Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-08-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] From 1571 to 2006. The Turkish occupation army and its puppet regime celebrated the destruction of Cyprus.

[02] Djonis and Pertev met. Ercakica: Gentlemens agreement, no statements. Pertev: Difficult process.

[03] More on the bi-communal gang selling Turkish Cypriot properties.

[04] Interview by Talat to BUGUN newspaper. He admits that has prejudices against Papadopoulos.

[05] While Ihsanoglu accuses Israel of committing a crime against humanity Namik Tan confirms that Turkish diplomats attended a fund-raising event for Israeli soldiers in Tel-Aviv.

[06] Turkish retired general who disclosed that the Turkish army applied bombing tactics in the south east is under investigation

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] From 1571 to 2006. The Turkish occupation army and its puppet regime celebrated the destruction of Cyprus

The 435th anniversary of the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottomans, the 48th anniversary of the Turkish Cypriot Resistance Organization the TMT, and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces is being celebrated by all Turkish Cypriots with special events.

The first ceremony took place in front of the Ataturk Monument in occupied Lefkosia where wreaths were laid, a minute´s silence was observed followed by the hoisting of flags to the Turkish national anthem.

Similar ceremonies were also held at Ataturk Monuments and martyrs´ cemeteries throughout the occupied areas of Cyprus.

As part of the celebrations today, a special marathon was held this morning starting from Bogazkoy and ending in Lefkosia.

Coast Guard boats of the occupation army were also open to the public today at the occupied Kyrenia Harbour.

In the evening a reception was be given on the grounds of the occupation forces headquarters.

Within the framework of celebrations tomorrow a music festival to be staged at occupied Salamis Antique Theater will feature the famous Turkish pop star Haluk Levent.

Meanwhile yesterday as part of the celebrations the Commander of the Turkish occupation Forces Major General Tevfik Ozkilic paid courtesy visits to the self-styled President Mehmet Ali Talat, the self-styled speaker Fatma Ekenoglu and self-styled Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat said that the Cyprus Turkish Forces had assumed a very important duty of providing the Turkish Cypriot people with security.

Expressing the Turkish Cypriots heartfelt love to the Security Forces, Mr Talat said it was clear that the forces has been very successful in performing its duties.

For his part, the Commander of the occupation forces Ozkilic spoke highly of the puppet government for providing all that is needed by the Security Forces.

Meanwhile the Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces Hilmi Ozkok has stated that the Turkish People will continue supporting the Turkish Cypriot People.

Speaking to the illegal BRT during a reception held in Ankara last night to celebrate the 1st of August Communal Resistance Day, Mr Ozkok said the Communal Resistance Day was significant both for Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Moreover messages to mark the significance of the 1st of August Communal Resistance Day celebrations marking the anniversary of three different glorious events in the history of the Turkish Cypriot people have been issued by various political parties, non-governmental and civil society organizations.

The leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Huseyin Ozgurgun in his message said the Turkish presence stamped on the island in 1571 would never be erased.

For 435 years we have struggled for our existence and freedom and we have no intention of taking a step backwards on this issue or making any concessions just to satisfy the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo, he added.

In its message the Democratic Party said today is being celebrated with pride throughout the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Explaining that any solution in Cyprus should involve the acceptance of the existence and equality of the two sides on the island, it stressed that together with the Turkish Cypriot people the struggle for achieving a permanent solution based on sovereignty and equality will continue.

In a message issued by the President of the TMT the Turkish Cypriot Resistance Organization Vural Turkmen stressed the importance of the TMT in the shaping of the history of the Turkish Cypriot people and added that if the TMT had not existed Cyprus would have clearly become one with Greece.

The President of the Turkish Cypriot Security Forces Retired Officers Association Alper Onel said the aim of the Turkish Cypriot people had not changed, that is to find a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem. A solution that safeguards the Turkish Cypriot peoples existence and equality.

The President of the Retired Noncommissioned Officers Association Esen Omurlu in his message said that by learning lessons from the past and looking forward to the future with confidence, the retired noncommissioned officers´ association was celebrating the day with pride and joy. Noting that the government was the only security for the future of the people, Mr Omurlu called on the people to stand up for its government.

