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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-10-05
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
TURKISH PRESS
AND OTHER MEDIA
No.190/05
05.10.05
[A] NEWS ITEMS
[01] Reference to Cyprus by Gul during a press conference in Luxembourg
[02] Olli Rehn on the screening process and the accession talks with
Turkey
[03] Turkey´s opposition leaders assess the negotiating framework for
Turkey´s accession talks
[04] Talat says he could visit Britain upon invitation of the British
Government after the British term presidency of the EU is over
[05] How the Turkish Cypriot political leaders commented on the
commencement of Turkeys EU accession negotiations
[06] Azerbaijan culture days started yesterday in the occupied
territories of the Republic of Cyprus
[07] The deputy Minister of Education of Tajikistan invited the
self-styled education minister in the occupied areas of Cyprus to visit
Tajikistan
[08] The holy month of Ramadan started today
[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS
[09] Commentary in Milliyet assesses Baykal´s reaction to the negotiation
framework
[a] NEWS ITEMS
[01] Reference to Cyprus by Gul during a press conference in Luxembourg
Ankara Anatolia news agency (04/10/05) reported from Luxembourg that
the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr Abdullah Gul on Tuesday said in a
press conference: "This strategic decision has made it (Europe) an
actor who will play an important global role from now on. Europe needed
two things throughout the history in order to be a great power: One of
them is to absorb multiple cultures and the other is being a bridge
between Europe and Asia. Turkey and Europe have decided to live with
multiple cultures and different religions."
Underlining the regional impact of Turkey-EU relations, Gul said that
Turkey was in fact a country, assuring stability in the Balkans,
Caucasus and the Middle East. "Turkey will continue this mission more
strongly and firmly with the help of the EU," he added.
"Yesterday was a historic milestone, and a giant leap was made," also
indicated Gul.
Referring to historic relations between Turkey and Europe, Gul
mentioned that Turkey was a part of Europe for more than 1,000 years,
and also a part of European political institutions for nearly 200
years. "This (start of entry talks) is, in one sense, the continuation
of this course," stressed Gul.
Gul said that Turkey wanted to adjust itself to European standards not
only to become an EU member, but also for the benefit of Turkish
people.
"We will continue to make reforms. I don't say that Turkey has become a
democratic country just in the last three years, but its democracy and
institutions have been improved (during this period).
European Commission's report said that Turkey passed the critical
threshold, and this means that a country which is overwhelmingly Muslim
was successful in democracy, like Europeans were," added Gul.
Asked by a journalist about who were involved in persuading Austrians,
Gul said that Turkey's membership is a matter of importance not just
for Turkey and the EU but the whole world. "We talked to U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
Britain demonstrated true leadership as the current president of the
EU. I talked with the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw around 30
times," commented Gul.
Meanwhile, chief negotiator Ali Babacan has indicated that the
screening process may take a whole year. "We may start talking on
topics first when screening would be completed by the end of 2005,"
noted Babacan.
Referring to Turkey´s policy on Cyprus, Mr Gul has indicated that a
change will not occur in Turkey's policy concerning Cyprus unless a
solution is found. "Turkey will stand by the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) at all costs
until a lasting solution is found," said Gul.
Gul held the press conference in Luxembourg.
Asked if a new initiative is imminent on Cyprus, Gul responded that a
new initiative may take place nowadays. "I was in New York in
September. We discussed the issue many times. The solution of the
Cyprus problem will make happy not only the two nations but the entire
world," told Gul.
When asked if the upcoming EU presidency of Austria is a matter of
concern for Turkey, Gul answered: "The Austrians will represent 25
members of the EU. We expect Austria to act in a responsible fashion,"
stressed Gul.
Gul said that the decision to start entry talks with the EU is a
political one made by the current government of Turkey. "As a political
gesture, we have informed the Turkish president Ahmet Necdet Sezer and
opposition leader Deniz Baykal of Republican People's Party (CHP),
about the government's decision prior to making our decision known by
the general public," said Gul.
Gul stated that Turkey's only goal is to become a full member to the EU
in the future. "The use of the term 'absorption capacity' is nothing
new. Such a terminology was used in the Copenhagen political criteria
on 1993 and in the documents pertaining to December 17th, 2004," said
Gul.
In response to a question asking if it is about time for the EU to keep
its promises made to the Turkish Cypriots, Gul answered that it is way
beyond time to keep such promises. "The time has come. The EU must keep
its promises made to Turkish Cypriots," noted Gul.
Turkish Cypriot Halkin Sesi newspaper (05/10/05) quotes Mr Gul to have
said that the Cyprus problem is of great concern to the EU and that the
platform for its solution is the U.N. and not the EU.
[02] Olli Rehn on the screening process and the accession talks with
Turkey
Ankara Anatolia news agency (04/10/05) reported the following from
Brussels: "Screening process will start with science and research
chapter on October 20th," EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn
said on Tuesday, stating that he could arrive in Turkey for
consultations this week.
