Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-01-18

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gul to head Turkey´s accession negotiations team.

[02] The Turkish Council of Ministers discusses EU in all dimensions.

[03] Rauf Denktas expresses concern because the Greek Cypriots demand the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army with the help of the EU and expresses confidence in Erdogan´s government.

[04] Talat stated that the Turkish side will exert pressure on Europe regarding the regulations for the occupied areas.

[05] Rehn tells US to back off over Turkey's EU bid.

[06] The occupation regime tries to define its "sea jurisdiction area".

[07] The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce expresses its concern about the "not natural" increase of the constructions in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[08] The so-called ambassador of Turkey to the pseudostate stated that Turkey and the occupation regime will continue their efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Columnist in RADIKAL argues that only Turkey can help the US in its Middle East plans and warns Americans to give all they promised to Turkey and more for their plans in Iran and Syria.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Gul to head Turkey´s accession negotiations team

"Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is going to head the delegation that will conduct accession talks with the EU. In the briefing note sent to Turkey's foreign representatives, and which HURRIYET has gotten hold of, it was announced that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul would be heading the EU accession talks delegation due to the fact that the Foreign Ministry is responsible for the course of the negotiations.

Nothing was said about the identity of the senior negotiator but it was emphasized that this person would "have knowledge and experience in EU matters, have professional qualifications, know foreign languages, be a skilled negotiator, have the ability to communicate well with politicians, the press and the general public, and be knowledgeable about the workings of the bureaucracy". In the document sent to the foreign representatives it was maintained that the "first alternative" for this should be a political personality.

The briefing contained information concerning the formation of three assistant senior negotiator positions, which were listed as the EU General Secretary, the Permanent Representative to the EU and the Foreign Ministry Assistant Under Secretary. It was also stated that should the senior negotiator be a political personality then the EU General Secretary would be tasked as the "First Assistant to the Senior Negotiator" with the ability to stand in for the senior negotiator as and when necessary.

It was noteworthy that the briefing note comprised two scenarios. The only difference between the one scenario and the other was the emphasis that the State Planning Organization Under Secretary could be one of the assistant senior negotiators.

It was stated that the EU General Secretary's Office would become the Senior Negotiator's Secretariat through a change in structure. It was also stated that for this to happen it would be appropriate for experts working in the ministries and institutions to be transferred to the EU General Secretary's Office and to continue their work there. It was further noted that it would be correct for the European Union General Secretary's Office to continue its work as a unit belonging to the Foreign Ministry.

The document did not answer the expectations of NGOs or professional bodies. These institutions will only be used as a Consultation Board. It was emphasized that it would be appropriate for a consultative board to be set up comprising representatives from professional bodies, labor unions, NGOs and universities so that they could be briefed and have their opinions asked while the talks were being prepared and conducted.

EU countries have different models for determining the senior negotiator. It is standard practice for foreign ministers to attend an intergovernmental conference. As the talking partners are all foreign ministers they represent the government as the head of the negotiating delegation. However, the actual negotiations are run by the senior negotiator. On the topic of senior negotiator differences in models are noted within the EU. A foreign minister can undertake the role of senior negotiator. However, as a foreign minister has a lot on his plate and because being the senior negotiator is a tough job this model is not seen often.

Not a day goes by when French politicians do not argue about Turkey. However, a new topic was added yesterday to the debates over Turkey, which the French people are now fed up with Minister of Internal Affairs Dominique de Villepin in reference to Nicolas Sarkozy, who is the chairman of the governing and anti-Turkish Union Party for Popular Movement, as well as to Francois Bayrou, the chairman of the France Democracy Union Party, warned: "Those who are confusing the EU Constitution referendum with Turkey's EU membership bear a heavy responsibility to the French people."

In a speech he gave to journalists at a reception he held to mark the New Year, Villepin stated that care must be taken in democracies so as not to subvert arguments and create confusion. "The politicians must give clear and concise information to the citizens concerning the EU Constitution referendum," he said."

[02] The Turkish Council of Ministers discusses EU in all dimensions

Cicek who held a news conference after the meeting said: ''The future process in EU issue will be more comprehensive and tiring. We will work harder in the next period. Negotiations on 31 issues will be opened, and we will be in a very hard negotiation process regarding issues such as free movement of capital and services, law of firms, foreign policy, education and consumer rights.''

''Turkey will enter a screening process as of October 3rd, 2005, the beginning date of talks. Actually, we want this process to start earlier,'' added Cicek.

''Because Turkey earlier took steps about this issue when compared with other countries which started entry talks. We have earlier pursued activities on whether Turkey's own regulations comply or conflict with EU acquis. We decided each ministries to pursue their own screening process, and to revise issues on which we could not focus very much,'' said Cicek.

Cicek noted: ''There are EU Directorate Generals or Departments in every ministries which will pursue screening process in the ministries' own mission areas. After this process, we will show the differences between Turkish regulation and EU acquis, and what kind of legal arrangements they require.''

''We did not discuss who will lead the entry talks and which model we will use. We will take a decision about this at the last moment,'' he added.