The General Coordinator of the National Peoples Movement Taner Etkin in his message said that the struggle for existence and freedom is still continuing and stressed that the existence of Turkish Cypriots on the island would continue forever. He also stressed that the efforts to protect and improve the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in every field would continue.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the puppet regime Ankara has installed through the force of arms in the properties of the massacred or evicted Greek Cypriots. TMT is the underground organization set up by the Turkish army in Cyprus in the 1950´s and 1960´s to create enmity between the two communities in Cyprus by killing Greek and Turkish Cypriots who were closely co-operating).

[02] Djonis and Pertev met. Ercakica: Gentlemens agreement, no statements. Pertev: Difficult process

Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev, Tassos Djonis, an aide to the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos and the UN Secretary-Generals special representative for Cyprus Michael Moller, met today at the UN controlled buffer zone.

The `presidential´ spokesperson Hasan Ercakica said that both sides have agreed on a gentlemens agreement stressing that no statements will be made after the meetings have taken place between the two sides.

Yesterday, the three men had met at the residence of the UN Secretary-Generals Special representative for Cyprus Michael Moller, where they exchanged their respective views and proposals on guidelines under which they consider the Cyprus problem should be discussed.

The men also exchanged views on the proposed creation of technical committees which would take up day to day issues and problems between the two sides.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (02.08.06) under the title Bargaining for the Committee at a surprise meeting refers to the new yesterdays meeting of DjonisPertev.

In a statement issued after the meeting, KIBRIS writes that Rasit Pertev stated that after the meeting they had the day before and the exchange of lists, the headings of the issues and which committees are going to be established were discussed yesterday.

Asked if an agreement was reached, Mr Pertev replied: The process is difficult. We will continue the meetings.

He also stated that a new meeting is scheduled to take place within the week; however, its date has not yet been settled.

According to the paper, the meeting held at the residence of Michael Moller, started at 15:00 and lasted for four hours.

Reporting on the meeting at Moller´s residence, Turkish Cypriot daily ORTAM newspaper (02.08.06) writes under the title The work is getting serious, and stresses that the meeting lasted about four hours.

(M/L)

[03] More on the bi-communal gang selling Turkish Cypriot properties

The paper writes that the statement of the police refutes the arguments of Mr Cavlan who in an interview with Hasan Hasturer in KIBRIS newspaper said that no lawsuits were pending against him in the courts of the Republic of Cyprus. According to the statement of the police, the hearing about the four out of the eight cases against Mr Cavlan will be held on 20 October 2006.

The statement notes that 17 cases have been filed regarding selling Turkish Cypriot properties in the government-controlled areas of Cyprus. The lawsuits have been filed against Mr Cavlan and his Greek Cypriot partners, notes AFRIKA.

Furthermore, the paper argues that a Greek Cypriot introducing himself as Peter, who has close relations with the Cavlan gang, spends most of his time in the occupied areas trying to find clients for buying cheaply Turkish Cypriot properties in the free areas of the Republic.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Interview by Talat to BUGUN newspaper. He admits that has prejudices against Papadopoulos

Following is the first part of the interview:

Question: Let us begin with a current topic. People fleeing the fighting in Lebanon are going to the port of Mersin in mainland Turkey. There are also people going to southern Cyprus. As far as I understand some people even came here to the KKTC and ten continued onwards, but the Greek Cypriot administration was hostile to this.

Answer: Some do come here, mainly the sick. Some go to Ercan (occupied Tymbou) Airport and fly on. Some go on to Mersin. You can see how the Greek Cypriots are treating even this. They are saying that any who use KKTC land for rescue operations will not have an easy time in southern Cyprus. A veiled threat. Might there be anything more to it than this, I do not know. Humanitarianism is not important for Papadopoulos and the Greek Cypriot administration. It is a very regrettable situation.

Question: But there are no signs that the rest of the world finds this unusual, even in such a humanitarian issue as this.

Answer: The world is also very interesting. The world should be ashamed of itself.

Question: Technical work between the KKTC and the Greek Cypriots is beginning. You want a solution based on two communities and two zones and political equality if that can be achieved.

Answer: Not a case of if. Political equality is our number one goal, not our number two goal. This is of paramount importance for us. Political equality both as communities and as founding states. Our priority is political equality; everything else is secondary.

Question: But one side is an EU member country. How can this happen, then?

Answer: There will be a new partnership, and this partnership will in turn become a new EU country. There will be an EU country called the United States of Cyprus.

