Cyprus PIO: Turkish PRess and Other MEdia, 05-04-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] When Turkey needs the US it is a 'strategic partner', when the US asks for the obvious a long 'shopping list' appears as precondition.

[02] Incirlik O.K. for the British who will preside over the EU as of July.

[03] NTV quotes Gul saying Turkey is working on the Taiwan model for an EU member state, while A.A. quotes him denying it.

[04] Akayev to seek asylum in Turkey. Gul praises the influential role of Turkey which can compete western democracies in human rights, but it continues to violate all the basic human rights of the Cypriots.

[05] Asking for early elections would be treason according to Erdogan.

[06] Rauf Denktas pleased with Erdogan who now seems to be promoting recognition of Ankara´s puppet regime in occupied Cyprus.

[07] Erkan Mumcu was elected Motherland Party's new General Chairman Another member of the Republican People's Party resigned and jointed MP.

[08] Mehmet Ali Talat: 'Denktas still continues to think that I am a traitor'.

[09] OIC and Islamic Development Bank promise support to the occupation regime - Serdar Denktas´ view of the 'Taiwan Model''

[10] Explosives have been confiscated in Pyla and occupied Pergamos village.

[11] Lagenbdijk supports that there is a new proposal on the table according to which Turkey will withdraw troops in order for direct trade to start.

[12] Former Turkish President General Kenan Evren: 'Yes deep state exists it is a reality'.

[13] Baykal to visit occupied Cyprus on the 7th of April.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Turkish paper argues that the PKK is about to carry out acts and raids against Turkish-army-held north Cyprus.

[15] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses the developments in Kyrgyzstan in relation to the U.S plans on Incirlik, Iran and Syria.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] When Turkey needs the US it is a 'strategic partner', when the US asks for the obvious a long 'shopping list' appears as precondition

Gul further said that the latest developments on Iraq will be discussed at the meeting, which will take place in Turkey with the participation of the foreign ministers of neighbor countries to Iraq.

[02] Incirlik O.K. for the British who will preside over the EU as of July

'Turkey has failed to respond to a US request for the use of the Incirlik Air Base as a Logistics Supply and Transfer Center during the past nine months. However, it has agreed in principle to a request by Britain, which will take over the EU presidency in July. Britain asked three months ago to be allowed to use the base to rotate its military units in Iraq. The base will also be used by the flight personnel of the British planes that fly to Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul conveyed the "good news" to Secretary for Foreign Affairs Jack Straw when they met in London on 14 March.

London informed Ankara that the crew of the planes that fly from Britain to Afghanistan return without having an opportunity to rest and asked that they be allowed to take a break at the Incirlik Air Base. The crews of the planes that are bound for Afghanistan will now be able to rest at the base. New crews will fly the planes to Afghanistan to deliver their cargo. That will give an opportunity to the crew members to rest for 10-12 hours at the Incirlik base before they return to Britain.

The transport planes that fly to Iraq will be allowed to land at the base to change their crews and refuel. However, military troops and cargo will not be allowed to remain at the base. The permission for the use of the base will only apply to the C-17 military transport planes. It will not apply to warplanes.'

[03] NTV quotes Gul saying Turkey is working on the Taiwan model for an EU member state, while A.A. quotes him denying it

'Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has said that the relations Turkey will be establishing with south Cyprus will be economic. Noting that work is being conducted on the Taiwan model, Gul added that in this way Greece will be considered the political respondent without the recognition of south Cyprus.

Gul, who addressed the JDP [Justice and Development Party] consultation meetings being held in Kizilcahamam, responded to deputies' questions and explained the path to be pursued regarding the Ankara protocol. According to information obtained, Gul said that the government is working on the Taiwan model and that this would be a suitable model for establishing relations with the Greek Cypriot sector without politically recognizing it. Recalling that many countries, among them the United States, have established relations with Taiwan, Gul continued: `None of these countries, however, views Taiwan as a political respondent. They establish their political relations with China´. Pointing out that Turkey will establish and develop economic relations with south Cyprus, Gul said: `Our political respondent, however, will be Greece. We will definitely not recognize the Greek Cypriot administration politically´.

