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

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] Soyer keeps on accusing the Greek Cypriot side.

[02] Turkish Cypriots who applied for candidacy in the forthcoming elections disclose that their aim is to recourse to the European Court of Human Rights.

[03] The owner of Cyprus Paradise travel agency to sue Thomson Holidays and CTO.

[04] The Turkish Foreign Minister criticizes the EU.

[05] New Cyprus Party: The EU Council´s decision an expected development.

[06] The self-styled speaker accuses the international commentary for the hardships the Turkish occupation army is causing to the Cypriots.

[07] The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked from the UN to inform it on the Annan Papadopoulos meeting.

[08] The Turkish Cypriot businessman Manyera calls for the opening of Varosha.

[09] Gul denies statement attributed to him on importing the Islamic regime from Iran to Iraq and Turkey.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Column in AFRIKA assesses Mr Soyers statements on the Paris meeting which are in line with the Turkish sides policy of demonizing President Papadopoulos.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Soyer keeps on accusing the Greek Cypriot side

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Soyer alleged that the Turkish Cypriots, with their yes vote in the referendum on the Annan Plan, had said yes to the demilitarization of the island as well and that the fact that President Papadopoulos conducted a campaign against the Annan Plan and therefore said no to the demilitarization should not be forgotten.

Mr Soyer described as false the information that during the Annan Papadopoulos meeting in Paris there was an agreement on the framework and the parameters of a possible new negotiation procedure and added that reaching an agreement on these issues in the absence of the Turkish Cypriot side is not possible.

He said that the fact that effort has been made in the joint statement after the meeting to show that the opening of the closed city of Varosha is a separate issue, is unacceptable. He alleged that statements which do not openly show that the Greek Cypriots are intransigent will have a negative influence on the effort for reaching a solution under the umbrella of the UN and will help President Papadopoulos to continue his intransigent stance.

Mr Soyer argued that from the statements of Mr Annan, it is understood that the UN Secretary General is not satisfied with the sincerity of President Papadopoulos and that is why he refused to appoint a special representative for Cyprus saying that he would do it when the time is right.

Mr Soyer said that after the meeting, their opinion that the UN Secretary General is not sufficiently informed by his representatives on the stance and the sensitivities of the sides and the developments regarding the Cyprus problem is strengthened.

He also alleged that such statements could be used by the Greek Cypriot leadership to mislead the people before the May 2006 elections in the Republic of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, in statement last night upon his return from Istanbul where he visited the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat in the hospital, Mr Soyer reiterated that there was no result from the meeting of President Papadopoulos with Mr Annan and added: It is obvious that Mr Annan is not seeing the necessary climate for a new procedure, but we are not responsible for this. Papadopoulos administration is the one responsible for it. He reiterated that the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha is a part of the overall solution of the Cyprus problem.

When asked to comment on the initiative of some Turkish Cypriots to demand the right to vote and be elected in the elections that take place in the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Soyer alleged that the administration in the south is not based on the Constitution of 1960.

Furthermore, KIBRIS argues that the Greek Cypriots are spreading around false information and exert effort to present as their own success the proposal for the holding of meetings for the discussion of daily and practical issues. The paper alleges that this is a proposal which had been made in the past by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat. The paper accuses the Greek Cypriots of trying to relate this agreement with the overall solution of the Cyprus problem and to present it as commencement of talks for issues such as the demilitarization, the disengagement of forces, Varosha and the cleaning of the minefields. This created a great uneasiness in the Turkish Cypriot side, notes KIBRIS, which is also publishing correspondence between the UN representative in Cyprus, Mr Michael Moller and Mr Talat and Rasit Pertev, Mr Talats advisor, before the Annan-Papadopoulos meeting in Paris.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriots who applied for candidacy in the forthcoming elections disclose that their aim is to recourse to the European Court of Human Rights

He stated that one meaning of this initiative is to set a motion in the Cyprus problem and added that it is very natural for those who put the Cyprus problem in the refrigerator and who are nourished from the status quo to react against this initiative.

Akinci who said that the Republic of Cyprus wants to turn the Turkish Cypriots into minority with the amendments it has made to the laws, stated that if they do not react to these amendments, it means that they overlook this oppression and that they consent to the minority rights of the Turkish Cypriots. He added that according to the answer that they will receive, they will carry this initiative to the European Court of Human Rights. Mr Akinci also said that there is no doubt that the outcome will be in favour of the Turkish Cypriots. He said that as Titina Loizidou demanded and was able to win her individual private property rights without waiting for the solution of the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Cypriots will recover their community rights through pressure and they can open the road for a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution. He also said that this is the time for the Turkish Cypriots to claim their communal rights, to raise their voice against the Greek Cypriot administration that makes laws that will turn them into minority and to make concrete steps.

