Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-08-02

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press on the statements of the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn.

[02] The leader of Ankara´s puppet regime in occupied Cyprus declares that he will continue to issue title deeds for the properties their Greek Cypriot owners were forced by the Turkish army to abandon.

[03] The economy in the occupied area is based on sex tourism.

[04] Kurdish language schools are closing down.

[05] Turks will demand the closure of Incirlik airbase which is used by the British and Americans for Iraq.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Columnist in the New Anatolian stresses that Ankara signed the Protocol but the status quo in Cyprus with 35,000 Turkish soldiers in the Republic of Cyprus is a reality with no reaction from Britain and the EU.

[07] The chief editor of KIBRIS newspaper analyses what is Euro-Taksim (Euro-partition). Talat-Papadoopulos to meet at Christofias´ summer house?

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press on the statements of the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn

As Reuters reported, Olli Rehn stated that the Turkish declaration should not block the launch of European Union membership talks with Ankara. Our preliminary assessment is that the declaration does not call into question Turkeys commitment to implement the protocol. The signature therefore should clear the way for the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey on October the 3rd, Olli Rehn noted.

Following are the titles of the main Turkish Cypriot papers on Olli Rehns statements:

KIBRIS: No Obstacle left. The paper writes that Commissioner Olli Rehn stated that the signing of the protocol is a positive development and that no obstacle was left any more for Turkey to start negotiations in order to become full member of the EU.

CUMHURIYET: No obstacle was left for the starting of negotiations. The paper reports that Olli Rehn commented positively on the signing of the protocol, however he noted that it must be safeguarded that the Custom Union must include all the EU members, including the Republic of Cyprus.

AFRIKA: The legal dimension of the declaration is sought. The paper notes that the legal effects of the declaration will particularly be studied carefully.

KIBRISLI: They are depressed and grieved. The paper comments positively regarding the statement made by Olli Rehn and reports under banner headlines that Greek Cypriot leaders when they had failed to gain the total domination of the island through the protocol, now they are depressed and grieved.

HALKIN SESI: No obstacle for negotiations between the Turkish Republic and the EU. The paper notes that Olli Rehn stated that with the signing of the protocol Turkey has carried out all the conditions before the 3rd of October.

YENI DUZEN: No Obstacle left. The paper writes that according to the statements made by Olli Rehn, Turkey can now start accession negotiations with the EU.

VATAN: The declaration is being studied carefully. According to the paper, Olli Rehn noted that the declaration made by Turkey that it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus is under careful examination.

VOLKAN: Reports that the statement made by Olli Rehn implied that the declaration made by the Justice and Development Party (JDP) has no legal validity and writes that Turkey sold the Turkish Cypriots to the European Markets as if they were lambs.

GUNES: The declaration is invalid. The paper writes that the European papers support the Greek Cypriots and have written until now that the declaration is invalid.

The Turkish Press covers Olli Rehns statements as follows:

CUMHURIYET: Counter attack anxiety. The paper writes that Turkey is reluctant to face the reprisal of the declaration it made with the signing of the additional protocol.

HURRIYET: EU Commissioner: No obstacle was left before the 3rd of October.

MILLIYET: Rehn: No obstacle was left.

[02] The leader of Ankara´s puppet regime in occupied Cyprus declares that he will continue to issue title deeds for the properties their Greek Cypriot owners were forced by the Turkish army to abandon

On the issue of the properties, their Greek Cypriot owners were forced to abandon to escape the massacre, the paper writes:

Talat took the opportunity to clarify his position regarding title deeds on land owned by Greeks before 1974. He declared that concerns that the title deeds would be rendered invalid, was completely out of the question. He explained that any changes regarding property arrangements could only be made as of a permanent solution of the Cyprus problem. Talat stated that the only way that new implementations regarding title deeds for properties could be introduced would have to be through a change in the existing legal framework, one that would be based on a solution established on the foundations of the Annan Plan.

He said: Any other changes in implementation would be in contradiction with the constitutional and legal order of the `TRNC´, and even changes being made to the Constitution would not be sufficient in this case.

Talat said this was false and intimidating propaganda being spread by those who were working against efforts to improve the prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot people, and those seeking to damage the economy.