Replying to deputies' questions, Gul confirmed that the Washington administration has made extensive requests with regard to the use of the Incirlik Base. He said: `It is, however, out of the question for us to make special arrangements with the United States on the issue. All decisions will be made within the framework of the UN and the NATO resolutions´.

Ankara Anatolia news agency A.A. (03.04.05) reported the following from Ankara.

'Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul left for Jeddah on Sunday on his regional tour covering Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Responding to questions of journalists reminding him about the news to the effect that the Taiwan model was considered for Cyprus, Gul said that he didn't say such a thing. Noting that the JD Party meeting in Kizilcahamam was closed to the press, Gul said: "The quotations referred to me in newspapers today don't belong to me."

When asked about the words of Motherland Party (MP) leader Erkan Mumcu targeting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gul said that he was sorry about those words and that he didn't approve Mumcu's style in politics.

Gul further said that certain statements that were printed in newspapers and supposedly were given by him on Taiwan as being a model for Cyprus were actually not his statements.

Gul said: "Some of the statements given in quotes were not actually my statements. I read these sentences in the newspapers. The meeting I attended was closed to the press. It is impossible for anyone to assert that I gave those statements. Surely, I provided information on Cyprus, protocol matters and the EU process to my fellow deputies. Yet those statements being shown as mine are really not my statements," he noted.

Asked a question on the Incirlik air base, Gul replied that his administration will shortly answer some demands on this matter. We are reviewing certain topics pertaining to Incirlik, remarked Gul.

Gul stressed that the ruling Justice and Development Party (JDP) is very transparent on the subjects of Incirlik and Turkish-American relations. "What I say to the deputies is the same as I say on tv and in press conferences. Turkish-American relations are extremely important. Our relations have different dimensions including military, political, cultural and economic. It is our high priority as JDP to continue such relations. Within such a framework, there could be mutual requests."

[04] Akayev to seek asylum in Turkey. Gul praises the influential role of Turkey which can compete western democracies in human rights, but it continues to violate all the basic human rights of the Cypriots

'Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has said that Askar Akayev, the ousted leader of Kyrgyzstan, wants to come to Turkey.

The Foreign Minister discussed foreign policy developments during the Justice and Development Party consultation meeting in Kizilcahamam. In reply to questions from deputies, Gul said that in foreign policy, Turkey is an important and influential country, and that it can now compete with the West in terms of democracy and human rights. He added: `I can cite you an example. In the past, respectable statesmen used to seek asylum in Western countries. Last week, Akayev, the ousted president of Kyrgyzstan, asked to come to Turkey. This shows the progress we have made. Akayev may prefer Turkey´.

We have learned that Akayev, who is still in Russia, conveyed his request for asylum from Turkey through high-level mediators. We have also learned that despite the questions of the deputies, Foreign Minister Gul declined to elaborate.'

[05] Asking for early elections would be treason according to Erdogan

'Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that mentioning early elections now meant treason to the country.

Responding to questions of journalists asking if the positive developments in the economy could be harmed due to early elections, Erdogan said: `Using the expression of early election now means treason to this country. The most important thing for stability in economy is trust and stability...In periods when there were multi-party coalitions in power, Turkey could not develop well. The country recorded progress when one-party came to power. There is no meaning in bringing onto agenda early elections when there is stability and trust in the country and when there is no need for early elections. Early elections can not be in question.´

Stressing that his party came to power for five years and a government which has 65 percent of the seats in the parliament was in power, Erdogan said asking for early elections now meant treason.'

[06] Rauf Denktas pleased with Erdogan who now seems to be promoting recognition of Ankara´s puppet regime in occupied Cyprus

'Rauf Denktas, president of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ [`TRNC´], has said that there are signs to the effect that Ankara is reviewing its Cyprus policy. Denktas said that he got this impression from the statement issued by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the government aims at turning the `TRNC´ into a country that is recognized throughout the world. Denktas added: `Erdogan's words have allayed our fears. It seems like a new assessment is being made´.

