Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-03-03

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Green Line Regulation was put in implementation

[02] No decision was made on forming a "coalition government"

[03] Mr Kretschmer criticized Turkey's failure to implement reforms

[04] Turkish media reports that the Prime Minister of Ethiopia will support Turkey on the Cyprus problem

[05] The occupation regime decided to allow the importation of goods from the free areas to the occupied areas of Cyprus

[06] The head of the so-called supreme court of the pseudostate is visiting the Turkish Minister of Justice

[07] RPP deputy resigned

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Cypriot column shows how Ankara controls everything in the occupied part of Cyprus and proves that the "elections" there are far from being democratic

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Green Line Regulation was put in implementation

Mr Van der Meer said that with these amendments, the person who crosses the Green Line from the occupied areas to the free areas of Cyprus can carry goods worth 135 euro for personal use, one litre of alcohol and two packages of cigarettes.

The EU Ambassador with two officials of the EU Commission met yesterday with the so-called Prime Minister Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, the so-called Agricultural and Forestry Minister Mr Rasit Pertev, the mayor of the occupied Lefkosia Mr Kutlay Erk and the so-called deputy Mr Ozdil Nami. Mr Van der Meer said that they discussed how the trade has been conducted within the framework of the Green Line Regulation and other technical matters on how the trade can be developed.

Replying to a question whether he brought any new proposal of the EU Commission on the legal base of the issue, in order for the Direct Trade Regulation to be approved more easily, Mr Van der Meer said: "We are looking for ways to promote some issues and we are trying to do it through diplomatic ways within a very restricted framework."

On his part, Mr Talat said that they will convey their thoughts to the officials of the EU Commission on the Green Line Regulation as well as on other regulations. He also mentioned that the EU Commission will submit a proposal to the Government of Cyprus in order to change the legal ground so that the Direct Trade Regulation can be approved.

[02] No decision was made on forming a "coalition government"

Replying to a journalist's question, after the meeting, as to whether the RTP might be able to establish a government with the NUP, Mr Talat said: "We believe that forming a government with the NUP is always possible and can be considered."

Mr Eroglu replied to a similar question by asserting that Mehmet Ali Talat will be designated as the new "Prime Minister" and saying: "That is what Mr Talat said. We disclosed before the elections were held that the NUP will maintain a position equidistant with all the political parties. We reiterated our view after the elections. Therefore, it [establishing a joint 'government'] is possible."

Mr Talat said that they made assessments and exchanged views during the meeting. However, he asserted that they did not make a decision. Recalling that the "Republican Assembly" will convene for the swearing in of the "deputies" on Friday, he said that the new "Prime Minister" will be designated after the "deputies" are sworn in. Mr Talat asserted that he will hold talks with the NUP after the designation of the new "Prime Minister".

On his part, Mr Eroglu said that they held talks in a sincere atmosphere and noted that they will meet again after Mehmet Ali Talat is designated as "Prime Minister". Stressing that they "neither made a decision nor reached an agreement," Mr Eroglu asserted that they discussed possible developments and the alternatives that exist for the establishment of the new "government". Replying to a question on the most likely alternative, he said: "We have not agreed on anything. So, commenting on what you said would not be appropriate at this time."

Asked whether or not they discussed the "presidential elections", Mr Talat said that the NUP assessed the matter and the RTP decided to appoint a "presidential candidate". However, he noted that he did not ask for NUP's support.

Recalling that the leaders of the four political parties that were elected to the "Republican Assembly" on 14 December 2003 visited Ankara before the "government" was established; a journalist asked whether or not the leaders of the political parties would visit Turkey again. Talat said: "A new process was about to begin on Cyprus at the time. Prime Minister Erdogan planned to inform UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Davos that the Turkish side was ready and that it would be one step ahead. A government did not exist in the 'TRNC' at the time. That was why the representatives of all the political parties were invited to Ankara. However, a similar visit to Turkey now is out of the question."

Asked to comment on the reports that Prime Minister Erdogan will visit the "TRNC", Talat asserted: "I have not been informed on a plan for his visit. We will welcome him if he visits us. We are always ready to welcome him. And, so is Mr Eroglu."