Question: What will the technical details of this be like? I mean will the Turks run things for a while and then the Greek Cypriots, etc?

Answer: There will be political equality. Naturally, rotation will be one of its elements.

Question: That may be the goal on the horizon, but for now the ports matter has yet to be resolved. What is going to happen with the ports issue? The EU's attitude is well known.

Answer: What we are saying is not just correct, but logical too. This is not so for the other side. We support opening up Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot ships and planes, and we want Turkish Cypriot ports and airports to be opened up at the same time. It is that clear. If they are going to be opened so shall ours be. It will not work if you say, "They can open but they cannot."

Question: Are you hopeful of a settlement?

Answer: Honestly, it is a bit premature to give an answer to that. If the Greek Cypriot side approaches this with good will then absolutely. If they do so because they feel obliged to and if they are in talks simply to keep the pressure off then this business is not going to work. We do not know. But the Greek Cypriots do have the right of veto within the EU.

Question: I got that, but if the United States starts direct flights the EU is not going to declare war on the United States just because the Greek Cypriots want them to. Besides, the EU has already promised to end the isolation. So, is it we who cannot explain ourselves? Is the good will lacking?

Answer: The problem is not the explaining of things. Everybody understands. It is not a case of good will either. They have not yet reached the peak of their patience.

Question: Talking of patience, do you mean to say that the Greek Cypriots have not yet caused the EU to lose patience?

Answer: Not just the EU's, they have not caused the world's patience to run out yet. When it does nobody will be able to stop the world from acting.

Question: Do you agree with the phrase "spoilt child" being used to describe the Greek Cypriot side?

Answer: Quite right. Let us not say "spoilt child" but just "spoilt." Why should I say "child"? He (Papadopoulos) is too old to be called a child.

Subtitle: Relations with Papadopoulos

Question: What is your personal relationship with Tassos Papadopoulos like? Are you on the same wavelength over anything?

Answer: There is no personal relationship whatsoever with Papadopoulos. We have never gotten together long enough to develop a common wavelength over anything.

Question: Do you harbor any prejudices?

Answer: Of course I do. But I try not to approach matters with prejudice. We started this business in good faith, and I intend to continue in god faith.

Question: He is a person with a very well known reputation. Do you sense any prejudice he may be harboring towards you? Besides you being a Turkish Cypriot?

Answer: There may be but I have no concrete knowledge regarding this.

Question: How did your last meeting go? How do address one another, for instance?

Answer: Mr Papadopoulos, Mr Talat. That is all.

Question: You do not call each other, "Mr President" then?

Answer: As if he would call me Mr President! And so I do not. I do not say it because he does not say it.

Question: You do not use your forenames, then? I know you are older than Papadopoulos.

Answer: We are not on such intimate terms. The former presidents were civilized. Denktas and Clerides. They used to call one another Rauf and Glafcos. There is no such atmosphere with us.

Question: Have the roles changed because of Papadopoulos' age and reputation? Denktas' opponents used to call him "a stubborn old man." So, is Papadopoulos now playing Denktas' old role?

Answer: It would seem to be that way. That is how he is being treated.

Question: Is that the climate present on the Greek Cypriot side?

Answer: Maybe he still has more supporters, but his opponents in particular are saying the roles have changed.

Question: During your three-way talks with Gambari did Papadopoulos do anything that might cause you to say, "Stubborn old man"?

Answer: It lasted three hours. Five articles and one decision. Six subheadings in three hours. It was also the first time that the UNSG stepped in over the phone. Is that not enough?

Subtitle: Greek Cypriots still backing PKK

Question: Do the Greek Cypriots continue to back the PKK like they used to in the past?

Answer: Unfortunately, it still goes on. They still believe that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. All the information we have points to that.

Question: Do you pass on your intelligence on this to the other side?

Answer: We have never been that close, but we do voice our complaints through UN channels.

Question: Some Europeans and Greek Cypriots likened Denktas to Arafat when he was in office. The Israelis used to say, "No settlement until Arafat is dead." Others said, "No settlement until Denktas is out of the picture."

Answer: Arafat is dead. Has the Palestinian problem been solved?

Question: So, what will happen here? You are faced with somebody the likes of Papadopoulos.