Expressing the hope that Erdogan's words are a sign that the Annan Plan has been removed from Turkey's agenda, Denktas noted that he is concerned that the Annan Plan will be brought back to the negotiating table. Pointing out that whatever Turkey says will be done with regard to the Cyprus issue, Denktas continued: `We are crossing a very dangerous bridge. With God's help we shall not fall off´.

Explaining that pressure has increased because of the conciliatory stand adopted by the Turkish side, Denktas said: `There are certain developments that I am unable to comprehend. I cannot shoulder this responsibility, and this is the reason why I am leaving my position´.

[07] Erkan Mumcu was elected Motherland Party's new General Chairman Another member of the Republican People's Party resigned and jointed MP

At the convention, which was held at the Ataturk Hall of Sports, 859 of the registered 1,052 delegates cast votes. Isparta Deputy Erkan Mumcu won 852 of the valid votes out of the 859 votes cast and was thus elected general chairman in the first round of voting.

Mumcu, who will become the sixth general chairman of MP, said: "This is a small beginning for great horizons. Starting on Monday we will have a very long road ahead of us. We will walk that road together with the nation, the youth, the women, peasants, city dwellers, and workers."

Mumcu insisted that he did not mean to malign Prime Minister Erdogan and that Erdogan has certain attributes that are superior compared to other politicians. Mr Mumcu charged that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will not be able to govern Turkey "because he does not have the knowledge, experience, or the skills needed to govern this country."

Mumcu also criticized Erdogan's remarks with regard to deputies who resigned from the Justice and Development Party (JDP) and joined other parties. Addressing Erdogan, Mumcu said: "Do you have the courage to say that the deputies who defected from the Republican People's Party (RPP) to the JDP did not do so following bargaining in order to receive contracts? If you have the courage, answer my question before the nation looking it in the eye. Tell us, what did you give those who defected from the RPP? Are you going to tell us, or shall I say it?"

With the latest development the MP is the third larger party in the Turkish Assembly with ten seats.

Mr Muhsin Kocyigit, RPP Deputy from Diyarbakir, resigned from his party to join MP. With Mr Kocyigit's resignation, the number of the deputies that resigned the RPP during the last weeks reached the number 12.

Mushin Kocyigit, who represents the south eastern province of Diyarbakir in the parliament, announced his resignation late Thursday. He said that he would be joining the Motherland Party (MP) as soon as parliamentary by-laws allowed. Under Turkish law, a deputy who resigns from one party may not join another until 24 hours has passed.

With Kocyigit's resignation, the RPP has 162 deputies in the 550 seat Grand National Assembly. The ruling Justice and Development Party (JDP) of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which has also been hit by a wave of resignations, has 357; the True Path Party (TPP) six; MP six; the Socialist Peoples' Party (SPP) five; and the People's Ascendance Party one. There are currently twelve deputies sitting in the parliament as independents and one seat is vacant.

[08] Mehmet Ali Talat: 'Denktas still continues to think that I am a traitor'

When asked whether he intends 'to sell out' Cyprus as claimed by some people Talat answered: 'This country is mine, Mr Yener, and I have no other place to go. Where could I go? What shall if do if I go to Turkey? It is an unknown place. I have no relations, no relatives, no family there. I have only one homeland and that is Cyprus, how could I sell it? If you, as Turkey try to sell it, I will stand up and oppose to it. As far as I am concerned, the questions, 'could you sell Cyprus?', could be asked to a Turkish prime minister, because he is not living here. The Turkish prime minister could sell Cyprus for another interest for another major interest, he could give out Cyprus, he could withdraw (troops). He could write off all his rights, he could announce `I am withdrawing my army´ and he could give up. But, it is impossible for a Turkish Cypriot to do this, how could he do that? Especially, a Turkish Cypriot who is elected by the people´s vote. I have always loved my country. Those who alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are lazy they are unfair, they are doing injustice to the Turkish Cypriots. For years, because of isolations, the Turkish Cypriots waged an existence struggle'.

