look at what it is said in the first paragraph of this protocol, which was published in the Official Gazette in Turkey a few days ago:

'The TRNC will, according to the existing laws and by giving in stages residence and/ or working permission to those Turkish citizens who came to the TRNC with their identity of population booklet until the date when this protocol will get into force and to those who exceeded the legal period of staying in the country and stay there illegally and those who are staying and/ or work there for some years in this manner, make sure they benefit from their social insurance rights and give them a legal status. With the Turkish Republic passport, which they will acquire within six months from the authorities in case they apply, those who enter the TRNC with their identity of population booklet until the date that this protocol gets into force, will be given a residence permit and / or working permission for the places where they are currently working or are activated'.

In short this means the following: The right of work and residence is recognized to all the Turkish population which is currently here. Furthermore, all those who will come to the island until 1 January 2005 when this protocol will get into force, will also have this right. Only fulfilling two simple conditions is enough for them. The first one is those who entered with identity to acquire a passport of the Republic of Turkey within six months after their entrance. The second is to get a document in writing from the place where they work. This agreement was allegedly made in order to prevent the illegal work force in Northern Cyprus. However, it can easily be understood that the real aim is to legalize all the population from Turkey.

This is the meaning of the ferryboat traffic that got very intense during the last few days. They will increase as much as they can the population from Turkey in the island until 1 January. First (they will give them) working permission, afterwards permission to live here and after that citizenship. Unfortunately those who must raise their voices against this are remaining silent. And the worst is that they are presenting it to the community as good news. They are saying that the illegal work force is prevented.

The Eroglu administration signed this agreement in 1999. The protocol was made some months ago with Talat. The process of the destruction of the Turkish Cypriots will actually start after this. Do not be surprised if after ten years they tell us that our population is one million. It will be good if only ten thousand of this million are Turkish Cypriots! It will be very difficult for our citizens, who are condemned to be hostages for at least another twenty years, to remain in the island. They will either emigrate outside the country or settle in Southern Cyprus. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will be living in the South and Turks from Turkey in the North".

[12] Columnist in SABAH analyses Erdogan´s refusal to meet the Ambassador of the United States

"It would have been possible not to write of it. But the "change" in the Turkish-American relationship, and the atmospherics in Washington, are serious. One has to read this well, and as the 50-year-old "strategic friendship" changes its style, one has to know well just what Turkey wants.

Let us begin the analysis with the fact that US Ambassador Eric Edelman has been unable for the past three months to get a response to his request for a meeting with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. For American ambassadors to be unable to get appointments from prime ministers is a situation that we never encountered in the past. There is an "unpleasantness" in this. Egeman Bagis, one of Erdogan's foreign policy advisors, is currently in Washington. Yet another of his close advisors, Cuneyd Zapsu, is also on his way to the United States. State Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin just recently came back from Washington.

Yesterday I spoke with high-level Turkish and American officials in order to discuss the relationship, which has once again become tense. One American in an important position began our conversation with a joke: "We are pleased that we have united both the left and the right." Indeed, "hatred for America" has become the "common denominator" in a good many circles, whether leftist, rightist, Islamist, or nationalist. Over the weekend, the newspapers Vakit and Milli Gazete, on the one hand, and Evrensel and Birgun, on the other, all attacked Edelman on account of the "ecumenical" controversy [regarding the inclusion of the word 'ecumenical' in the title of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Istanbul].

The official, who is in the midst of the affair, continued as follows: "Turkey is quickly losing its friends in Washington. I do not know whether they [referring to the Turkish leaders] are doing this intentionally, or because they are not good at crisis management. But the one is just as bad as the other."

Meanwhile, Ankara, from its own standpoint, wants to continue its existing ties with the United States as a "cool marriage" on its path to Europe, and wants Washington not to "get in the way" in terms of 17 December [when Turkey hopes to get an EU decision to begin full membership negotiations]. US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who will meet briefly today at the NATO summit with [Turkish Foreign Minister] Abdullah Gul, is going to ask him "Do you need our help in terms of 17 December?" What the Americans have in mind is telephone traffic of the sort they conducted prior to the Helsinki summit [of 1999, at which Turkey was declared a candidate for full EU membership]. Ankara is inclined to say "No, thanks."

The same American points out that the Turkish-American relationship is not really so "distant" from Europe: "To date, the government has managed a sensitive balance between the EU and the United States. But what has it gotten from this? If Turkey merely wants to make France happy, that is one thing. But Turkey's natural place within Europe is with the countries that are resisting the Franco-German axis. All of them are countries that have close relations with us."

Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin also reportedly had important discussions in Washington.

"Neither we nor the United States have the right to ruin a relationship with such a long history", says Sahin. The Minister, in a meeting he had with Marc Grossman of the US State Department, reportedly explained that Turkey is a democratic country, that [Parliamentary Human Rights Committee Chairman Mehmet] Elkatmis's words [accusing the United States of committing genocide in Iraq] which "went too far" did not reflect the views of the government, and that Elkatmis has been "given a warning".

After all, can the Turkish government really be held responsible for newspaper headlines or for the statements of parliamentary deputies? But the thesis that "These words were for domestic politics; do not pay attention" is not convincing everyone in Washington. The same official says that "It is as if the Turks think that we have no domestic political problems ourselves. But in fact there are three communities in Washington that pay attention to Turkey. Relations with the Jewish lobby have been strained for some time. Greek-Americans have gotten quite perturbed over the most recent "ecumenical" crisis. The remaining group is the Armenians, whose position is in fact clear. The current atmosphere is a total nightmare for us."

/SK

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