Neither the President nor the government elected by the people could do something like this, he confirmed. Our democratic regime would never allow such an action.

[03] The economy in the occupied area is based on sex tourism

The SAGE is a Non-governmental organization based in the USA.

The director of the SAGE, went on and said that this is the result of the social, political and economic structure that exists in the occupied area. Mrs Hotaling added that the existing political and economic structure in the occupied area is unable to find a solution to this problem.

[04] Kurdish language schools are closing down

Kurdish language schools are closing down. The reason is said to be indifference and the people's desire to have Kurdish used in education.

The directors of eight Kurdish language schools gathered in Diyarbakir and issued a joint statement. Speaking on their behalf, Suleyman Yilmaz who was the founder of the Kurdish language school in Diyarbakir, said that they reached the decision to close the schools both because of indifference and because people want to receive education in their mother tongue.

After the EU adaptation laws went into effect in Turkey, Kurdish language schools were opened in Diyarbakir, Istanbul, Sanliurfa, Batman, Van, Adana, and Mardin's Kiziltepe District. So far, 2,027 persons applied to study the language, of which 1,056 received diplomas.

[05] Turks will demand the closure of Incirlik airbase which is used by the British and Americans for Iraq

The coordination members said on Monday that Izmit, Bursa, Eskisehir, Ankara, Konya and Mersin were on their route, stating that they would stage activities in each of these cities.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Columnist in the New Anatolian stresses that Ankara signed the Protocol but the status quo in Cyprus with 35,000 Turkish soldiers in the Republic of Cyprus is a reality with no reaction from Britain and the EU

The Customs Union's additional protocol was signed last Friday by the Turkish government in order to clear the way for the beginning of our negotiations with the European Union due to start on October 3. It is one of the most critical political steps for the Turkish government, with domestic as well as foreign policy consequences. There is a pessimistic view among all oppositions parties from the left to the right. The general view is that with the signing of the protocol Cyprus is being sold to the Greeks and Turkey has lost all its rights over the island. Of course, that's not a realistic interpretation but the opposition parties are exploiting the government's weak spot on this issue. They also believe that the additional protocol doesn't satisfy any expectations of Turkish national interests and that Turkey has made the biggest compromise to the Greek side. The result would be then that Ankara is recognizing the Southern Greek Cypriot administration as the only representative of the island. Indeed, this view of the opposition parties is also widely shared by the public.

On the other hand, Ankara had to sign the additional protocol, otherwise the negotiations could not begin. This was the agreement which was reached last December 17, a decision of the Union. Ankara has done what any other government in their place also would do. There is nothing wrong with this. The government has taken a very controversial but important decision for the future of Turkish-EU relations. The beginning of the negotiations with the EU is a political must for Turkey and neither Turkish nor European diplomacy would reach any other solution except to halt the process. The Erdogan/Blair meeting last Wednesday indicated that they reached a consensus that both sides realize how difficult it is to find a common policy to find a final solution to the Cyprus problem. Indeed, the southern part is recognized as the only representative of the island and is a member of the EU. This is the de jure situation. But the de facto situation will continue for a while, that there is the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´), and EU principles do not apply there fully. Keeping 35,000 Turkish soldiers on the island is the biggest political reality and whatever diplomatic solutions are offered, the island remains divided and Turkey is still a guarantor for the island. Ankara has not taken any decision to change the status quo of the island, and Britain as well as the EU has accepted this. The first reaction of `TRNC Prime Minister´ Ferit Sabri Boyer was very positive after the additional protocol was signed. It means that this is a step which strengthens the `TRNC´ position. How else can one understand the Greek as well as Greek Cypriot reactions! Yes, the reactions are understandable, but the two Greek states have to swallow also some realities as Turkey has for years. The main problem, however, remains. What will be the reaction of the EU to the additional protocol concerning Turkey's statement that it does not recognize the southern part as the sole representative of the island. The decision will prove whether or not the EU is indeed making a political compromise too or not. The EU has to keep its promise from last December, and Great Britain has to play the honest broker role now.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul have both given several "special interviews" to the leading domestic as well as international TV channels, always stressing how they are "sincere" in their quest for EU membership and that they consider this process a millennium target for Turkey. Until now there has been a common belief that the Turkish government will continue the process and the entire world also has a great interest in how Turkish-EU relations evolve. Despite the fact that many Islamic and Arab countries consider Turkey a "master of compromise," many on the other hand wonder about the Turkish persistence to get closer to the EU. Again, the outside world is very interested in what is going on but many of them would like to be in Turkey's place to negotiate. It's not an easy business and Turkey seems likely to undergo some more suffering in the future. But this suffering will bring some positive effects. Turkey is like a very fat man who has to go on a diet. This means that Turkey has to shed some unnecessary pounds in order to look healthier. The process of this diet will take at least 10 years from this point on!