Asked whether or not they discussed the election of the "speaker" of the "Republican Assembly", Mr Talat said that they briefly touched on the "Republican Assembly's" work and noted that they did not discuss the election of the "speaker". On his part, Mr Eroglu asserted: "As the oldest member of the 'Republican Assembly', I will chair the convocation on Friday. I will supervise the swearing in of our colleagues."

[03] Mr Kretschmer criticized Turkey's failure to implement reforms

Mr Kretschmer held a press conference in which he appreciated the Turkish government's determination to continue reforms and technical studies, but stated that he had not seen any progress in implementation.

Recalling that there were cases filed against about 60 publishers and authors in Turkey, Mr Kretschmer said that one of these authors was (world-famous Turkish author) Orhan Pamuk, and any official had not reacted to it (this situation).

Commenting on the statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry which said that there had not been any delay in (Turkey's EU) process and that the EU should also fulfil its own responsibilities, Mr Kretschmer said that they were still working on some documents.

Mr Kretschmer stated that the Accession Partnership Accord would be ready within this year, while the frame document would be completed before full membership negotiations (with Turkey) were opened, and added that there was no need for a new Accession Partnership Accord to continue political reforms because the progress report made public in October 2004 laid the groundwork for those reforms.

[04] Turkish media reports that the Prime Minister of Ethiopia will support Turkey on the Cyprus problem

An official ceremony was held at the National Palace to welcome him. An agreement was signed to prevent double taxation between the two countries at the end of the talks between Mr Erdogan and Mr Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr Meles Zenawi in private and the meeting between the delegations of the two sides.

Addressing a joint press conference, Mr Erdogan said that they planned to increase the volume of trade between the two countries fivefold to total $500 million. He asserted: "We want to establish a Turkey-Ethiopia Business Council. We want to establish the fields in which we can invest, draw up plans on what we can achieve, and make recommendations to our governments. Turkey wants to contribute to Ethiopia's development."

Replying to a question on Cyprus, Prime Minister Zenawi said that the Turkish Cypriots must not be penalized for maintaining a peaceful approach. It has been ascertained that Prime Minister Zenawi also informed Prime Minister Erdogan in their private talks that Ethiopia will support Turkey on the Cyprus problem.

Prime Minister Erdogan asked Prime Minister Zenawi to support Turkey's effort to become a temporary member of the UN Security Council.

The two sides agreed in their talks to establish a Turkey-Ethiopia Business Council.

Prime Minister Erdogan was received by President Girma Wolde Georgis. He later addressed the Ethiopian businessmen.

Stressing that Ethiopia might be a door for Turkey in its effort to open to Africa, Erdogan said that Turkey might be the most appropriate door for Ethiopia in its effort to open to Europe and Asia.

Prime Minister Erdogan opened the office of the Turkish Agency for Cooperation and Development Program Coordination Department [TIKA] in Ethiopia. The center will be Turkey's first TIKA office in Africa. It will be recalled that similar centers exist in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans.

Prime Minister Erdogan rounded up his visit to Ethiopia and departed for South Africa.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (02/03/05) reports from Addis Ababa that Turkish Prime Minister Mr Erdogan announced that the new embassy of Ethiopia will be re-opened by Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr Zenawi during his upcoming visit to Turkey.

[05] The occupation regime decided to allow the importation of goods from the free areas to the occupied areas of Cyprus

According to these decisions, it will be possible for goods from the free areas of Cyprus to be imported to the occupied areas of the island. In addition, the persons who visit the free areas of Cyprus and return to the pseudostate can take with them goods worth 135 Euro per person. The paper writes that the importation of goods from the free to the occupied areas will be conducted in the framework of the normal procedure regarding the importation of goods to the pseudostate.

Moreover, the so-called council of ministers decided that the loans that the occupation regime promised to give prior to the so-called election were also approved. It was decided that 15 million Turkish lira interest-free loans will be given in order to complete unfinished tourist establishments, which have at least a 60-bed-capacity.