In addition, in statements to BAYRAK television yesterday afternoon (02.03.06), Mr Akinci said that a law office is already carrying out work about applying to the European Court of Human rights depending on the letter they will receive from the Minister of Interior Mr Andreas Christou.

Mr Akinci was asked to comment by a Bayrak journalist on accusations that he is a member of the Republican Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and at the same time he applied for candidacy to become a member of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus.

In addition, as AFRIKA (03.03.06) reports, speaking on the same subject, the former Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Mr Ali Erel, stated that they do keep their hopes that they will receive a positive answer from the Greek Cypriot side and added that they will wait for 30 days to receive an answer. He noted that the demand that they conveyed to the Minister of Interior Mr Andreas Christou, they have also conveyed to the Secretary-General of the UN, to EU organs and the guarantor states.

On his part, Mr Rasih Keskiner, the secretary of the New Cyprus Party, speaking about the same issue, stated that it is a good intention initiative and that his party support this movement.

(C/S)

[04] The Turkish Foreign Minister criticizes the EU

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has criticized the European Union for its decision to separate the Financial Assistance and Direct Trade Regulations, prepared earlier by the Union to help boost Turkish Cypriot economy.

Mr Gul said it was a mistake to tamper-with and politicise the Financial Assistance Regulation.

Speaking in an interview with the Turkish Television, the Turkish Foreign Minister touched upon the Cyprus issue and reacted to the decision by the EU to approve the Financial Assistance Regulation after separating it from the Free Trade regulation, something the Turkish side considered important.

`It was a mistake that the European Union should avoid` he said, indicating that it would be wrong for the Union to comfort itself as if this amounts to keeping the promises it made to the Turkish Cypriot people.

Let no one believe that Turkey can be cornered into considering unacceptable concessions through fait accomplis, he warned.

Mr Gul said that no one should exploit Turkeys relationship with the European Union to extract concessions on the Cyprus issue.

There can be no justification for exploitation of our relations with the Union, and the unions member nations themselves should avoid such a thing he said.

[05] New Cyprus Party: The EU Council´s decision an expected development

The New Cyprus Party says the EU Councils approval of the separation of the Financial Assistance and Free Trade regulations was something expected.

In a written statement today, the Partys Foreign Affairs Secretary - Alpay Durduran - expressed the belief that the Turkish Cypriot side had only managed to delay the process, and could do nothing more to prevent the development.

Mr Durduran said the delay cost the Turkish Cypriot people a hundred and twenty million Euros worth of financial assistance from the EU, and warned that the rest of the financial aid will be lost if conditions are set by the Turkish side in receiving the pledged amount.

Referring to a statement issued after the Paris meeting between the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadapoulos, Mr Durduran called on the `government´ to introduce matching policies to the statement, and to try to improve the level of current cooperation between the two sides on the island.

[06] The self-styled speaker accuses the international commentary for the hardships the Turkish occupation army is causing to the Cypriots

The `Acting President of the Republic´ Fatma Ekenoglu has accused the international community of having its own share of responsibility for the hardships confronted by the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ as it suffers under international isolation.

Speaking to an audience this morning, the Acting `President´ said the responsibility arises from the failure of the world to respect its promises of assistance to Turkish Cypriots, made before the referendum in 2004.

Pointing to the extra hardships being confronted as attempts are made to overcome the effects of the international isolation, Mrs Ekenoglu called for more concerted political efforts to promote the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ at international level.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the areas of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops which invaded and occupied the northern part of Cyprus in 1974, forcing 200,000 Greek Cypriots at gun point to flee their homes and properties and leaving more than 1,000 Greek Cypriots missing).

[07] The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked from the UN to inform it on the Annan Papadopoulos meeting

The paper writes that Turkey will determine its stance after acquiring this information. According to the statements made until now, notes VOLKAN, Turkey formed the following views:

1. Turkey considers relating the commencement of the Cyprus talks to preconditions to be unacceptable.

2. It is not in favour of the participation of the EU and the UN Security Council permanent member countries in the negotiating table.

3. It keeps distance from the commencement of the negotiations before the parliamentary elections to be conducted in May 2006 in the Republic of Cyprus.

4. It opposes to the appointment of a special representative by Mr Annan from countries which are directly related to the Cyprus problem or from the EU member countries.

(I/Ts.)

[08] The Turkish Cypriot businessman Manyera calls for the opening of Varosha

Mr Manyera stated that Varosha is really a Human Rights issue, and added: Human Rights exist in the world and there is property and real estate that belongs to Greek Cypriots in Varosha. We, as Turkish Cypriots, cannot deny this, he said.

He added that as a Turkish Cypriot who respects the human rights, he wants Varosha to be returned to the Greek Cypriots who are the old owners of the properties and who cry because they lost them. I support the Greek Cypriots who wish to come back to take their properties and the area to gain its old liveliness, he said.