When asked why he is 'cool' towards Turkey, Talat said: `It is true that from time to time I took a stance against Turkey, but when? When, Turkey without any reason openly intervened in our domestic affairs. There are several examples of these interventions. Turkey openly backed Rauf Denktas´ policy of conflict. This was a policy based on tension. For Denktas there were traitors who were getting financial aid from abroad. And I was one of them. He still believes that. It is not possible to change this. Turkey, as state policy, has openly supported this Denktas. I have no personal problem with Denktas, in fact we have good relations'.

When asked whether he, his wife or his children acquired Cyprus Republic´s passport, Talat answered in negative. To another question, whether he would oppose if his son or his daughter get married to a Greek Cypriot woman or man, Talat said: 'I think, as parents neither my wife nor me would have enjoyed a Greek son-in-law or a daughter-in-law. Our choice is that both of them should marry to Turkish Cypriots. As you know, you too are a parent, at the end they are our children and you cannot be very tough with them, after all it is their life. Once he or she is in love will not listen to you too'. When asked about his ideology during his university years in Ankara at the Middle East Technical

University, Talat said that he was pro-Soviet Union Marxist.

[09] OIC and Islamic Development Bank promise support to the occupation regime - Serdar Denktas´ view of the 'Taiwan Model''

In statements after the meeting, Mr Denktas expressed his happiness because he visited the headquarters of the OIC for the first time and added that there is great sympathy for the Turkish Cypriots after the April referendum. However, he complained, the isolation on the Turkish Cypriots is still continuing.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriots are a part of the OIC, Mr Denktas said that their aim was to improve their relations with the Islamic countries in the fields of the economy, tourism, society and science in line with the decision taken earlier by the Foreign Ministers of the OIC on Cyprus and having as target the lifting of their so-called isolation.

Furthermore, Mr Ihsanoglu said that the organization continued its efforts on Cyprus in line with the decision taken in Istanbul. Illegal Bayrak television (03.04.05, internet version) reports that Mr Ihsanoglu stated that the organization will launch initiatives on the Cyprus problem at the United Nations and other international organizations to intensify efforts towards reaching a solution.

Meanwhile KIBRIS (03.04.05) writes that after his meeting with Mr Ihsanoglu, Mr Denktas met with the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Ahmet Muhammed Ali and asked for the Bank's contribution for the restructure of the economy of the occupied areas of Cyprus. Mr Ali expressed their wish and readiness to help the 'Cyprus Turkish State' as it is called within the OIC, or the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus', as 'it is its right name', he alleged.

In addition, as Ankara Anatolia news agency reported, when recalled that discussions pertaining to ''Taiwan Model'' for Cyprus took place in Turkish media, Mr Denktas said this model could be acceptable for the pseudostate in case a solution could not be found.

Mr Serdar Denktas said the primary goal in Cyprus was to form a common formation with the Greek Cypriots. ''However Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos did not want to accept the Turkish Cypriots as interlocutors. It is impossible to find a solution as long as Papadopoulos insists on this point and as long as the international community fails to force him for a resolution,'' Denktas noted.

''UN Secretary-General says he would not start a new initiative if the two parties do not have the intention. This is in a sense a decision to continue the blockade against Turkish Cypriots. We cannot wait forever for Papadopoulos until he wishes. Turkish Cypriots cannot be sentenced to live under uncertainty,'' Denktas emphasized.

''Taiwan model at this point comes as an economic and political model. Nobody should expect us to sit and curse our fate. Of course a solution will be found and the Taiwan model is one of those ways of solution,'' he said.

[10] Explosives have been confiscated in Pyla and occupied Pergamos village

Three persons have been taken under custody and were brought before the 'court' of occupied Famagusta. They will remain under custody for three days.

The 'police' are concerned because there might be more explosives and are continuing their operation in the whole region, writes KIBRIS.

