Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-11-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Minister: "The UN General-Secretary, of course, will launch a new initiative if it would be successful".

[02] "Turkish forces advance into Akincilar".

[03] The Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press on Mr Matsakis action to remove the Turkish flag from a Turkish outpost in occupied Louroujina.

[04] A TUSIAD panel discussion on Cyprus in Washington.

[05] A soccer tournament has begun in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] "The Difference Made by Talat in Washington".

[07] Extracts from commentaries on current issues in the Turkish Cypriot press.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Foreign Minister: "The UN General-Secretary, of course, will launch a new initiative if it would be successful"

Underlining again that the visit of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to the USA was an "important development", Mr Gul reminded of Turkey's proposal to lift all the restrictions on ship and air traffic simultaneously. Noting that a very important opportunity was missed in Cyprus because of the negative attitude of Greek Cypriot leadership, Mr Gul said that Turkey and "TRNC" (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) did what was necessary to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement on the island. "But no settlement could be reached only through unilateral efforts", Mr Gul added.

Replying on a question about the EU's demand that Turkey should open its sea and airports to Cypriot ships and planes in 2006, Mr Gul said Turkey's views on the matter are known by everybody, and noted that the cause of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey was just.

Moreover, commenting on Greece's statement that Turkey could not become an EU member unless it withdrew soldiers from Cyprus, Gul dismissed these words as "pure rhetoric" and noted that the problem was on the UN's agenda. He added that the simultaneous referenda (on the Annan plan held last year) revealed the realities regarding the island.

Asked whether he expected the UN to launch a fresh initiative on the Cyprus issue, Gul said: "The UN General-Secretary of course will launch a new initiative if it would be successful; this point is obvious. This matter is on the UN Secretary-General's agenda and is among his priorities. Despite all efforts of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, if the other party does not take the necessary steps, the 'TRNC' (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) will continue to walk its own path. It will continue to strengthen itself from the political side to the economic one. Turkey always stands by the 'TRNC'."

(DPs)

[02] "Turkish forces advance into Akincilar"

"The Greek Cypriot administration accused the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) of provocations in the area of Louroujina, last night.

Greek Cypriot administration spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides claimed that the violations had begun over two months ago when the TSK started to build an observation post on what he believes was in no manīs land territory. 'Our side has made all the necessary representations and protests to the UN Secretary- General orally and in writing' Mr Chrysosostomides remarked.

'Greek Leader' Tassos Papadopoulos also complained to the UN Secretary-General when he met with him last month on the same issue. (...)

Turkish Forces first announced in August that they would staff the new observation post with policemen in order to prevent the movement of illegal migrants, drug trafficking and smuggling, allegedly against the wishes of the UN. Chief of the Turkish Forces in Cyprus pointed out to the UN authorities that he would not be interested if he was reported and that he would still go on with his plans."

(C/S)

[03] The Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press on Mr Matsakis action to remove the Turkish flag from a Turkish outpost in occupied Louroujina

Under the title "Matsakis went insane" KIBRIS writes that Mr Marios Matsakis, who is the European Parliament member of DIKO, and who is accused for illicit dealings in antiquities, removed a Turkish flag, which was in the flagstaff of a new Turkish outpost, which is under construction in occupied Louroujina. The paper wonders whether Mr Matsakis undertook this action in order to change the agenda in south Cyprus.

AFRIKA writes about the incident under the title: "He took down the flag in Louroujina. He took the flag and left".

HALKIN SESI covers the incident under the title "Provocation from the European Parliament member Matsakis".

Under the title "The enemy of the Turks Matsakis took down the flag", CUMHURIYET writes that someone must stop this insanity.

VOLKAN reports about the event under the title "Matsakis is thirsty for blood".

VATAN and GUNES report about the event in their inside pages.

Turkish MILLIYET writes under the title "Provocation from a Greek Cypriot deputy", that Mr Matsakis made statements to the paper who said, inter alia, the following: "The Turkish occupation forces are making new arrangements in Louroujina. The whole of the island is an EU member. What is Turkey's job in the north? I am an EU deputy and I want to walk around in the whole island free. The Turkish army is an obstacle to this. I took the Turkish flag in order to protest against this situation and in order to draw the attention of the EU to Cyprus", he said.

Turkish HURRIYET reports about the event in its inside pages under the title "The flag thief is a Greek Cypriot deputy" and writes that Mr Matsakis stated that he will take the flag to the EU in order to prove the Turkish occupation in Cyprus.

(C/S)

[04] A TUSIAD panel discussion on Cyprus in Washington

According to a written statement by TUSIAD, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US State Department, Mr Matthew Bryza, and the self-styled TRNC (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) Assembly Speaker, Ms Fatma Ekenoglu, will make the opening remarks at the panel's morning session which will be open to the public.

