Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-02-22

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HURRIYET: They thought she is an "envoy"

[02] "Serdar has become stronger

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat assessed the "elections" results

[04] Rauf Denktas expressed his support to Talat as a negotiator

[05] Rauf Denktas was interviewed by NTV channel

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed Turkish Cypriot "election" results

[07] Atilla Koc appointed as Minister of Culture and Tourism in Turkey

[08] JDP deputy resigned

[09] The Speaker of the Italian Senate, stated that the EU should have assisted in the solution of the Cyprus problem before accepting Cyprus in the EU

[10] The UK is considering starting direct flights to occupied Cyprus after holding the EU presidency

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] "Turkey wins again"

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HURRIYET: They thought she is an "envoy"

The Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, thinking that she is bringing a message from the Prime Minister Erdogan, secretly brought Nil Demirkazik, a former Justice and Development Party, (JDP) contester for Member of Parliament candidacy, sat face to face and had coffee with her and took a picture with her arm in arm.

The Greek Cypriots had perceived Demirkazik´s initiative as a step taken within the framework of a possible meeting between Erdogan and Papadopoulos.

Subtitle: How I met him

One of the JDP´s popular names, and former contester for member of Parliament candidacy, Nil Demirkazik, went to the `TRNC´ to extend support to the Democrat Party, and she has presented a plaque to Rauf Denktas, in the name of the Association for help for the World and Our Country´s Children in Health Education, of which she is the founder.

Demirkazik, considered her arrival to the `TRNC´ an opportunity and wanted to meet the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos.

Demirkazik, spoke about the development that took place three days ago, which lead the Greek Cypriot administration to panic as follows:

Subtitle: In five minutes

"Five months ago I have made an application to the Greek Cypriot Embassy in Greece that I am a JDP candidate of parliament and that I want to meet Papadopoulos. They have sent me a fax message and told me that the Greek Cypriot leader will not be in Cyprus. In the meantime, there was a telephone number on the fax with which I could establish contact with the DIKO Party.

I got in touch with the Director of Visual News Reports of Ihlas News Agency (IHA) Ismail Balli, and told him that I will be meeting with Papadopoulos and asked him to send reporters. However, he said that they had not enough cameramen in the `TRNC´. I went to Ledra Palace border gate. The Greek Cypriot Police did not let me to cross over. Then I called my contact in DIKO and told him/her that I am at the Ledra Palace border gate and wanted to meet Mr Papadopoulos. Within five minutes a car came and took me to the Greek Cypriot side.

Subtitle: We had coffee

We had a lunch with DIKO officials, then they took me next to a theatre, Mr Papadopoulos came out of a car I told him that I have come to extend support support to the Democrat Party of Serdar Denktas. In his turn Mr Papadopoulos told me: `We want good relations with Turkey´. Then I had a complained to him, about the Greek Cypriot journalists that treated me in an unbecoming manner. He told me: `You have met a rude Greek Cypriot´. Then we went to a Café and had coffee and talked for 15-20 minutes. I had no camera so, I asked DIKO officials to take a picture, they did it and gave the picture to me".

[02] "Serdar has become stronger"

"Thus the number of the supporters of the YES vote in the parliament is 25 and is equal again with the number of the supporters of the NO vote. However, at the results of the general elections the supporters of the YES vote decreased from 65 % to 52 %", writes AFRIKA and adds that RTP has no other alternative than establishing a so-called government with the Democratic Party.

"Because it has no other alternative the conditions of the DP are expected to be kept more strictly", argues the paper noting that it is not yet known whether or not the chairman of DP Serdar Denktas will demand the post of the "Prime Minister" of the occupation regime.

AFRIKA reports that the percentage of the participation in the "elections" has been 6 % lower than the last "election" and that the 6 % of the votes were not valid. In this case, those who boycotted the "elections" are the third winners.

Meanwhile, referring to the "election" result Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (22.02.05) reports that RTP, which lost an "MP" in the occupied Kyrenia area, has objected to the results came out of ten ballot boxes in the above mentioned area and asked the votes to be recounted. DP might also object today for the results in the occupied area of Morfou, where it needed twelve votes to elect another "MP".

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat assessed the "elections" results

Asserting that the party invited all the people in the "TRNC" to participate in the rally, Talat noted: "We will outline the Turkish Cypriot people's determination to solve the Cyprus problem and convey the message to the world that we are prepared to hold a dialogue for that purpose."