[11] Lagenbdijk supports that there is a new proposal on the table according to which Turkey will withdraw troops in order for direct trade to start

As regards to this proposal, Turkey will present a clear action plan according to which it will be committed to sign and apply the Additional Protocol before the 3rd of October and will also withdraw the Turkish troops from Cyprus. As regards the Greek Cypriots, in response to this, they will declare that they accept the direct trade.

Under the subtitle 'KIBRISLI's interpretation' the paper writes that in case this proposal will be accepted and official negotiations start, the Cyprus problem will be set out of the UN's orbit and a new procedure will start which will open the road for putting the Cyprus problem under the EU roof.

[12] Former Turkish President General Kenan Evren: 'Yes deep state exists it is a reality'

[13] Baykal to visit occupied Cyprus on the 7th of April

As the paper writes, Mr Baykal will visit occupied Cyprus on the 7th of April in order to thank the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas for his struggle so that the 'TRNC' will be accepted as a free and independent state.

Mr Baykal also called the countries in the region to support the pseudostate if they really want balance and peace in the region. He also stated that the fact that 'south Cyprus', as he called the Republic of Cyprus, became member of the EU without the solution of the Cyprus problem was 'a big mistake'. He also added that Cyprus' accession to the EU did not serve peace and the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Turkish paper argues that the PKK is about to carry out acts and raids against Turkish-army-held north Cyprus

'The primary target of the terrorist organization, which is sending armed militants to the island, is young officers and SNCOs. The organization, which acts with outside support, plans to bring left-wing terrorist groups to its side and force the mainland Turks on the island to migrate. What is wanted on Cyprus is for the terrorist card to be played.

Among the activities that the Workers Party of Kurdistan [PKK] is planning to carry out are armed, or mostly unarmed, actions aimed at disturbing the peace. The terrorists have added impetus to their propaganda activities aimed at citizens on the island of Kurdish origin. They firstly identify the correct houses, then leave brochures saying, "United. Everything for the PKK and for freedom."

It is known that the terrorist organization has sympathizers in Lefkosia where there are concentrated numbers of Kurds living. The organization carries out its activities mostly in this town, anyway. The PKK prefers the coffee houses as their propaganda sowing fields. It is very difficult for non-Kurds to enter these coffee houses, which are in the back alleys and are adorned with posters of Apo [Abdullah Ocalan's nom de guerre].

PKK Proponents living in southern Cyprus and citizens of this part of the island have been able to come to the north, albeit for one day at a time, now that border crossings have begun. The PKK exist among the Kurds who run construction sites in both parts of Cyprus, and they use the crossings to convey information and documents. However, it is also known that militants cross from the Greek Cypriot side into Syria and from there into the north of the island in order to carry out armed acts of terrorism. By carrying out these acts against mainland Turks who have settled there they aim to set the Cypriot Turks against the mainland Turks. This process is also supported by pro-Greek Cypriot mercenary columnists in the `TRNC´.

The militants blend in with people of Kurdish origin and have been working for years in cooperation with terrorists who receive military and political training in camps in southern Cyprus. The activities are carried out in a coordinated fashion in both the north and the south. It is alleged that there are about 150 terrorists ready to carry out acts of terrorism in the north. The militants for their part aim to subvert the Kurds on the island and use tem in their acts of terrorism.

While doing all this the PKK is reportedly going to make use of the leftist organizations it has been acting together with for years in the south, starting with the DHKP-C [Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front]. One of the terrorist organization's key figures Murat Karayilan uses the term "they are insurance" for the group in northern Cyprus. The PKK on the island are mainly organized by

Kurdish nationalist associations and organizations in the south of the island, and they get their orders directly from their so-called commanders in Greece.

The Greek Cypriots are reportedly going to recognize Southeast Anatolia, where terrorist action has started up again, as "Northern Kurdistan" while the PKK is reportedly going to recognize the entire island as "The Republic of Cyprus" governed by the Greek Cypriots. The following statement is given on the PKK website: "The terrorist activity in the north will disturb the peace through acts and raids thus forcing the mainland Turks to migrate, which will benefit the south."