(C/S)

[09] Gul denies statement attributed to him on importing the Islamic regime from Iran to Iraq and Turkey

News reports claim that Gul told his Czech counterpart Cyril Svoboda during his visit to Turkey on February 16th that "nobody could prevent the exportation of the Islamic regime in Iran into Iraq first and then into Turkey, if US forces are withdrawn from Iraq".

Gul said that the minutes of the meeting between himself and FM Svoboda clearly show that he didn't make such a statement.

"The news story is not true," Gul stressed and added that "making such claims on the headline of a newspaper was not journalism".

Gul left for Madrid, Spain today. He said the target of his visit was to further improve the political, economic and cultural relations between Turkey and Spain.

He indicated that he was accompanied by the members of Turkish-Spanish Parliamentary Group. Noting that Spain extended strong support to Turkey's EU bid, headed that they would review bilateral relations and take up Middle East and Iraq issues which concerned two countries, during his talks in Madrid.

Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that it was wrong to think that Turkey could be influenced by the regime of another country, adding "it is much more wrong to attribute such views to me as if I have voiced them."

Gul stressed that the allegations that "Turkey could be influenced by Iran and that Iran could export its regime to Turkey" was also against the realities of Turkey. Gul indicated that Turkey was an open society which proved itself as a role model for other countries. "To think that such a country can be influenced by the regime of another country is wrong. And it is much more wrong to attribute such views to me as if I voiced them."

Gul also said that the statement attributed to the Czech Foreign Minister was not heard from the minister (Svoboda) himself, but from others and an American news agency (UPI) which broke the news.

"Making such a claim in a front page story (by Turkish newspapers) is not good journalism. These claims should be investigated and confirmed first," Gul said calling Turkish journalists to make self-criticism. Gul added that the minutes of his meeting with the Czech Foreign Minister clearly showed that he didn't make such a statement.

"We expect terrorist Fehriye Erdal will be found and extradited to Turkey," Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday before leaving for Spain.

Responding to a question regarding the position of Turkey, as terrorist Fehriye Erdal (tried and sentenced to 4 years in prison in Belgium) ran away, Gul said Turkey requested the extradition of Erdal three times.

"It is very thought-provoking that trial process of a person who got involved in important terrorist activities was so long and that she was reported missing while being under house arrest. Belgian authorities should think twice on this issue," Gul indicated.

Asked about the allegations that he disclosed at the Turkish Parliamentary Human Rights Commission last week that secret bargaining took place between Israel and HAMAS Gul said, "I am extremely honest towards MPs during private meetings and I share with them the issues I know.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Column in AFRIKA assesses Mr Soyers statements on the Paris meeting which are in line with the Turkish sides policy of demonizing President Papadopoulos

The Turkish side with policies that lack persuasiveness is trying to keep the ship afloat It is trying to do this by keeping the ship afloat on the land

As a matter of fact there is only one person in the history who was able to keep the ships afloat on the landSultan Mehmet the Conqueror

Does not Ferdi know this?

Of course he doesBut, despite this he insistsHe will keep the ships afloat on the land He says: By saying no in the referendum Papadopoulos was also saying no to the demilitarization

Is this so?

Really, did Papadopoulos say no in the referendum because he did not really want the Turkish troops to leave the island?

Do you believe in this?

The Annan plan was not envisaging the demilitarization of the island the guarantor powers were going to stayAnd they were going to stay foreverHad this plan been accepted we were not going to make the British military bases subject to debateBoth Turkish and Greek troops were going to stay here forever

What was going to happen? Only their number was going to be reducedThats itCould any one call this demilitarization?

It is useless to exaggerate the amount of attack while trying to lash out against Papadopoulos.

Neither demagogy nor lies could score points.

You could say that Papadopoulos said no to the Plan because he does not want solutionYou could as well say that because he is concerned with the rights provided to the Turkish side he said no to the Plan. You could put forward the idea that he said no to the Plan because he was dreaming to see the Turkish Cypriots as a minority being assimilated within the Greek Cypriot majorityYou could say that he said no because he opposes the political equality

However, you could not say that he said no because he does not want the withdrawal of the Turkish troopsThen you are exaggeratingNobody believes in this Even crows make fun of you

You cannot mislead people about the Papadopoulos-Annan meeting Swashbuckling that has domestic consumption will not save you

You are disappointed because you did not get what you were expecting from the meeting. What was your expectation?

Should you expect Annan to slap Papadopoulos and to tell him to get lost?

Should Annan scold Papadopoulos by telling him you are punished because you said no?

Should Annan exert pressure on him in order to meet Talat?

Should Annan press him to remove isolations and allow direct flights to Ercan?

You were expecting that they should not discuss Varosha nor refer to demilitarizationYou are disillusioned because none of these are included

You are in panic and you started criticizing the Paris meeting. You are looking for consoling yourself by what others say .

Keep looking for You might find it.

/SK

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