Indeed, the additional protocol is only a step forward and will not change the status quo on the island. But Turkey's willing desire to integrate itself into the economic, political and military institutions of the EU remains strong.

Turkish domestic discussions will not change the course of Turkey's EU relations and EU-Turkish relations will continue to offer a very interesting picture. There will be increasing political opposition among the EU countries to Turkish membership but it will not hinder the implementation of the EU decisions to start the negotiations. Also in Turkey, the opposition will grow, but there will be only debates, not a change of direction towards EU membership.

The impact of the additional protocol is mostly psychological, not political. Then it is only a step forward, nothing else. Both sides are aware of this, and it is called diplomacy. Indeed, a very effective diplomacy to send and sign it on Friday evening! Anyway it will not harm either side. It was a late night business!

[07] The chief editor of KIBRIS newspaper analyses what is Euro-Taksim (Euro-partition). Talat-Papadopoulos to meet at Christofias´ summer house?

According to the plan, Mr Christofias will arrange a meal at his summer residence in the Troodos mountains and he will invite to this social event Mr Papadopoulos, Talat, Soyer and other politicians.

Politics will not be discussed during the meal, however, attempts will be made to bring together Mr Papadopoulos and Mr Talat and then arrangements will be made so that they meet regularly.

The meal in Troodos as well as the possible meetings later on between Mr Papadopoulos and Mr Talat will be kept secret from the media, thus creating a proper environment, where the leaders will work without being under the media´s pressure.

Mr Demetris Christofias could not put yet into implementation his project.

According to the information reaching to me from reliable sources, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos does not want such a meeting at this stage.

Mr Papadopoulos, considers meeting with Talat not right, because of his strategy to corner Turkey with the help of the EU and because he wants to concentrate on Turkey in the period leading to 3rd October.

Mr Papadopoulos wants to handle the Cyprus problem at the EU where he feels he is strong. He is promoting this policy at the expense of creating tension with the UN.

Although it is not announced to the public, on this issue he has serious differences of opinion with AKEL. Despite these difficulties he continues to advance on his own course.

Well, what is the level of support within the EU to Papadopoulos´ stance? On what level is the EU ready to have in its lap a trouble named Cyprus?

The other day Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer had said that unless a speedy solution is found to the Cyprus problem then there might be euro-taksim, (Euro-partition).

The details of this statement were not mentioned, and it was not debated in the public.

I believe the issue carries importance beyond the personal anticipation of the Prime Minister. It is not only Prime Minister Soyer involved in the issue.

Policy planners in London-Brussels and Ankara, have reached the conclusion that if the sides in Cyprus do not get closer to the solution, then the de facto situation will prevail within the framework of the EU regulations.

And while they have reached this conclusion, they are taking the EU-Turkey relations as a basis. In order to give Turkey the opportunity to get ready for the EU in a best possible way or to put it another way, in order not to blow up Turkeys relations with the EU, the de facto situation in Cyprus will be normalized through the Green Line regulation, the financial regulation and with similar regulations, and more freedom will be given to the crossings. And if need be economic areas shall be created between Turkey-EU-South and North Cyprus, and the Cyprus problem will continue in this way until Turkeys EU membership.

The name of this is euro-taksim (euro-partition) and the course is towards that direction. This is the result for the Greek and Turkish Cypriots by those who avoid to come together at a meal even of a social nature.

Let those who wish this raise their hands.

/SK

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