Speaking at the panel are the following: Ahmet Sozen from the illegal East Mediterranean University; Soli Ozel from Bilgi University in Turkey; Niyazi Kizilyurek from the University of Cyprus; Thomas Weston, former Ambassador from Georgetown University; and David C.Cuthell, Director of the Institute of Turkish Studies.

During the second part of the panel discussion, which will be closed to the press, US officials, representatives from think tanks and different organizations from Turkey and the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus will take part. The self-styled deputies of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Caglar, Mustafa Gokmen from the Democratic Party (DP) and Turgay Avci from National Unity Party (NUP) will also participate.

The representative of TUSIAC in the USA, Mr Abdullah Akyuz, said that the aim of the panel discussion is to form a platform where more detailed and direct discussions will be held on the issue of whether the US administration could take concrete steps to lift the political and economic "isolation" of the North Cyprus (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus).

(DPs)

[05] A soccer tournament has begun in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus

The national teams of Kosovo and Samiland have arrived to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus to take part in the tournament. Six journalists have accompanied the Samiland team and two the Kosovo team. Moreover, French reporter Jean Demiyan Lesay, who is known as a friend of the Turkish Cypriots in Europe and supports the lifting of the "sport embargo" on the Turkish Cypriots, has arrived to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus to cover the tournament. According to the paper, Mr Lesay writes in the football magazine Balloon circulated in Spain and France.

The Chairman of the New Football Board (NF Board), Mr Christian Michelis, came to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus two days ago to watch the tournament. Mr Michelis met yesterday with the officials of the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation and he will meet today with the self-styled Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and the self-styled Minister of Youth and Sports Ozkan Yorgancioglu.

Meanwhile, the paper reported that in his contacts, Mr Michelis will discuss the organization of the tournament "Viva World Cup 2006", in which 16 teams will take part.

The New Football Board is a union of soccer teams that are not members of UEFA.

(DPs)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] "The Difference Made by Talat in Washington"

"The 'TRNC' (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) 'president' speaks with a tone of voice that no one is accustomed to hear from the sides of the Cyprus issue. It is calm and direct. It is cleansed from nationalism and anger and it avoids pessimism. Furthermore, Talat's tone reflects the comfort of sincerely wanting a solution and believing that he is on the right side of history. Mehmet Ali Talat carried this refreshing tone to Washington last week. This visit which was conducted at the invitation of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice constituted a very important "first." He explained why such an invitation, which had not fallen in the share of his predecessor Rauf Denktas, was sent to him as follows:

"The Turkish Cypriots have begun to speak the language of the world. The solution vision that has been put forth by the Turkish Cypriots is approved by the world. This is why the honorable Rice has decided to invite me to the United States."

Being concerned that everyone will say that "he has returned from the visit empty-handed," he said the following when assessing the results of his visit:

"I have not achieved any substantial results. I did not come here for substantial results. This invitation is of symbolic importance. It shows that the United States approves the Turkish Cypriots' solution vision. This is a first."

Subtitle: He influenced Rice

Despite his words, however, Talat seized an important opportunity for expressing his demands from the United States and for explaining that they view the removal of the isolation imposed on north Cyprus as "a step toward a solution."

According to the US official who listened to Talat, he used this opportunity "in a very effective way." He received "understanding and friendship" from Rice. The US Secretary of State "congratulated Talat for his pro-solution policies."

At the end of his visit to the United States, a journalist asked Talat to express his "feelings." Talat interpreted the approval that was displayed as follows:

"This means that it was possible to take certain steps, to do certain things, and to receive the support of the world. By taking these steps and doing these things, albeit with delay, we are actually changing the image of the Turkish Cypriots and therefore the image of Turkey throughout the entire world. This is quite important. I may say that I am very pleased to assume a role, albeit a modest one, in these developments."

Subtitle: The openings will continue

There is no doubt that certain people will consider these impressions "empty words." They will believe that the wind blown by the 'TRNC' leader in Washington is "merely wind" and that this visit has not achieved substantial results.

On the other hand, the pro-solution stand (in Talat's words) "that has been officially registered with three different elections and a referendum" has changed the viewpoint that "the Turks are the reason behind the problem." And we will continue to see the substantial results of this change. Given that the psychological threshold has been crossed, this will continue to bring along political openings.

Talat's visit to Washington was such an opening. Assessing the visit, Douglas Silliman, deputy director of Southern European Affairs Bureau at the US State Department, announced that the openings will continue. Furthermore, he explained the reason behind this in a way that totally supported Talat's argument:

"We consider the removal of the isolations as a factor that will contribute to a solution. The UN Secretary-General also believes that the removal of the isolations within the framework of a goodwill mission is part of the efforts that aim to find a solution in the island. Furthermore, we believe that if we can reduce the lack of economic equality between the south and the north of Cyprus, it will be much easier to unite the island in the future."