The Greek Cypriots want the PKK to carry out acts in their interest in return for allowing them to stay in the south. The ENOSIS Greek Cypriots want to make the island an entirely Greek island and are giving the terrorists support and direction. It is known that churches have been providing food and shelter to the terrorist organization's members, whose presence in southern Cyprus has been known about since 1988, and that they are being provided with work. The Cyprus Kurdistan Solidarity Committee, located in the southern part of Lefkosia, emerges as a unit that organizes terrorism. This committee, which is located at 16, Orpfeas Street, is known to be supported by the Greek Cypriot Office of Information. The Kurdistan National Front and the Kurdish Democratic People's Union also carry out their activities in southern Lefkosia. The PKK is known to be financing Kurdish students studying at universities on the island in order to gain supporters, and has been doing so for a long time. The students get grants from the organization and rent houses close to the universities. They propagandize students that they bring to their homes. The PKK members hide their presence at the universities by acting together with extreme leftist organizations.

PKK terrorism also has a share in the peddling of drugs and women on the island as well as in the casinos. PKK Kurds have the monopoly on trade in Moldovian white women, and they make lots of money off these prostitutes, whom they get to sign loaded contracts. Several nightclubs in Lefkosia and Kyrenia, called pubs, are used both as entertainment centers and meeting areas. It is noteworthy that a significant number of these pubs are run by Kurds.

Because the pro-Greek Cypriot Mehmet Ali Talat government is in power backed by the Justice and Development Party the PKK have found the ideal environment. Every act carried out by the PKK Kurds is blamed on the mainland Turks. "They are Turks, you see. Why do you care so much for them and for Turkey? They are Turks, we are Cypriot," they say in their propaganda, and create a fabricated Cypriot identity that has never existed in history in an attempt to separate the Cypriot Turks from the motherland and add them to southern Cyprus. They want to make the mainland Turks appear evil to the Cypriot Turks. Pressure is being applied by the pro-Greek Cypriot Talat government to make the mainland Turks leave the island. It is with this aim in mind that drinking water is not being supplied to the village of Guneskoy, (occupied Nikitas village) whose entire population is made up of mainland Turks. The municipal police are forever harassing mainland Turkish tradesmen. Together with propaganda being conducted by PKK Kurds the brought-off journalists are partners to the PKK plans to drive the mainland Turks off the island by writing all kind of articles'.

[15] Columnist in MILLIYET assesses the developments in Kyrgyzstan in relation to the U.S plans on Incirlik, Iran and Syria

'Bargaining on Incirlik Airbase is still underway with the United States. Officials are saying that the demands are limited to Iraq and Afghanistan. I am skeptical. The United States had not pushed this much for Incirlik even in the hottest moments of the Afghanistan and Iraq operations... And now, it is more Syria and Iran that are on the agenda.

Furthermore, to what degree will the things said today still be valid tomorrow? That is also dubious.

The night before last, on Kanalturk [television], [journalist] Merdan Yanardag discussed with guests the issue of Kyrgyzstan... Delicate points were brought out...

For instance... Shortly after the United States had gone into Afghanistan on the pretext of preventing terrorism, it established a military base in Kyrgyzstan. In those days, when there was any mention of combating terrorism, no objections were raised to anything. The Pentagon recently sought to station AWACS aircraft in Kyrgyzstan. The government of Askar Akayev, stating that these aircraft had no connection to preventing terrorism, rejected the request. US-Kyrgyzstani relations became a bit tense on account of this affair. Akayev then fell... Just look at the scene... The United States, which set itself up on the territory of Kyrgyzstan on the pretext of fighting terrorism, now wants to fly AWACS aircraft from there and monitor Russia and China. Just look at what sorts of things ties with the United States can bring upon a country.

As these lines were being written, I heard the following words from retired General Nejat Eslen on the Sky Turk [television] channel:

"The decision in terms of Incirlik will determine whether or not Turkey is going to be involved in the new world war...'

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