Rehn told a news conference in Brussels that the chapter on education
and culture will be next in the screening process. He noted that the
process could take one year, yet stated that this would not prevent
opening of negotiations.
"The EU makes historic decisions at night," said Rehn and described the
start of full membership negotiations with Turkey as a "historic
decision".
Indicating that the target of negotiations with Turkey was full
membership and that this was an unanimous decision, Rehn also noted
that an open-ended process is in question. "A 10-15 years timetable can
be necessary," he noted.
Rehn stated that the EU declaration on Cyprus was very clear.
"Recognition of the 'Cyprus Republic' is a part of the accession
process. This process will be followed and the parties will be
encouraged to reach a solution," he added.
[03] Turkey´s opposition leaders assess the negotiating framework for
Turkey´s accession talks
Ankara TRT2 Television (04/10/05) broadcast the following:
Republican People's Party [CHP] Chairman Deniz Baykal charged that 3
October launched a screening process that directs Turkey toward a
special-status relationship with the EU, that posits Cyprus as a
precondition, and that places Turkey in a situation worse than the one
preceding 17 December.
Addressing his party's parliamentary faction meeting today, Baykal
described the negotiating framework document as dramatic and full of
booby traps.
He said: ´The kind of relationship we are being directed to is a
special-status relationship. No one can call it full membership. My
dear friends, we will not be the same as Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, or
even Croatia which has not even embarked on the process yet. Ours will
be different. What is in a name? Whether you call it special status
or not, it makes no difference. It does not need a label.
Today, the negotiating framework document was approved, but, tomorrow,
Turkey will come before Europe as a country that cannot come to terms
with any relationship other than full membership.
The EU is telling us that this is its expectation regarding us: The
best Turkey is an EU candidate Turkey. Please, always remain a
candidate. Always remain a candidate. The best Turkey is the
perpetual candidate for EU membership. Not far enough to break away
from my influence, and not close enough to enter my decisionmaking
organs, my parliament, my government, or my council with all its force
and weight.´
Motherland Party Chairman Erkan Mumcu, in turn, declared that the fact
that Turkey has begun negotiations with the EU is the success of past
governments as well as the current government.
In a news conference at parliament today, Mumcu said that showing
excessive joy and engaging in euphoria could harm Turkey.
He said: ´This would weaken Turkey's hand. We should not promote
expectations that could create disappointments in the face of the
difficulties inherent in the process ahead.´
[04] Talat says he could visit Britain upon invitation of the British
Government after the British term presidency of the EU is over
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (05.10.05) reports that the
Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has said that he could visit
Britain upon the invitation of the British Government and that the
visit could only be realized after the end of the British term
presidency of the EU, because of the heavy schedule of the British
officials.
Speaking yesterday at a press conference, Mr Talat said he had a
telephone conversation with the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayip
Erdogan whom he congratulated for the beginning of his countrys
accession negotiations with the EU.
Referring to Turkeys accession process to the EU, Mr Talat noted that
this will be a dynamic process and within this process there will be
both problems and opportunities. Mr Talat expressed the opinion that
this period would be very difficult for Turkey and the Turkish
Cypriots.
Mr Talat pointed out that the place where the Cyprus problem should be
solved is the United Nations and argued that the EU has no ability to
solve the problem. The EU has neither the capacity nor the means to
solve the Cyprus problem, said Mr Talat and added: The UN process will
come again onto the agenda during Turkeys EU process and within this
framework the discussion of the Cyprus problem will be achieved.
The solution can only be reached at the UN. Turkey recognizing the
Republic of Cyprus before the solution is not a solution and it is
tantamount to the beginning of new problems, he alleged.
Mr Talat said that in the near future they might evaluate the situation
with Turkey, but there is no meeting scheduled for the time being.
Commenting on his meetings with the head of the EUs Unit Task Force for
the Turkish Cypriot Community Leopold Maurer and the Speaker of the
European Parliament, Joseph Borell tomorrow, Mr. Talat said that with
Mr Maurer they discussed the 259 million euro financial aid to the
Turkish Cypriots and with Mr Borell they would discuss the proposed
establishment of an EU-Turkish Cypriot contact group.
Mr Talat argued that the Europeans felt the need to establish such a
contact group as a result of their discomfort from the lack of Turkish
Cypriot representation at the EU institutions.
Furthermore, KIBRIS reports that Mr Talat will have dinner tomorrow
night with the chairman of Democratic Rally Party (DISI), Mr Nikos
Anastasiades at his residence in occupied Kyrenia. According to some
information, Mr Talat will also meet with the General Secretary of AKEL
and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dimitris Christofias.
I/Ts.