Cicek said: ''Turkey is ready to start talks with the EU early, however some EU countries have domestic problems regarding Turkey's candidacy.''

When a reporter asked whether the Secretariat General for the EU will be turned to a ministry, Cicek said: ''Evaluations continue about this issue. There are other ministries which can be changed as EU Ministry. Especially, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry can be considered for this.''

When asked whether the government was officially conveyed that screening process will start on October 3rd, Cicek said: ''Entry talks will start on October 3rd, but we want the screening process to start earlier than that date.''

Regarding Iraq issue, Cicek said: ''Turkey's demands, expectations and rejections about the Iraq issue are clear. We have conveyed them to officials of the United States and Iraq.'' Cicek said: ''Terrorism is a threat and crime for all humanity. All countries should cooperate for a successful fight against terrorism. Organized crime, human smuggling and illicit drug trafficking are dangerous for all people. For a rooted and fruitful result, cooperation in the fight against these issues is necessary.''

When asked whether ministers made an evaluation regarding the Iraqi elections which will be held 13 days later, Cicek said: ''Turkey supports the election process in Iraq.

We want Iraqi elections to be held. This election is important to normalize the situation in Iraq. We want all people in Iraq to attend the elections,''

Mr Cicek further said: ''We are aware of the difficulty of the milieu in Iraq, but election is an important step to end this chaotic situation.''

[03] Rauf Denktas expresses concern because the Greek Cypriots demand the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army with the help of the EU and expresses confidence in Erdogan´s government

Mr Denktas made these statements in Hatay (Alexandretta) where he went to participate in a conference about Cyprus and met there with the Governor of Hatay Abdulkadir Sari and also had a meeting with Mr Erkan Emekci, the Minister of Labour and Social Security.

Stressing that Hatay has a very important place in Turkey's history, Mr Denktas stated that it is the last "work of art" from the things that Ataturk gained for the country and added that in that period Hatay and Cyprus had the same importance and that Ataturk gained Hatay for the "motherland", but Cyprus was left to the British.

Mr Denktas went on and said the following: "The biggest demand of the Greek Cypriots is to remove the Turkish army from the island. What they did not do with weapons, they want to do it using the EU. We trust the JDP government. We appreciate their efforts. Moreover, we accept the promises they have given as historical documents". Denktas also added that his biggest wish is to see before he dies the pseudostate to be recognised by every country.

[04] Talat stated that the Turkish side will exert pressure on Europe regarding the regulations for the occupied areas

The leader of RTP and so-called Prime Minister, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, during the meeting, said: "We kept our word to Europe and to the world; but the solution could not be materialised because it was not up to us. Because of this, Europe and the world have now our word and we can say to them 'keep also your word'."

Noting that they would exercise pressure in order that Europe will keep its word regarding the lifting of the "isolation", Mr Talat said that the elections will be the Lydian stone (touchstone) regarding keeping or not of their word.

Finally, Mr Talat stated that the European diplomats ask his "government" about the way the issues of the financial aid and the trade regulation must be discussed and that the UN Security Council also expects the results of the "elections" and added: "Putin's last statement shows that the world thinks how this problem can be solved. Because this problem is a nuisance and it also affects the EU".

[05] Rehn tells US to back off over Turkey's EU bid

Speaking to Finnish radio, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that Turkey's EU bid was a matter for Europe, not Washington. 'I presume that the Americans are smart enough to understand that this really is an issue that concerns Europe, not the United States,' said Rehn.

The US has in the past pushed the EU to admit Turkey to its ranks, pressure that has widely been seen as counterproductive.

'I hope that the United States understands that this is a matter of European Union decision making, and although we work with the United States on this and on many other issues, the United States should respect the EU's own pace,' Rehn said."

[06] The occupation regime tries to define its "sea jurisdiction area"

The paper writes that the "draft-law" under the name "Sea Jurisdiction Areas" has been published in the so-called official gazette. Anyone who has any views or suggestions can submit them in writing to the "presidency" of the so-called assembly, notes AFRIKA adding that in the general justification of the "draft-law" it is noted that the need for such a "law" derived from the fact that the government of the Republic of Cyprus has put into force a law on the issue.

[07] The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce expresses its concern about the "not natural" increase of the constructions in the occupied areas of Cyprus

In a 20-page report under the title "The Turkish Cypriots and a communal evaluation", the TCCC notes that the professional organizations concerned with the issue have expressed the opinion that the low quality and the lack of infrastructure might cause problems to many new buildings. The TCCC points out that this frantic increase in the constructions might soon cause successive bankruptcies in the sector.

Furthermore, the TCCC argues that the vision of the Turkish Cypriots is reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem until 3 October 2005 on the basis of the Annan Plan and within the framework of the international law.

The Chamber expresses the opinion that time works against the Turkish Cypriots and that every day the risk of the Turkish Cypriots loosing the rights they have gained as a community gets bigger.

Referring to the economy of the pseudostate, the TCCC notes that there is no continuous economic growth. It also says that about ten thousand Turkish Cypriots work in the free areas of Cyprus and that these persons contribute to the economy of the occupied areas the amount of 180 million dollars annually.