Talat hinted that the RTP will seek to establish a "coalition government" with the Democratic Party [DP] by saying: "It seems that many alternatives do not exist for the establishment of the new government." He noted: "That has caused uneasiness. I wish we had more than one alternative. We would have felt more comfortable in our assessments and bargaining talks." Talat said that the final decision on the matter will be made at the end of the assessments in the RTP, regardless of the fact that the new structure of the "Republican Assembly" significantly reduced the alternatives. Referring to the electorate who voted for the other political parties, Talat said that he believes many of them want a solution on the island.

Asked to explain the statement he made yesterday to the effect that "a serious and radical change will be made in the `TRNC´ administration," Talat said: "Considering the fact that the votes cast for the RTP nearly brought the party to power by itself in the parliamentary system and the `presidential elections´ that will be held in April, a new change has started to take place in the `TRNC´." Stressing that "a new era is beginning," Talat noted: "The general political stance, that is, the separatist approach opposed to the solution of the problem, is being replaced by an approach that supports the solution of the problem and peace. That means the reversal of a historic trend. That is a change that will put significant pressure on the Greek Cypriot side."

Asked to comment on Mr Rauf Denktas' statement to the Anatolia News Agency in the morning that Talat is able to shoulder the responsibilities of the Turkish Cypriot negotiator in addition to his duties as the "Prime Minister" and that he would prefer someone not involved in politics to be elected as the next "president" Talat said: "I wish the matter was like what Mr Denktas said it was. I, too, would have preferred such a person to be elected as `president´. However, that is not how the matter is viewed in the world. The leader of the community is elected by the people. The `president´ is elected by the people. For example, the United Nations addresses the community's leader. Mr Denktas would have been right if the `TRNC´ was recognized. I do not say that I must be the next `president´. However, not everyone would agree to the negotiations being conducted by a bureaucrat. We need a capable, strong, and trustworthy `president´ who will have a political background. That is because he will be conducting the talks."

Asked to comment on President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Tassos Papadopoulo's statement that he will not inform UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the changes the Greek Cypriot side wants to make in the Annan Plan, Talat said that Mr Papadopoulos does not want a solution in Cyprus.

It will be recalled that Mr Papadopoulos recently replied to Mr Talat's statement that "the Greek Cypriots are strangling the Turkish Cypriots" by saying: "We are strangling them with love. The Turkish Cypriots have become EU members without paying any cost." Asked to comment on his remarks, Talat said: "I do not know if I should reply to him. What he said shows the way he thinks. What he said was very audacious, disgusting, and shameful. I criticize his remarks. The Turkish Cypriots have significantly suffered. They suffered more than the Greek Cypriots. They suffered until 1974. They suffered because of the `embargo´ and `isolation´ after 1974. Meanwhile, I have not been able to understand how anyone can be strangled with love. That is probably a Papadopoulos-style love. Everyone is aware that Papadopoulos is a chauvinist. Even his love is deadly."

[04] Rauf Denktas expressed his support to Talat as a negotiator

Stating that Talat had understood why he (Denktas) could not reach any compromise with the Greek Cypriots (when Talat ruled the country for about 14 months), Denktas said: ''As long as the Greek Cypriots are recognized as the legitimate government of the whole Cyprus, they don't intend to reach any compromise (with the Turkish Cypriots). When they sit at the table, this will only be a part of their tactics.''

Denktas went on saying, ''Turkey's role is very important. Turkey has strategic interests (in Cyprus), and there is a Turkish-Greek balance of power. I think if we (`TRNC´) become part of the EU, without Turkey, and without securing our state, this will mean our end in a short while.'' Pointing out that hard days were ahead, Denktas said: ''I think Talat has proved that he is a good negotiator. And, he has also learned about the Greek Cypriots. Our duty is to help him with our experiences.''

Referring to the "presidential elections" to be held within two months, Denktas said that it was Talat's and Talat's party's decision whether he will be a candidate. Denktas noted that Talat might not run for the "presidency" but serve as a negotiator in the talks with the Greek Cypriots, after getting the required authorization from the "parliament".

