Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-03-02

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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 diplomatic sources argue that President Papadopoulos failed to convince the UN Secretary General during their meeting in Paris.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot side has demanded an explanation to the statement issued in Paris after Annan Papadopoulos meeting.

[03] Statements by Rasit Pertev on the Brussels decision.

[04] The leader and the General Secretary of UBP on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

[05] June 25 to be suggested as date for Municipal elections.

[06] The self-styled ambassador of Turkey Karahan stated that he is against the amendment of the citizenship law in occupied Cyprus.

[07] The Cyprus problem was discussed yesterday in the Turkish Assembly.

[08] Statements by Erdogan before leaving for Monaco. Reaction by the Turkish Journalists´ Society.

[09] Turkey ready to mediate in Iran as in Iraq and Palestine.

[10] US Ambassador to Ankara: Leading role for Turkey in the Enlarged Middle East and North Africa Project.

[11] Turkey´s Action Plan for Cyprus was discussed during the signing of an Action Plan with Ukrain.

[12] Turkey against the Active Endeavour in the Black Sea.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish diplomatic sources argue that President Papadopoulos failed to convince the UN Secretary General during their meeting in Paris

Invoking Turkish diplomatic sources, the paper writes that the Paris meeting was a crushing defeat for President Papadopoulos. The paper argues that the answers of the UN Secretary General to the questions after the joint statement to the Press and the fact that the UN felt the need to issue a second statement created a shock on President Papadopoulos and his circle.

Commenting on the UN Secretary - Generals statement that the important thing is the words being in parallel with the actions, sources alleged that President Papadopoulos was not able to convince Mr Annan. The sources expressed the opinion that the second statement by the UN did away with some issues stressed in the joint declaration.

The Turkish side, adds KIBRIS, believes that the technical committees cannot be a part of the overall solution. The Turkish diplomatic sources accused President Papadopoulos of trying to turn many issues, which will be solved at technical level, into a part of the overall solution. This will delay the solution process and it is unacceptable, said the sources.

The Turkish side felt uneasiness because of the reference in the joint statement to the need for disarmament, the clearing of the mine fields and progress on the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha. Many points in these statements include drawbacks from the point of view of the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem and on the point of arranging the daily life on the Island, alleges KIBRIS. The sources said that the issues of the demilitarization of the island and Varosha are a part of the overall solution and added: Discussing the issue at such a point is meaningless. Demilitarization and Varosha cannot be put forward as precondition. This is a part of the overall solution.

The Turkish diplomatic sources described as failure and ignorance on behalf of the UNs representative in Cyprus, Mr Michael Moller, the fact that the UN were forced to correct afterwards many issues that took place at the joint statement. The sources said that many expressions in the joint statement disturbed the Turkish side.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (02.03.06) reports that the reference by the Spokesman of the UN Secretary General to the fact that progress on the issues of disarmament and Varosha will create positive climate for the negotiations in the future caused uneasiness in the Turkish side. The paper writes that Mr Serdar Denktas, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the TRNC (breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus), said that they will ask for explanations from the UN Secretary General.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (02.03.06) reports that Mr Mustafa Akinci, leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH), has argued that the conclusion from the meeting between the UN Secretary General and President Papadopoulos in Paris is that no one seems to be in a hurry for a solution in Cyprus. He expressed the opinion that even if talks at technical level begin, this procedure will not solve the problem.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (02.03.06) refers to the same issue under the front page title What is going on? The paper points out that the UN issued two different statements after the meeting.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily CUMHURIYET newspaper (02.03.06) refers to the issue under the front - page banner title Crucial developments are imminent.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The Turkish Cypriot side has demanded an explanation to the statement issued in Paris after Annan Papadopoulos meeting

`Acting Prime Minister´ Serdar Denktas has said the Turkish Cypriot Side has demanded an explanation from the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan about a statement, said to have been a joint one, and issued at the end of his Paris meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos.