[05] How the Turkish Cypriot political leaders commented on the
commencement of Turkeys EU accession negotiations
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (05.10.05) reports that Mustafa
Akinci, leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH), has said that
a new period began in the relations between Turkey and the EU with the
commencement of Ankaras accession negotiations. In statements yesterday
Mr Akinci noted that new parameters are created with this new process
and that these parameters demand a new policy. BDH is working on this
issue, he said. Mr Akinci wondered what the position of the Turkish
Cypriots will be in this process, while Turkey will be having a new
relation with the Republic of Cyprus.
Commenting on the same issue Izzet Izcan, General Secretary of the
United Cyprus Party (BKP), said yesterday that new policies must be
developed in this process which will be paving the way for a solution.
He accused the self-styled government in the occupied areas of the
Republic of Cyprus of following a policy which only aims at the lifting
of the isolation and the embargo. It made steps which opened the way of
Turkey, but ignored the protection of the interests, the future, the
identity and the existence of the Turkish Cypriots, noted Mr Izcan.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (05.10.05)
reports that Omer Kalyoncu, General Secretary of the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP) expressed the opinion that the Turkish Cypriots should
exert the necessary pressure in order to force President Papadopoulos
to sit at the negotiating table.
Ertugrul Hasipoglu, MP with the Democratic Party (DP), said that the
real struggle will begin from now on and that the Turkish Cypriots
should do correctly the duty and to rise their standard of living. And
we must take this to the UN in the negotiations process, he added.
Hasan Tacoy, MP with the National Unity Party (UBP), expressed the
opinion that the opposition and the ruling parties must exert their
efforts on the Cyprus problem having common views, opinions and
behaviours.
The need for a new policy by the Turkish Cypriot side was also stressed
by Huseyin Angolemli, chairman of the Communal Liberation Party (TKP)
and Ali Erel, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.
I/Ts.
[06] Azerbaijan culture days started yesterday in the occupied
territories of the Republic of Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (04/10/05) broadcast the following:
The Azerbaijan culture days began today with a conference held at the
´Near East Universitys´ Ataturk Cultural Centre.
The event is organised jointly by the ´TRNC´ (occupied territories of
the Republic of Cyprus) ´Ministry of Foreign Affairs´, the (illegal)
Turkish Embassy in Lefkosa, the ´Near East University´ and the ´Eastern
Mediterranean University.´ (operating illegally under the laws of the
Republic of Turkey in occupied Cyprus)
Addressing the opening ceremony, the undersecretary of Azerbaycans
Ministry of State Rahmi Hasirov said his country will continue to
support the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ in all fields.
He added that work was underway to schedule regular commercial flights
directly between Baku and Ercan.
Referring to the opening of accession talks between Turkey and the
European Union, Mr. Hasirov welcomed the development and praised Turkey
s strenuous diplomatic success in removing dangerous provisions that
would have otherwise been included in the framework agreement.
Mr Has1rov reiterated Baku s continued support to the Turkish Cypriot
´people´ in helping remove the unjust international isolations imposed
on it.
In the meantime (self-styled) Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas has
complained of Greek Cypriot pressure being exerted on Azerbaycan to
prevent the planned direct flights between the country and the ´TRNC´
from being launched.
Evaluating the latest developments on the issue, Mr. Denktas said the
Azeri governments decision to postpone scheduling the once-weekly
commercial flight was the result of the Greek Cypriot Administrations
threat to veto a friendship agreement to be signed later between
Azerbaijan and the European Union.
Criticizing the Greek Cypriot side of displaying a hostile and
aggressive attitude, especially at a time when the Turkish Cypriot
Sides hand of peace continues to be extended, Mr. Serdar Denktas said
the Greek Cypriot side was using its EU membership to deepen the
international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Explaining that he will raise the issue at tomorrows meeting with the
President of the EU Parliament, Joseph Borell, the ´Foreign Minister´
said he will remind Mr. Borell that the EU has failed in keeping its
promises made to the Turkish Cypriot ´People´ that its international
isolation would be removed.
[07] The deputy Minister of Education of Tajikistan invited the
self-styled education minister in the occupied areas of Cyprus to visit
Tajikistan
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (05.10.05) reports that the
deputy Minister of Education of Tajikistan, Mrs Irina Karimova departed
yesterday from the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus
(OTCR).
The deputy Minister of Tajikistan visited the occupied territories of
the Republic of Cyprus on the 1st of October upon an invitation of the
self-styled minister of education and culture in the OTCR, Mrs Canan
Oztoprak.
Mrs Karimova invited the self-styled education minister to visit
Tajikistan.
During her visit Mrs Karimova held contacts with Mrs Oztoprak with whom
she agreed to start the development of co-operation between Tajikistan
and the OTCR. She also visited the illegal Eastern Mediterranean
University and some primary education schools in OTCR.