Answer: What I believe, if the truth be known, is this: There is only one way: ending the isolation and the Greek Cypriots returning to the table in all seriousness. If the isolation is lifted they will come to the table. They will see it is too expensive to do otherwise. They will see that the Turkish Cypriots do not depend on them. Otherwise, what kind of agreement can we expect of a fanatic, chauvinist Greek Cypriot administration that has joined the EU?

Question: Let us talk about you. You have been party chairman, prime minister and now you sit in the President's chair. I will be blunt here. Our talks used to be much different when you were not carrying a basket of eggs on your back. Do you agree with this idea? Perhaps there is no change in the way you think, but has there been any change in the way you speak?

Answer: Let me say this. There was not much change, for example while in opposition. I mean, who criticizes the opposition? It criticizes its government. It will not suddenly criticize the US government. It will not criticize the governments of Greece or the United Kingdom. It might have specific reasons for criticizing, and even if it does... That is the position we were in. I have not changed my mind on the Cyprus problem between then and now. But in those days both I and the Greek Cypriots were critical of my government, and so I may have appeared to be on the Greek Cypriot side. But now I have no government to criticize. The government is mine. And so the addressee of my comments is the Greek Cypriot side; they are on the receiving end of my criticism.

Question: At that time you were a politician. Now you are a statesman. Is that what has made the difference?

Answer: Of course, that is only natural. It does not demonstrate change, though.

Question: Without doubt the files you knew about and were privy to in the past are quite different from the ones in your hands today. Have these affected any change?

Answer: Failure to change means failing to experience. I change just like any other man. Just like any other political party; I am not party chairman now but when I was in charge of a party as a politician it is true to say that my party's ideas did evolve. You have to acknowledge this. Anything to the contrary would be wrong. It would be natural.

Question: Now to the role played by UNSG Assistant for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari. Did he have any effect on the process?

Answer: Very much so because Gamabari saw the situation on the ground for himself. He brought the sides together. He got them to make a decision. It was on the basis of an agreement, and at the same time he drew up a "list of principles" and got both sides to agree to it.

Question: Where are we now vis-à-vis lifting the isolation, do you think? What have you seen on this in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom?

Answer: All of these countries are afraid of the Greek Cypriots, and for various reasons. The Greek Cypriot side is not a country to fear but it does kick up such a ruckus that other countries do not want to appear as if they are in trouble in international law. And so, unfortunately, they cave in to the Greek Cypriots because of these tantrums. This goes for all countries. Actually, the Greek Cypriots can do nothing.

Question: I noticed the monogram on your shirt, M.A.T. Your initials spell out "mat" [Checkmate]. Who do you say will be checkmated?

Answer: My goal is not to checkmate anybody. My goal is a just partnership that is mutually acceptable. This does not happen with checkmate. You beat the other side. The next day they set out to get their revenge. So, that is not the correct thing to do. We will reach a consensus. We will give a little and take a little, but we will reach a consensus.

Following are replies to questions from the second part of the interview:

Question: Mr Talat how was Mr Erdogans recent visit?

Answer: It was very good. The agenda was not that much intense. He came here with a big delegation. We have discussed everything. There is nothing new .We advance our policy.

Question: What about the Greek Cypriot administrations expectations?

Answer: Greek Cypriots have a lot of expectations. If we take their expectations then we have to give everything to them. The whole Island belongs to them. We are guests here for the last 400 years. They think they could send us away by telling us bye-bye.

Question: They say that at the beginning Mr Erdogan and you were different as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem and you were criticized. Now they say that you and Mr Erdogan speak like Denktas and Ecevit.

Answer: As far as I am concerned I do not speak differently. I still want peace. This means that I do not speak the same thing with the names mentioned.

Question: Mr Denktas never said that he does not want solution.

Answer: Mr Denktas never favored unification of Cyprus. His solution understanding was different. For him solution meant partition of Cyprus and recognition of a separate state. I am following a policy that is in harmony with the world. And there is no change in this. The administration in the south has changed as well. Today the administration in the South is the most chauvinist administration Cyprus ever seen. It was not like this in the past. This chauvinist administration is in power at a time when a party like AKEL is in the government.

When asked to comment why at the beginning the Turkish President and the office of the Chief of the General Staff were cool towards his administration, Talat said that there is no such thing now

When asked about the complaints by Turks from mainland Turkey that Turkish Cypriots do not like the Turks from Turkey, Talat said: The TRNC is an independent state and one has to accept the fact that through the history the Turkish Cypriots have developed their own distinct cultural identity. And this identity is Turkish Cypriot identity. Now if you ask me `Are you a Turk? I will answer: Yes, I am, but I am a Turkish Cypriot´.