Mr Denktas said the aim of the proposed bi-communal talks at technical level on which there was earlier agreement through an initiative by the Secretary- Generals Special Representative to Cyprus Michael Moller was only to help overcome the day-to-day hardships confronted between the North and the South.

Speaking before entering todays Council of Ministers, the acting Prime Minister said explanation has been sought from the United Nations Secretary-General about a statement - said to be a joint one - issued at the end of his Paris meeting with Tassos Papadopoulos.

Mr Denktas said the Turkish Cypriot Side is demanding an explanation on whether the statement was really a joint one and if-and-how much it complies with the United Nations good offices mission.

Complaining that the European Union had clearly failed to keep its promises to the Turkish Cypriot side, Mr Denktas said that now the United Nations acted in a way that harms and undermines the sympathy at international level created with the Turkish Cypriot `Peoples´ approval of the Annan Plan in 2004.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot Side has asked for an urgent explanation on the issue, Mr Denktas expressed the hope that the UNs response will be an acceptable and a re-assuring one for the Turkish Cypriot `People´.

As for the proposed technical-nature talks, Mr Serdar Denktas said the statements published in the Greek Cypriot press showed that the Greek Cypriot Side is trying to change the nature of the process, something, which is unacceptable.

`We are approaching the work of the committee as a humanitarian issue` he said, and added that it has nothing to do with the wider political efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

[03] Statements by Rasit Pertev on the Brussels decision

Mr Pertev was speaking in occupied Lefkosia today during a press briefing on the issue.

He told the reporters during the briefing that although there was some obscurity in the text-cover of the EU Councils conclusions; it was still a mistake for the Greek Cypriot side to declare the decision a victory.

The Presidential Undersecretary said the reference in the texts cover page to the Luxembourg Discussions held between the two sides in Cyprus during Luxembourgs EU term presidency; and the hasty nature of the passing of the regulation; have all led to the Greek Cypriot side making a wrong assessment of the development.

The inconclusive Luxembourg Discussions had focused on the principle that was then called, 2 plus, which was based on the presumption that the Greek Cypriot side would get a small gesture in the likelihood of the approval of the two regulations prepared by the EU to help North Cyprus, he said.

Rasid Pertev said it would therefore be totally wrong and unjustified for the Greek Cypriot side to link the obscure nature of the cover-page statement to issues like the proposed halt to all building activity on former Greek Cypriot property in the North, the return of Maras (occupied Famagusta) to the Greek Cypriot side, and joint operation of the Famagusta port.

All these issues are part of what will be a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, and EU member nations share our view that the obscurity in the cover-page concerning the EU Councils Conclusions, should not and cannot be interpreted as such he said.

[04] The leader and the General Secretary of UBP on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem

Speaking in occupied Lefkosia today, Mr Ozgurgun said that no settlement to the Cyprus problem could be achieved with separate package-deals on separate issues.

Underlining the importance of the need for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem, the main opposition leader said the Cyprus problem can only be solved through negotiations, and that any future agreement should respect the political equality of the two sides and guaranteed by Turkey and Greece.

Illegal Bayrak television (01.03.06) also broadcast the following:

The UBP General Secretary - Turgay Avci - has accused the Greek Cypriot Side of playing for time and rendering Turkeys newly announced Action Plan on Cyprus, ineffective.

Mr Avcis comment came in reaction to the statement by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan that the two sides in Cyprus have agreed to hold talks at technical level.

In a written statement today, the UBP General Secretary Turgay Avci said that the meeting between the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President Tassos Papadopoulos has only helped deepen the Turkish Cypriot `Peoples´ worries and concerns.

As for the claim in the statement that talks at technical level will help create confidence between the two sides, he said this reminded the aftermath of the Peres de Cuellar Document and Ghali Set of Ideas, in the past.

He said it appears the `Greek Cypriot Administration´ will continue on its way unless it is pleased with the result of the suggested work of the technical committees.

This will be followed by more concessions being asked from the Turkish Cypriot Side he said.

Underlining the need to stop the Greek Cypriot sides attempts to freeze the Cyprus problem, the UBP General-Secretary called for an immediate resumption of the Cyprus negotiations process, but warned that this must only be the case after the Turkish Cypriot Peoples future status gains clarification before such a process gets underway.