C/S
[08] The holy month of Ramadan started today
Illegal Bayrak television (04/10/05) broadcast the following:
The Islamic world enters the holy month of Ramadan as of dawn
tomorrow.
Practicing Moslems will be fasting between dawn and dusk everyday
throughout the month.
The religiuous festival will end with the start of the Holy festival of
Ramadan on the 3rd of November.
[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS
[09] Commentary in Milliyet assesses Baykal´s reaction to the negotiation
framework
Istanbul Milliyet newspaper (04/10/05) publishes the following
commentary by Fikret Bila under the title: "The Baykal-Gul
Conversation":
After Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul reached agreement with the European
Union (EU) in the evening hours regarding the Negotiating Framework
Document, and before leaving for Esenboga [Ankara] Airport, he
telephoned CHP [opposition Republican People's Party] leader Deniz
Baykal and briefed him. Baykal, with whom I spoke following Gul's
telephone call, had not been mollified. The main opposition leader
objected both to the agreement that had been reached and to the way
that he was provided the information on it. He was of the view that,
in the agreement that was announced to have been reached, the effort to
open the door to NATO membership for Southern Cyprus had not been
prevented.
Baykal responded as follows to my questions regarding the conversation
he had had with Gul:
- The Foreign Minister announced that, before departing, he had
provided you with information. Were you satisfied?
- There is no question of my being satisfied. Is this the way in which
information should be provided to the main opposition leader? Mr Gul,
just before setting out, called me and merely said "We have reached
agreement, and so we are departing, but before we leave let me brief
you so that you do not get it from elsewhere." This is not the way to
provide information to the main opposition leader on such an important
issue. There was not even any text that I was able to see. We have no
information on the stages [of the negotiations]. So what aspect of
this am I to be satisfied with? This mode of behavior is unbecoming.
- What did you say to Mr Gul?
- What I said was that the agreement reached did not resolve the
problem. I told him that the text of the agreement provided to Mr Gul,
and which we learned from the television, did not meet all of Turkey's
expectations. The text does not prevent Southern Cyprus's entry
[presumably into NATO]. I said that the declaration did not remove the
obligation [presumably regarding recognition of the Republic of Cyprus]
in terms of Turkey. And I said that this text was going to be debated
a great deal.
Baykal added as well that, after having this conversation with Gul, he
saw from the television that Gul left the AKP [ruling Justice and
Development Party] General Headquarters. He stressed the distaste he
felt from being briefed in such an offhanded way.
The CHP leader maintained the following views, which he had raised in
the conversation we had before it was announced that agreement had been
reached, even after speaking with Gul: "The EU is supposedly unable to
persuade Austria. What aspect of this can you really believe? Just
think of an incident that is still fresh in everyone's memory: The EU
didn't allow [Austrian politician Joerg] Haider, who had won the
election, to form a government. It officially did not accept the
election results in Austria. It didn't allow Haider to form a
government. So the EU, which was sufficiently influential over Vienna
as to prevent it from implementing the results of its elections, was
unable to be influential in this case? This is not credible. Because
Austria is not alone in this resistance. There are other countries and
parties behind it that do not want to be seen. A game has been
played."
Stating that the difficulties that came out on 3 October have revealed
an important truth from Turkey's standpoint, Baykal provided the
following comment: "We saw the difficulties that Turkey was confronted
with on 3 October. I hope that the Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip
Erdogan] saw them as well. One has to carefully consider what the EU,
which was able to generate such large crises and which has already put
heavy conditions before Turkey even before negotiations have started,
will be able to do in a negotiations process that is expected to
continue until at least 2014. This reality shows that Turkey needs to
work out a national strategy for this long process that stands before
us. Turkey, both the party in power and the opposition, and with all
its various components and institutions, needs to establish a national
strategy that determines, in the process ahead, what things it will be
able to accept and what things it will be unable to accept. Because
this lengthy process is one that will last much longer than the life of
any one government or any one parliament. The negotiations process
must be handled in accord with a national strategy."
Noting that the problematic hours on 3 October showed yet another
deficiency of the government, Baykal called as follows for the TBMM
[Turkish Grand National Assembly] to be involved in the process:
"The government, in the period through which we are passing, has
carefully kept the TBMM out of the loop. Yet on such an important
issue, which will determine the future of both Turkey and the Turkish
Cypriots, the TBMM should have been involved. This would not have made
the government's job more difficult, but would in fact have facilitated
it. But the government always avoided this. And so the nation, and
the nation's parliament, have had no knowledge as to what has been
transpiring."
Baykal stressed that the problems created on 3 October by the EU and by
Austria have already shown that serious obstacles are going to be
encountered on a number of issues in Turkey's negotiations process, and
particularly on the Cyprus and Aegean. He stated that, for this
reason, there is an urgent need for a basis on which Turkey, with both
its government and its opposition, can take a joint stance, within the
framework of a national strategy.
EG/
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