[05] Rauf Denktas was interviewed by NTV channel

Sayari asked Mr Denktas to assess the results of the "elections" held on 20 February. He replied that he hoped the Republican Turkish Party, RTP, and its leader Talat realized that they cannot trust the Greek Cypriots; and that they cannot trust the world or its promises. He also recalled that the parties which used to maintain that the Turkish Cypriots can survive without Turkey have disappeared. He added: "I believe that the National Unity Party [NUP] did not do better because it failed to renew itself." Denktas maintained that the people's message to the RTP was "protect our independence, but if you want to reach an accord, do so." He stressed that the RTP now works in harmony with Turkey and that this is as it should be.

On his plans after 17 April when he will end his term as "president" of the "TRNC", Denktas stressed that he will not remain outside politics: "The independence of Cyprus runs through my veins", and added: "I do not have to be at the negotiating table, but "the thing is to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from falling into a situation similar to the 1963-1974 period. In order to achieve that, our independence and sovereignty must be protected. And for that, we must pursue a policy that will make sure that Turkey supports this independence and sovereignty till the end. I will constantly recommend that."

Hacaloglu asked if the Cyprus negotiations will yield any results by 3 October. Denktas emphasized that this is absolutely impossible: "It is also wrong, to believe that 3 October is a deadline. Turkey will do all that is necessary by 3 October and it will continue along its course. What disturbs me is that the ascension talks are open-ended. The EU may ask Turkey to give up Cyprus or something like that. Surely, Turkey will not fall into this trap." Denktas said he believes no steps will be taken to start the Cyprus negotiations before May.

Asked to comment on Papadopoulos' recent remarks, Denktas said: "If we do not realize that the Greek Cypriots' sole policy is to own the whole of Cyprus, and if we fail to see that they are using and will continue to use the EU for this purpose, then we are deceiving ourselves."

Yesiltepe asked him if he really thinks the Turkish media exercises censorship when it comes to him. Denktas replied that the most powerful media organs in Turkey do just that, because they do not believe that Cyprus should be saved or protected. "They consider Cyprus to be an obstacle on the road to the EU, and they think that were it not for Denktas, the Cyprus problem would have been solved," he said.

In reply to a question, the Turkish Cypriot leader denied that the people have retracted their support from him.

In reply to another question, Denktas said that he is writing his autobiography, and that he will write two-three articles a week to the daily HALKIN SESI.

Sayari asked how the Annan plan can be changed to incorporate the "TRNC's" independence. Denktas replied: "For this to change, the United States and Britain who have been playing a trick on Turkey for the past 40 years, must change their own viewpoints. They must understand the true face of the Greek Cypriots, and it is about time they did. They must realize that they cannot let 200,000 Turkish Cypriots in the hands of 800,000 Greek Cypriots who have faith in their 120-year national cause. They must give up the idea of strategically removing Turkey from Cyprus in order to further their own strategic interests. Instead, they must think of this together with Turkey, and decide not to upset the Turkish-Greek balance before Turkey joins the EU. They must say clearly to Papadopoulos: You are person who represents only half of Cyprus. You cannot be and will not be the government of the Turkish Cypriots. You do not have the legal or de facto right to do that. We made a mistake for many years." Denktas then said: "Turkey must tell the EU: You gave me open-ended negotiations. Now you want Cyprus from me. No. I will now make Cyprus an open-ended issue. I hope it will be solved by the time I join the EU, but I will say the last word on Cyprus only when I join the EU."

On his plans after leaving the "presidency", Denktas said he will support one or more parties that have views similar to his. He ruled out establishing a party himself. Prompted by Yesiltepe, Denktas said he is happy with his son's party, adding: "The policy he pursues suits mine, he works intelligently, and he pushed the brakes quite a bit during the previous coalition."

Denktas said trade relations between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot sector are not important.

On the recent visit of US businessmen, Denktas said he feels offended because the Turkish Cypriots are being treated like idiots: "This visit is utterly meaningless, he said Denktas ruled out that steps are being taken to end the Turkish Cypriots' isolation". He explained that the EU will extend aid to those parts in north Cyprus that the Greek Cypriots will allow. "This is very humiliating", Denktas added.