Mr Avci also called for a meeting of the `Republics Assembly´ to formulate new policies on the Cyprus issue.

[05] June 25 to be suggested as date for Municipal elections

(C/S)

[06] The self-styled ambassador of Turkey Karahan stated that he is against the amendment of the citizenship law in occupied Cyprus

Mr Karahan stated that he is against the law amendment which provides that a person must live for a period of fifteen years, instead of five, in the occupied areas in order to get the right of citizenship.

Noting that this measure exists neither in Holland, nor in any other place in the world Mr Karahan said that he will ask for explanation from the self-styled government as regards this issue.

(C/S)

[07] The Cyprus problem was discussed yesterday in the Turkish Assembly

Mr Haluk Koc, the vice president of the parliamentary group of the Republic Peoples Party (CHP), stated that in the Loizidou Case, Turkey was condemned to pay compensation and added that following the sentence, about 1400 Greek Cypriots applied to the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey and that this has been used against Turkey. He also criticised the establishment of a Committee in occupied Cyprus for the return of the properties of the Greek Cypriots.

Speaking on behalf of the Parliamentary Group of the Justice and Development Group, Mr Salih Kapusuz, supported the establishment of the said Committee in occupied Cyprus and said that this Committee existed before and has become active recently. He also stated if this Committee was not established, Turkey would have to pay more that 40 billion dollars in compensations.

(C/S)

[08] Statements by Erdogan before leaving for Monaco. Reaction by the Turkish Journalists´ Society

Speaking to reporters about his visit Erdogan said:

"The conference will be an opportunity to present economic developments and various plans and programs to be undertaken by Turkey. The meeting will also be a good forum to explain the developments recorded in Turkey to European entrepreneurs. I will also meet the Prime Minister of Monaco."

Upon a question on criticism by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani about Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari's visit to Ankara, Erdogan said that the issue was an internal affair of Iraq. "It may not be proper to comment on that, indeed the Iraqi Prime Minister issued a statement on the issue." About the recent statement of Abdullah Gul (on the constitutional arrangements in Iraq) Erdogan said that "Turkey's red lines are in force today and they are well known."

As regards Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan´s case, (who had earlier faced a censure motion at the parliament), Erdogan said that "the government takes decisions by its own will.(...) When we deemed necessary we reshuffled the cabinet. If such a need arises, we will decide on that. We can't accept any pressure on us. Everybody should deal with his/her own business."

Asked to comment on the criticism leveled by AKP [Justice and Development Party] deputies Fuat Gecen and Turhan Comez against Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan. He responded by criticizing the media organs.

He said: We know the steps we have to take and we know when to do so. The media organs must not exhaust themselves too much on the matter. Many of their claims proved to be lies. We are aware that their approach is in return for something. Note the emphasis I put on what I said.

Later the same day Ankara Anatolia news agency (01.02.06) reported from Istanbul that the Turkish Journalists´ Society (TGC) has criticized the remarks of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that were made in reference to the Turkish press, prior to his departure for Monaco today.

In a written press release, the TGC indicated that ''allegations made by Prime Minister Erdogan and other ministers against the Turkish press have been intensified in recent days''.

''Allegations made by Erdogan is a proof of an unfortunate approach. Erdogan's comments saying that 'the Turkish press produces defamation and that they are aware of the fact that journalists are doing this in exchange of certain privileges' are far from being serious,'' indicates the TGC statement.

''Prime Minister Erdogan must respect the freedom of information of the Turkish people. If there are indeed certain journalists who write in exchange of benefits, Prime Minister Erdogan must disclose who those journalists are'', reads the statement of TGC.