Subtitle: Substantial expectations

The United States is taking certain steps on the basis of this conviction. It has recently begun to give financial aid to north Cyprus and it has decided to allow business connections with the 'TRNC' (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus). Some US companies may soon invest in the 'TRNC'.

From the political standpoint, US officials also assert that the visits to the north of the island and the contacts with 'TRNC' officials will continue and will even increase.

During his meeting with Rice, Talat referred to the direct flights to and from the Ercan Airport and stressed that "this is the most important step that will symbolically shake and even remove the isolations. Nevertheless, the direct flights issue is (if the term is right) suspended in the air for the time being.

In answer to a question on "whether the United States is actively conducting studies on the legal aspects of direct flights to north Cyprus or whether this file has been totally closed," Silliman said: "None of the above."

According to Silliman, there is no legal view in the United States regarding the feasibility of such flights. After all, it is necessary to form a substantial legal viewpoint. And to this end, it is necessary to put forth a substantial demand in this regard. An airway company has not yet officially applied with a detailed route plan for permission to fly from the United States to the Ercan Airport (occupied airport of Tymbou) or for taking off from the Ercan Airport with the aim of landing in the United States. In other words, no airway company has demanded the United States' approval in this regard yet.

Talat puts emphasis on the fact that the United States has not closed its doors to such an option. His insistence on direct flights -- an issue that is being considered "impossible" by many people -- stems from his belief that "after crossing the psychological threshold, it will eventually be possible to overcome the political obstacles as well." After all, he also views Turkey's accession talks with the EU as a process that will eventually triumph and that will bring along the solution of the Cyprus problem as well."

[07] Extracts from commentaries on current issues in the Turkish Cypriot press

Mr Tahsin reminds statements by the self-styled Prime Minister, Ferdi Sabit Soyer that the Turkish Cypriots will never leave the Annan Plan to die. Mr Tahsin adds, inter alia, the following:

"...The Annan Plan itself says that 'in case it is rejected by the one of the sides, this plan will cease to exist'. ...The 1959-60 Agreements, which gave life to the Republic of Cyprus, are international agreements. Therefore, these agreements could not be changed in case one of the sides says 'no'. ...Unfortunately, our people here are following the 'the non-solution is the solution' policy, not with the language used by Denktas, but with their own language. Saying that 'the UN will solve this subject' is also tantamount to supporting the 'non-solution'. Therefore, the effort exerted by the new chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and the 'Platform This Country is Ours' to give support with stale proposals to the UN Secretary - General at a time when Mehmet Ali Talat was meeting with the UN Secretary - General, was of no use, because all things which the 'Platform This Country is Ours' and the new chairman of the Chamber of Commerce said ceased to exist after one of the sides said 'no' at the referendum. Let us repeat that insisting on these matters is tantamount only to supporting the non-solution. The solution in Cyprus is possible only by being saved from Turkey's yoke and sitting at the table with the south without mediators and guardians. ...".

Meanwhile, commenting on the statement by the former chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Ali Erel who has revealed that the self-styled government of the occupation regime had exerted pressure on him in order to issue a health certificate presenting tomatoes produced in Turkey as being produced in the occupied areas of Cyprus, Sener Levent writes, inter alia, the following in AFRIKA newspaper (02.11.05):

"...We have been disgraced in Europe! You did well and took the head of Ali. Look, how good are those you put in his place, how docile they are. They are ready for orders from above. They can give this blessed document for whatever you want, not only for tomatoes. ...".

Commenting on the change of the leadership in the Chamber of Commerce, Serhat Incirli writes, inter alia, the following in AFRIKA (02.11.05):

"...Ali Erel is gone and finished! Kutlay Erk made a step forward towards another term at the Lefkosia Municipality and, if it is God's will, towards the presidency of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)! ...The results at the general assembly of the Chamber of Commerce will create serious problems. You will say why should the EU interfere in an institutional matter concerning our internal affairs? ...Ali Erel is an important person of the EU's governing mechanism. The fact that the state has interfered worries the EU very much! Ali Erel did not listen to the government. He did the right thing! Why should he listen to it? ...".

Meanwhile, commenting on Turkish Prime Minister's statement that he is marketing Cyprus abroad just like he does with his own country, AFRIKA (02.11.05) notes, inter alia, the following:

"...Some TV channels in Turkey dealt a lot with these words last night and they asked how Erdogan will market the TRNC. No reaction came, however, against Erdogan in northern Cyprus. As it is understood, no one here has any complaints about being marketed. ...Anyhow, we knew long before that we had been marketed. I wonder what remained without being marketed in Turkey. If Cyprus is marketed this will not be the end of the world! We are very curious to see what our price is?"

(I/Ts.)

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