Sayari asked if the United States can persuade Papadopoulos. Denktas replied: "Papadopoulos threatened the United States that it would form an alliance with Syria and Iran. What can the poor United States do? It can do anything it wants. It is the United States that decided in 1964 that Cyprus could not be left to Makarios, to the Greek Cypriots, that it was to be given to Greece, and Turkey was to be given a base or a small island. It was the United States that established the main theme. It is the United States which ever since then has been recognizing the blood-stained Greek Cypriots -- who dug mass graves for the Turkish Cypriots -- as a legitimate government. It is the United States that makes the world recognize the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate government of Cyprus. That is what the Greek lobby does, but it looks like this policy serves US interests as well. Everybody knows how we suffered from 1963 to 1974. Did the United States try to help? What was it waiting for? For us to collapse. Once we collapsed, Cyprus would have been Greece's. The fact that we did not collapse was seen as a crime. Turkey's `peace operation´ was seen as a crime. Turkey prevented a `genocide´, but in return the United States imposed an arms embargo that went on for two to three years. That is your United States. It does not intend to leave Cyprus to the Muslims or to the Turks. It wants to give it to the Greeks."

Hacaloglu asked why he decided not to run in the so-called presidential elections, to which Denktas replied: "Both my opposition, the Turkish media, and consequently the entire world media, the United Nations, the United States, and the British have written 'intransigent' on my forehead." Denktas said he is proud of his intransigence because that is what saved his people from a colonial administration and gave them a state. Nevertheless, he added: "If I am elected again the world will think that Turkey played a trick by having an intransigent person like me elected next to a flexible `prime minister´, so that things will not advance. I do not want to do that to my people, because I believe that my people want a solution. The majority of my people want a solution that will not be at the expense of our independence. I withdrew from the negotiations 10 months ago. Has an accord been reached? Has it not emerged that it is because of the Greek Cypriots that there is no agreement? That because they are the legitimate government, we cannot reach an accord? That because they do not consider us their equals, we cannot reach an accord? I believe it has. Didn't the United States know that? It did. Didn't Britain know that? Of course, it did."

Asked to assess Mehmet Ali Talat's performance as "prime minister", Denktas said that after the referendum, Talat began to see the realities and stresses on every occasion that the Greek Cypriots do not represent the Turkish Cypriots, that bizonality must be maintained, and that we are a different people. Nevertheless, Denktas added: "Talat is not very outspoken on the issue of independence".

Asked to assess Erdogan's performance as prime minister of Turkey, Denktas said: "I learned from him the technique of being two steps ahead of the opponent. I do not walk in front of a person who I don't know what is going to do. It is dangerous. Nevertheless, I believe that he thought he was going to get rid of the heavy burden of the Cyprus problem by means of the very risky maneuver he carried out -- to accept the Annan plan and to make us accept it. He thought that the roads would be wide open after that. I see his current statements, however, where he complains that the United Nations and the EU did not keep their promise."

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed Turkish Cypriot "election" results

''The recent elections, which the international community has also monitored closely, have once again attested to the democratic institutional structure and rule of law in the ´TRNC´. Our expectation is that a new `government´ be formed and assume its duties in the due time, in accordance with the constitutional process.''

The statement went on as saying, ''finding a lasting and just settlement to the Cyprus issue is the common desire and goal of Turkey and the `TRNC´. In this respect, as in the past, Turkey will remain in close consultation and cooperation with the `State´ and `Government´ officials, as well as the political parties of the `TRNC´. Turkey will continue to support the Turkish Cypriot people in every field.''

Moreover, speaking to reporters after Council of Ministers meeting, Turkish Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek recalled that early "elections" took place in "TRNC" on Sunday, and stated that, ''the elections took place in line with democratic rules.''

Cicek added: ''Turkey will start entry talks with the EU on October 3rd, 2005. There are several matters related to `TRNC´ that will be taken up in the talks, particularly relating to Ankara Agreement. We can implement the policies decisively after formation of the government. To this end, we expect a government to be formed soon.''

[07] Atilla Koc appointed as Minister of Culture and Tourism in Turkey

Minister of Culture and Tourism Atilla Koc was born in Aydin in 1946. He graduated from the Ankara University Political Sciences Faculty. Atilla Koc served as the director of a civil administration, as governor, and as undersecretary of the Prime Minister's Office. He knows English and is married with three children.

The position was vacated when deputy Erkan Mumcu resigned from his post and his party.