[06] The head of the so-called supreme court of the pseudostate is visiting the Turkish Minister of Justice

[07] RPP deputy resigned

Mr Eskiyapan was among the 15 parliamentarians supporting Mustafa Sarigul, who had run for RPP chairmanship during the 13th extraordinary convention. Later on RPP Discipline Board punished Eskiyapan with ''condemnation'' for the support.

Following the resignation of Eskiyapan, the distribution of seats in the Turkish Parliament is as follows:

Justice and Development Party:   363
Republican People´s Party:       169
True Path Party:                   6
People´s Ascendance Party:         1
Vacant:                            1
Independent:                      10

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Cypriot column shows how Ankara controls everything in the occupied part of Cyprus and proves that the "elections" there are far from being democratic

"In the statement Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the other day to KIBRIS newspaper he had said that 'we should not be sentimental at the presidential elections'. As regards the general structure of the interview, even if Prime Minister Erdogan tried to give some messages consisting of wishes and desires, the expression that 'we should not be sentimental at the presidential elections' was noteworthy. Why did he use this expression? What kind of an evaluation had been made in Ankara and they came to the conclusion that the Turkish Cypriots could behave in a 'sentimental' manner in the presidential elections? And why did the sentimental behaviour of the Turkish Cypriots worry Ankara? To whom was Erdogan addressing when he said 'we should not be sentimental'? Taking a brief look at the recent past will be useful for answering these questions.

The discussions for President Denktas being a candidate again goes approximately three months back. Some high ranking officers from the General Staff in Ankara put forward the opinion that 'Denktas must continue his duty in this critical period'. This opinion is conveyed to the JDP government as well. The nationalist wing in the government coming from the Nationalist People's Movement and the Motherland Party supported this view, whereas the group headed by Recep Tayyip Erdiogan and Abdullah Gul kept distance from it.

President Denktas was going often to Turkey in order to give lectures during that period and actually he was meeting with circles that worried the JDP and making statements that were putting JDP into a difficult position. In spite of the fact that Prime Minister Erdogan discussed the issue several times with President Denktas, Denktas was insisting on his stance. The tense relations between JDP and Denktas broke off after the European Union's Summit in Brussels.

While the government was celebrating in Turkey saying that 'we have taken a date by the EU and this is a success', Denktas launched the 'we are being sold for the sake of the EU' campaign. Furthermore, he alleged that not only Cyprus but Turkey as well was about to be sold. This was the breaking off point.

Those in the JDP who have been saying that 'if an agreement is achieved must have the signature of Denktas under it´, were forced to make a step backwards, because the relations between Erdogan and Denktas had been broken off and the relations built on delicate balances had been destroyed.

High ranking officers from the general Staff tried to promote the idea that 'Denktas must continue'. They even wanted to bring the issue onto the agenda during the visit of the Commander of the Land Forces to northern Cyprus. However, this time President Denktas had decided to 'withdraw in the opposition', because he knew very well that he could get nowhere by being in conflict with the Erdogan government. His wish was to be acting as opposition within an environment where the Democratic Party would be in the government.

Turkey's Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that 'there is no need for sentimentality' addressing those who want Denktas to become a candidate again. The message was more for the supporters of Denktas in the JDP and the army, rather than to the Turkish Cypriots.

Prime Minister Erdogan blacklisted Serdar Denktas the day he stated that 'I got angry with the government of Turkey and I voted NO in the referendum'. The fact that Serdar Denktas has recently entered into a 'secret alliance' with elements in the JDP such as Kirca and Abdullatif Sener and tries to make an 'operation' in the JDP was exceeding the limits. Erdogan and Gul abandoned the 'balance element' policy. That is, they withdrew the opinion that Serdar Denktas should be in the government as an element of balance.

The fact that Mehmet Ali Talat will be president is definite. The government may be established on other balances. What kind of balances? Today and tomorrow some unexpected developments may happen. Just like the cold shower of Serdar Denktas. I suggest that you follow the developments closely'".

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