The TCCC argues also that the Turkish Cypriots must exert efforts and pressures in the direction of the lifting of the so-called isolation of their economy.

"The lifting of the isolations will make us feel at ease. We must make lobby on this issue and exert pressure. This must be our daily effort as Turkish Cypriot side and we as Chamber of Commerce are already doing what is necessary", says the report.

[08] The so-called ambassador of Turkey to the pseudostate stated that Turkey and the occupation regime will continue their efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem

Mr Karahan stated that the countries that want the solution of the Cyprus problem must persuade the Greek Cypriot side which did not say 'yes' (about the solution), instead of awarding it. He also said that the Turkish "embassy" and the Aid Committee in occupied Cyprus will continue their efforts for the increase of the prosperity level of the Turkish Cypriots.

The pseudo-ambassador also said the best thing to do for the solution of the Cyprus problem is to take serious and certain steps and alleged that Turkey has never deviated from this but always wanted the solution of the Cyprus problem. "However we do not want any solution. We want a solution which will safeguard the rights, the interests and the equal political rights of the Turkish Cypriots. We want the whole world to understand this", he said.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Columnist in RADIKAL argues that only Turkey can help the US in its Middle East plans and warns Americans to give all they promised to Turkey and more for their plans in Iran and Syria

"Turkish-US relations are on the eve of new developments. But, firstly it would be useful to recall recent history. We need to emphasize the incident of the "troops motion" rejected at the National Assembly before the invasion of Iraq began, as well as the mood created afterwards.

The United States was initially shocked at how the upbeat mood created by the Justice and Development Party [JDP] leadership unexpectedly took a U-turn. A psychological campaign was started both at home and abroad to create a demoralizing and very pessimistic atmosphere in Turkey.

Firstly, the General Staff was blamed for not taking the initiative. US Assistant Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz and State Department Political Relations Under Secretary (and former US ambassador to Turkey) Marc Grossman played a role here. The former belittles Turkey and even insults the country. The latter says, "Pay the necessary attention to his words." The Turkish friends he had made here with his Turkophile attitude stood amazed.

The United States spokesmen (let us use that word so as not to use a different one, shall we?) in Turkey as well as a group of colleagues and people in a position to talk about strategy tried to propagate the view: "If Iraq falls under US occupation then this country will set up bases in Iraq for use in Middle East operations. It will no longer need Turkey."

The mood they wanted to create here needed to be strengthened by getting US forces to detain a Turkish Special Forces team operating under clearly defined rules on a clear mission in Al-Sulaymaniyah, then in a demeaning gesture put sacks over the soldiers' heads. The military and civilian authorities, no doubt aware of their responsibilities such as Turkish public opinion, remained cool-headed in the face of this incident and skirted around it.

The United States is now trying to shape its relations with Turkey according to the new situation at the start of a new era. It can see how mistakes made in the former era went down with the Turkish people. It wants to create the necessary conditions both to dispel this mood and to put into effect the new plan for the Middle East starting with Iraq. They can refute it if they like but the United States does have many military requests to make of Turkey. Chief among these requests is gaining broader usage rights of Incirlik Airbase, which is of vital importance for all major operations to be carried out in the Middle East. This requires an agreement, made many years ago with well-known details, to be altered.

Incirlik has been used by the United States since the 1950s through a series of delicate stages. During the Baghdad coup of 1958 Turkey found out through the foreign press that the United States was using this base to fly units into the region. This prompted the base coming under Turkish Armed Forces control after 1960 in a couple of stages. Now the Turkish Air Vice Marshal at the base is responsible for the full implementation of the agreement.

The United States has been checking Turkey's pulse constantly for the past few weeks now. Knowing full well how people like Wolfowitz and Grossman lost their standing here it sends others in their stead. After Assistant Secretary of State Armitage the United States is now sending a new name to Turkey, an assistant under secretary at the State Department, Laura Kennedy. Rather than send Wolfowitz the United States is sending over a four-star general to talk to the military. If relations between both countries were taken on solely a personal basis nobody could expect either the military or our diplomats to forget what has been done to Turkey in the last two years and act accordingly. However, emotions do not enter relations between countries. You have to learn from what happened to you.

Both countries have a mutual interest in keeping relations at a certain level. Therefore, there was no atmosphere of hostility felt at the talks in Ankara that lasted a few days. However, at various levels it is evident that Turkish officials are going to act in the knowledge of what kind of US plan they are facing. The United States is slowly pulling its forces out of Europe, which has lost its importance, and into the Middle East. However, the bases it is acquiring in East Europe cannot meet the need. After Iraq the United States has a beef with both Syria and Iran. It needs Turkey.

The Turkish side has diplomats, soldiers and politicians in this game of chess.

All of them are aware of the various aspects of the events over the past two years.

Without giving something in return it will be difficult for the United States to get what it wants out of Turkey because so far up until now it has not given Turkey the support it wants in many fields starting with the Workers Party of Kurdistan, something it has promised to do."

/SK

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