Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-03-11

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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 Turkish Prime Minister meets EU Commission President and demands start of accession negotiations

[02] Erdogan: I can not be generous on a territory for which blood was shed

[03] Erdogan accuses the media and the Euro Parliament for the excessive force used by the police against peaceful women demonstrations

[04] Erdogan commented on the Cyprus issue prior his departure for Madrid Summit. He expects legalization of his country's occupation of EU territory

[05] The candidates for the so-called presidential elections have been finalised to seven

[06] With a Turkish General on his side Rauf Denktas declares the Turkish government's policy on Turkey's EU obligations

[07] Another JDP deputy resigned

[08] The pseudostate will participate in the biggest tourist fair of the world "ITB Berlin 2005"

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Prime Minister meets EU Commission President and demands start of accession negotiations

During the meeting which lasted 70 minutes, the Cyprus problem was also discussed.

The paper reports that Barroso had asked Erdogan in what ways the EU could contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem which should be handled under the umbrella of the UN.

In his turn Erdogan claimed that despite the fact that the Turkish Cypriots said "yes" in the 24 April referendum, the so-called isolations imposed on them still continue he said: "We are of the view that the EU could contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem by removing the isolations imposed on them".

Erdogan further claimed that Turkey has kept and will keep its promises and added: "Turkey has promised to sign the protocol. We will keep this promise and sign the protocol. As you and other EU leaders had mentioned signing of this protocol does not mean official recognition of the South Cyprus. We consider that the EU will back it promises"

Moreover, private TV Channel NTV (11.03.05-12:00 Hours) broadcast that it is highly possible that accession talks will start on the 3rd of October in parallel with the screening process. The negotiation will start most probably from the Science and Culture chapters.

[02] Erdogan: I can not be generous on a territory for which blood was shed

KIBRIS further reports that to a question on Cyprus Turkish, Prime Minister Erdogan said: "I am generous for the money in my pocket, however, I am not generous on a territory for which blood is shed. I have no right to do that".

Erdogan went on and said that because of Turkey's initiatives, today the occupied area is being accepted in the Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) as "Turkish Cypriot State" as observer. Before, he said, Turkish Cypriots were considered a community and as such were attending the ICO meetings.

When asked to comment on statements that "Turkey has recognized the South Cyprus" Erdogan said: "I have explained the issue of Customs Union with the South Cyprus in my speech I have made at the 17 December summit, where 3 October was given as the negotiation date. We have accepted the paragraph 19 but, we have accepted it, by underlining our reservation. We have said there that "this is not a recognition". Term President Dutch Prime Minister Balkanende, British Prime Minister Blair, French President Chirac and German Chancellor Schroeder, before the international press stated that this is not a general recognition". Statements such as "Cyprus has been ceded" are unbecoming ugly statements."

[03] Erdogan accuses the media and the Euro Parliament for the excessive force used by the police against peaceful women demonstrations

Reminded about the reactions of the European Parliament to the incidents that occurred in Istanbul on 6 March, Mr Erdogan continued to criticize the media. The media are practically rendering a service to Europe, Mr Erdogan stated, stressing that the incidents occurred on 6 March and the EU troika convened on 7 March. Mr Erdogan said: "The matter is being provoked."

Mr Erdogan claimed that there may be times when the police acted emotionally, but these did not reach serious proportions. He said that the mistakes are being addressed by the Interior Ministry. Mr Erdogan asked: "Why are our media not reporting the incidents happening in the West? Why is the European Parliament not assessing such incidents? Their agenda is different."

Yesterday, too, in a statement on the TGRT television station, Erdogan had said that the media grossly exaggerated the incident.

NTV also broadcast that reacting the head of the Turkish Journalist Associations slammed the Turkish Prime Minister for putting the blame on media for depicting the violence by police when they intervened in a women day protest in Istanbul on Sunday.

The head of the Journalist Council, Mr Oktay Eksi, said that Erdogan was seeking an easy solution to the problem and that he was unfair to the media to protect his own police force.

"The incapable administration's first work is to blame the media," Mr Eksi said.

[04] Erdogan commented on the Cyprus issue prior his departure for Madrid Summit. He expects legalization of his country's occupation of EU territory

When a reporter asked, "you are going to meet UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Is there a new proposal about the Cyprus issue? Do you have any expectations from the meetings?" Mr Erdogan said: "Mr. Annan and I will probably discuss the Cyprus issue. Turkey has already fulfilled its responsibility as a guarantor country for Cyprus. This was obviously displayed in last year's referendum. 65 percent of the Turkish Cypriots voted 'yes' to the Annan Plan while 75 percent of the Greek Cypriot side voted 'no' to the plan in the referendums. The Greek Cypriot side which rejected the plan was rewarded and accepted as an EU member on May 1st. On the other hand, 'TRNC' faces 'embargoes'. At that point, EU does have many responsibilities, particularly lifting of 'embargoes' on 'TRNC'."

"Annan clearly mentioned these issues in his report. The Turkish Cypriots and we expressed that we are in favour of peace. The side which is against peace is the Greek Cypriots. Thus, discussing this issue with Greek Cypriots and their approach are important," added Mr Erdogan.

[05] The candidates for the so-called presidential elections have been finalised to seven

The main opposition National Unity Party (NUP) nominated its leader Dervis Eroglu as its candidate in next month's so-called presidential election. The Democratic Party (DP) nominated yesterday its Secretary General Mustafa Arabacioglu to run for the "presidency of the TRNC".

The Peace and Democracy Movement (PDM) announced that they will not support any candidate and they will leave it to the free will of everyone. The New Cyprus Party decided that they will boycott the "elections", by not participating.

According to the decision of the "Supreme Election Board", the number of candidates to run for the "presidency" in the occupied areas of Cyprus increased to 7.

[06] With a Turkish General on his side Rauf Denktas declares the Turkish government's policy on Turkey's EU obligations

Referring to Turkey's obligation to expand the Customs Union Agreement with the ten new EU members till October 3rd (when full membership negotiations between Turkey and the EU would be opened), Denktas said:

"The Turkish government insists that 'it won't recognize the Greek Cypriot administration as a legal Cyprus government till a new partnership government is founded (in the island)'. Besides, Turkey says, 'it will continue to recognize and support the TRNC'. I think there would be such a statement in the future agreement."

Mr Denktas said that if the Greek Cypriots try to urge Turkey to make concessions by using the EU and try to veto Turkey, this would mean that there are other countries behind it.

"This would mean that Turkey is not wanted (in the EU)," added Mr Denktas.

[07] Another JDP deputy resigned

In the statement he issued, Mr Armagan urged that his resignation be assessed as a prerequisite of the oath he took and not from a personal stand. With Armagan's and Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu's resignation, the number of deputies, who have resigned from the JDP, reached five. The Assembly seats of the JDP went down to 361 with Armagan's resignation.

The following is the distribution of seats at the Assembly:

JDP                             : 361
RPP [Republican People's Party] : 169
TPP [True Path Party]           :   6
PAP [People's Ascendance Party] :   1
Independents                    :  12
Vacant                          :   1

[08] The pseudostate will participate in the biggest tourist fair of the world "ITB Berlin 2005"

In the fair, ten thousand twenty three countries, regions, agents and hotel stands will participate. The pseudostate which has been participating in the fair since 1987 will have in the fair a 150-thousand square metre pavilion.

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