There is a Turkish Cypriot Identity which is different from Turkey and the Turkish people. There is difference with the Greek Cypriot people as well. There is a demand to respect the Turkish Cypriot identity. Certain people from Turkey demonstrated disrespect to the Turkish Cypriot identity and as a result this reaction was borne. It is not a general feeling within the community to refuse the people coming from Turkey. Go and ask the same people, they will say that they favor continuation of the Turkish Guarantee.

(MHY)

[05] While Ihsanoglu accuses Israel of committing a crime against humanity Namik Tan confirms that Turkish diplomats attended a fund-raising event for Israeli soldiers in Tel-Aviv

"Israel is committing a crime against humanity in Lebanon. Nothing can justify Israeli offensive against Lebanon," Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said on Tuesday.

Holding a news conference at Istanbul's Yildiz Palace, Ihsanoglu noted: "We are extremely concerned about recent developments in the Middle East. OIC is determined to use all its capabilities to reach a cease-fire, and to provide both Lebanon and Palestine with political and humanitarian assistance. We have been working to find a solution to the dispute through diplomatic channels. I held talks with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, Russian authorities and Palestinian leaders to this end."

Recalling that they decided to hold an extraordinary meeting in Malaysia, which holds the rotating OIC presidency, in the coming days, Ihsanoglu said, "as OIC Secretary-General, I condemn Israel's merciless attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. Those attacks claiming lives of hundreds of civilian people, destroying infrastructure in Palestine and Lebanon, are nothing but war crimes which target innocent civilians by violating all international laws and conventions. Israel commits a crime against humanity in Lebanon. Nothing can justify Israeli offensive against Lebanon."

"United Nations Security Council is obliged to preserve independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and to protect lives of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians. As United Nations Secretary-General Annan pointed out earlier, prestige and dignity of the Security Council is in danger. Declaration of a cease-fire in the region is an absolute necessity. This cease-fire should be followed by an exchange of prisoners," he said.

Noting that they had launched a campaign for reconstruction of Lebanon, Ihsanoglu said that they opened a bank account for donations.

When a reporter asked whether OIC will make a decision to impose sanction on Israel at the meeting which will be held in Malaysia, Ihsanoglu said that only UN has the right to take a sanction decision in international area, adding that other organizations do not have such a right.

Upon a question about stability force, Ihsanoglu stressed that this force should be sent within the framework of UN, and this will be more beneficial for the welfare of Lebanon in current conditions.

When asked whether Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, Ihsanoglu said: "Hezbollah is a formal party in Lebanon. It is coalition partner of the Lebanese government. Thus, we cannot comment on this issue beyond the official stance of the Lebanese government."

Regarding the massacre in Lebanese Qana town, Ihsanoglu said that it is a crime of humanity and a crime of war. He added that UN failed to condemn the massacre in Qana and did not make a cease-fire decision which are very concerning.

Meanwhile, under the title They Misled us, Turkish pro-islamic VAKIT newspaper (01.08.06) reports that in a statement to the paper yesterday the Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Mr Namik Tan, confirmed this daily´s allegation that a group of Turkish diplomats had taken part in an aid night for Israel held in Tel Aviv recently. The report quotes Tan as saying that the Turkish envoys who attended the event were misled into believing that the money raised would be used for Jewish students from Turkey.

On 31.07.06 VAKIT newspaper published a front-page report entitled Diplomatic Scandal, which lambasted a group of Turkish foreign Ministry officials for attending an `aid night´ for Israeli soldiers in Tel Aviv while the people in Turkey are busy collecting aid for the Palestinians.

[06] Turkish retired general who disclosed that the Turkish army applied bombing tactics in the south east is under investigation

Prosecutors in Diyarbak1r have launched an investigation into retired Lt. Gen. Altay Tokat for remarks during a magazine interview in which he said he had ordered that bombs be detonated in southeastern Anatolia to influence state officials in the region. In Ankara, two leading human rights organizations, the Human Rights Association (0HD) and the Association of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed Peoples (Mazlum-Der), filed a complaint with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Tokat, demanding an investigation.

/SK

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