[08] JDP deputy resigned

In the light of Saribas' resignation, the AKP now holds 365 seats in the parliament, the Republican People's Party 171 seats, the True Path Party 5 seats, the People's Progress Party 1 seat, and the independents 7 seats. One seat remains vacant

[09] The Speaker of the Italian Senate, stated that the EU should have assisted in the solution of the Cyprus problem before accepting Cyprus in the EU

Replying to journalists' questions during a press conference, Mr Pera stated that he appreciates Turkey's efforts as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem and the fact that it encouraged the Turkish Cypriots to say 'yes' to the Annan Plan. The Speaker of the Italian Senate also stated that with the accession of Cyprus to the EU and the future accession of Turkey to the EU the Cyprus problem will become an internal issue of the European Union. "The EU should have assisted in the solution of the Cyprus problem before accepting the accession of the Republic of Cyprus in the EU", he stated.

[10] The UK is considering starting direct flights to occupied Cyprus after holding the EU presidency

According to this report the UK, which is going to hold the EU presidency for the second half of the year 2005, is planning to start direct flights to occupied Cyprus a few weeks after its presidency starts. This idea is taken under "serious consideration", as the paper writes and notes that in a great extent is going to have a symbolic meaning.

The UK is trying from one hand to conduct the direct flights without violating the international law and from the other hand to find a formula for starting charted flights to the island. The paper invokes diplomatic sources according to which it is not compulsory to use national official airport institutions and to get in touch with them is the case of the charter flights conducting. Therefore the Greek Cypriots will not be able to interfere in this subject, writes the paper.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] "Turkey wins again"

"We have just had an election whose outcome changes nothing. For the first time it was not important who would win. There was no fight on the field between those wanting to preserve the system and those wanting to change it. Everybody was in the race to preserve the status quo.

Had the Republican Turkish Party [RTP] that pulled off this success been the RTP of the 1970s or 1980s then the victory celebrations in the street would have been understandable. Just like the remaining left wing parties in the old leftist days when they wanted to change the system the RTP too has had to get by with just a few deputies.

Besides, there was never any place for the left wing in this spectrum.

After playing to become the guardian of the order can the victory won actually be called a victory? True victory is the victory won in the struggle waged against the sovereign powers in this country. Who has been the sovereign power in this country for the past 30 years? Are those who say Eroglu and who are happy at undermining him not doing our painful past an injustice? Who is Dervis Eroglu? Who is the sovereign power? Did not Eroglu do over here whatever Ankara said? What has Eroglu done up to now that has not been at Ankara's instruction?

Especially when it comes to the Cyprus problem. Ankara said, "I would like a settlement" but did Eroglu slam his fists on the table saying, "I do not?" The administration in Ankara has always determined the order in northern Cyprus.

When Demirel was in office it was what he said. When Ozal was in office it was what he said. When Ecevit was in office it was what he said.

Now, whatever Erdogan says it was happens. But above all these offices there is the military. The core of Cyprus policy is identified at the Turkish National Security Council.

Those who think that the recent changes taking place here have happened in spite of the military are mistaken. Erdogan cannot make any move on Cyprus without the military's approval. If doors have opened it is with military approval. If changes are being made to the administration in northern Cyprus they have been made with military approval. If Denktas has been eliminated then this too has happened with the military's approval. If the mines on the Turkish side have still not been cleared. If none of the mass graves in the north have yet been opened. If closed off Varosha has not yet been returned to its original owners and opened up for settlement, what did you think?

Was it because Erdogan was opposed to this? I think not.

In my opinion it is not Erdogan who is resisting by saying not a single soldier will be withdrawn from Cyprus until a settlement is reached. It is the military that is primarily responsible for supervision here. If Turkey changes then we here change to the same degree. Even if it were not Eroglu but the Nationalist Justice Party (NJP) that was standing where the RTP is now they would not go against Ankara's instructions. They too would do whatever Erdogan told them to.

If there were to be a military coup in Turkey now and the government replaced by a junta what would the governing RTP do? Would they resist? It is a pity that even the great success achieved by the party of ours that calls itself the "most left wing" fails to show that we own the political willpower here. These elections were not for the Turkish Cypriots in any case. As the overwhelming majority of the electorate is from mainland Turkey just what political willpower are we talking about here? Just like automobiles bought to replace outmoded piles of junk so Turkey has replaced its representatives here.

Eroglu, whom the people got fed up with after 17 years in government, has gone. He has been replaced by Talat. Eroglu did whatever Ankara told him to do. Talat will be no different. Until the Turkish Cypriots get fed up with him just as they did with Eroglu. Provided of course they can continue to exist on the island without becoming an extinct species".

/SK

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