[09] Turkey ready to mediate in Iran as in Iraq and Palestine

The meeting discussed whether or not the United States might attack Iran because of its nuclear activities, and if so what the damage to Turkey might be. Stating that Turkey would face many problems if the United States took the military option, the ministers said: "We have not even been able to make good the losses caused by Iraq. If Iran follows then we will be well annoyed. We should do all we can so that no attack is made." Noting that they were constantly issuing the necessary warnings for the sake of peace in the region, Prime Minister Erdogan said: "We are going to continue our efforts here. If called on we can undertake an initiative like in Iraq or Palestine. I have also warned them, but Iran maintains its work is peaceful."

The meeting also looked at the idea of Gul going to Iran to warn that country's administration if necessary. The ministers said: "The right grounds should be formed before he goes, and they should be told that their nuclear activities should be transparent. The scale of the problem should be explained to them. Iran should adopt a position of openness that will remove the concerns felt by the international community. Iran's statements do not satisfy the international community. This has to be driven home to them. Otherwise, it could harm us too."

[10] US Ambassador to Ankara: Leading role for Turkey in the Enlarged Middle East and North Africa Project

Asked how he sees Turkey´s role in the Greater Middle East and North Africa project, Mr Wilson praised Turkey´s secular and democratic system, although being a muslim country and added:

Turkey was assigned a leading role in the Enlarged Middle East and North Africa Project.

(K/V)

[11] Turkey´s Action Plan for Cyprus was discussed during the signing of an Action Plan with Ukrain

Following are the statements made by the two Foreign Ministers and their replies to questions:

Gul: We very carefully viewed our bilateral relations and developments in the region with my esteemed friend, Boris Tarasyuk. We focused on our contacts in the political, economic, trade, and cultural fields as well as in other domains and reached very important points. As you observed a short while ago, we signed an action plan.

I am happy to say that a political problem does not exist between Turkey and Ukraine. Our relations, particularly those in the economic field, are gradually improving. Our trade volume totals nearly $3.5 billion. Some 400,000 Ukrainian tourists visited Turkey in 2005. Many of Turkey's large companies have begun to take responsibility for important projects in Ukraine.

We attach importance to cooperation with Ukraine on energy. As in the case of Turkey, Ukraine is a transit country for natural gas. Within that framework, we extensively discussed many important issues related to bilateral cooperation on energy and transportation of natural gas.

We decided to make an intensive effort to follow up the action plan we signed a short while ago. We also decided to make an intensive effort to see to it that what the action plan calls for is realized.

As you already know, elections will be held in Ukraine next month. Ukraine is a country which strengthens its democracy through the reforms it realizes. We greatly welcome that. And, Turkey clearly supports Ukraine's initiative to integrate with the European and Atlantic organizations. We will continue to support Ukraine's effort.

Tarasyuk: This is my second official visit to Turkey. My first visit was six years ago. I must say that many changes have taken place in Ukraine's relations with Turkey during the six years. I fully share the assessment my esteemed friend, Abdullah Gul, made on our relations in the political, economic, and cultural fields as well as those in other domains.

I wish to add that our contacts are very intensive. The visit of the Ukrainian president to Turkey and esteemed Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's visit to Ukraine are good examples that confirm that. My current visit is in response to my colleague's invitation.

Regarding our trade and economic relations, it must be noted without exaggeration that our trade volume increased by 20 percent every year from 1992 to 2005.

We are a part of the Black Sea region. The Black Sea unites us. It does not separate us.

As regional states, our countries are responsible for the effort that is made to strengthen European standards in the Black Sea region. We closely cooperate for security in the Black Sea region.

We are united by people. What unites us are the Crimean Tartars. We are very satisfied with our cooperation for the return of the Crimean Tartars to their homeland.

Nearly 400,000 Ukrainian people visit Turkey every year.

We discussed the way to promote our cooperation in the cultural field. We agreed on the organization of Turkish cultural days in Ukraine and Ukrainian cultural days in Turkey.

We also discussed educational issues. We discussed the mutual recognition of university diplomas.

We focused on our cooperation in international organizations, particularly within the UN framework, and agreed to support each other.

Regarding NATO, we thanked Turkey for the support it gives to Ukraine's effort to join the organization as a member.

We discussed the struggle against terrorism and exchanged views on our cooperation in the military field and the situation in Iran, Iraq, and the southern part of the Caucasus.

We signed an action plan for 2006 a short while ago. We agreed to personally follow up the realization of the plan.

Question: Did you discuss Turkey's action plan on Cyprus?

Foreign Minister Tarasyuk: Esteemed Gul explained Turkey's proposals for the solution of the Cyprus problem. I wish to say that we welcome every kind of initiative and proposal for the solution of the problem. So, we view Turkey's proposals as a positive initiative.

Question: Can you give more information on your cooperation on energy?

Foreign Minister Gul: As I explained earlier, the matter is an important strategic issue. Ukraine and Turkey are countries through which energy is transported. There are countries that generate energy, there are countries that transfer energy, and there are countries that use energy. In view of that, Ukraine and Turkey are very similar countries. We discussed the matter in detail. We discussed the alternatives and diversification of resources to prevent many countries, including the EU members and Turkey and Ukraine from suffering from shortages. The Turkish and Ukrainian ministers of energy will meet in the very near future. The Turkish minister of energy will soon visit Ukraine to discuss the technical aspect of the matter. We discussed the political aspect in detail and we will continue to cooperate on the matter.

Foreign Minister Tarasyuk: We also agreed on talks between the experts of our Foreign Ministries on energy in the near future. We agreed that they should hold talks on the foreign political aspect of our cooperation on energy. We also agreed on cooperation in the extraction of coal. Ukraine has the necessary technology for that purpose. My delegation includes experts on extraction of coal. They are holding talks with their Turkish counterparts at the present time.

[12] Turkey against the Active Endeavour in the Black Sea

The United States wants to expand the area covered by the naval task force "Active Endeavor" - the NATO-led counter-terrorism task force in the Mediterranean - to include the Black Sea. Turkey and Russia have both opposed this initiative.

A senior official at the US State Department responsible for Europe and Eurasia, Kurt Walker, during a speech in Washington said they wanted this NATO force to carry out duties in the Black Sea, but that there was conflicting opinion over this among the Black Sea littoral states.

"No pressure"

Walker said: "We do not want to apply pressure via NATO to a NATO country, especially one like Turkey, over this. We are speaking with the involved countries to see how we can resolve this."

Turkish officials for their part are concerned that this initiative might be an attempt to water down the Montreaux Convention, which gives Turkey rights over the Straits. Ankara maintains that the fight against terrorism can be carried out by operation "Black Sea Accord" and by the BLACKSEAFOR, which is comprised of the Black Sea countries, and that no additional NATO initiative is required.

New members supporting United States

Like Turkey, Russia too does not want this task force in the Black Sea. NATO's new members Bulgaria and Romania, however, are supporting the United States. Georgia and Ukraine are also receptive of the US position. In other words, the Black Sea littoral states are divided over the United States proposal.

US State Department Official Walker said in his speech that when the Black Sea was viewed from a broader perspective it would be seen that "this was not simply a security issue but also a regional one that included democratic change and a strengthening of political systems and market economies."

According to observers, as may be understood from Walker's words any potential US military presence in the Black Sea is aimed at supporting Washington's policies of "spreading democracy and freedoms throughout the world."

Russia, which has been observing the "revolutions" in Georgia and Ukraine with some concern, is known to be totally opposed to these US policies.

Turkish sources indicate that Ankara is not in favor of any increase in tension between the United States and Russia should this NATO task force come to the Black Sea.

David Smith, an expert at the Potomac Institute on the outskirts of Washington, maintained that Turkey's interests in the Black Sea did not match Russia's, and added, "Turkey should join NATO allies Bulgaria and Romania in inviting the Active Endeavor Task Force into the Black Sea."

The Active Endeavor Task Force, which operates in the Mediterranean, was set up in the Mediterranean under NATO auspices at the request of the United States following the 9/11 attacks.

This task force is comprised of naval vessels from the United States, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Germany, Holland and Spain. It conducts surveillance of commercial vessels traveling through the region and searches ships suspected of gun running or other crimes.

/SK

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