Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-03-01

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The G.S of the BDH Cakici criticised the statements of Turgay Avci towards the Greek Cypriots as chauvinist and racist

[02] Statements by Talat after his meeting with Olli Rehn

[03] Statements by Soyer

[04] Fatma Ekenoglu comments on the universities and the changes that have been made in the history books in occupied Cyprus

[05] The self-styled government is selling Greek Cypriot property in Famagusta

[06] Twenty one television and thirty four radio stations broadcast in occupied Cyprus

[07] The Chairman of the American Illinois State Football Academy is visiting the occupied areas

[08] Yasar Yakis: Ankara is impossible to recognize the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´as a state representing the whole island

[09] Former Turkish President Kenan Evren supports a system of government in Turkey based on eight states

[10] DTP leader re-elected and announces his party´s aim to go for the Parliament

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The G.S of the BDH Cakici criticised the statements of Turgay Avci towards the Greek Cypriots as chauvinist and racist

(CS)

[02] Statements by Talat after his meeting with Olli Rehn

´President´ Mehmet Ali Talat has met with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn in Brussels.

As part of his contacts in the city, the ´President´ also met with the Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht.

Speaking after his discussions with Mr Rehn, the ´President´ said the Direct Trade Regulation was the main topic of the meeting during which the difficulties being faced in the way to a solution to the Cyprus problem were also taken up.

Within the framework of his contacts in Brussels, ´President´ Talat met with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn and the Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht today.

Speaking to reporters after his one-hour long meeting with Mr Rehn, the ´President´ said he had had a very useful meeting with the EU Commissioner and that the Direct Trade Regulation was top on the agenda of their discussions.

The ´President´ said that besides the Regulation, ways to bring about a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue and the problems being faced in the way of a settlement were also discussed.

During the meeting, the ´President´ also explained the problems being faced in the implementation of the Green Line Regulation and the difficulties in relations between the two sides.

On his part, Mr Rehn said all the difficulties faced in Cyprus are closely being watched by the Union, adding that contacts are being made for the direct channeling of the financial funds to the Turkish Cypriot ´people´.

Soon after his arrival in Brussels yesterday, ´President´ Mehmet Ali Talat met with representatives of various foreign and Turkish media organizations at the ´TRNC representation office´.

During the meeting, the ´President´ explained the Turkish Cypriot Sides position on the Cyprus issue and the latest developments on the Direct Trade Regulation.

Speaking at a reception held at the end of the meeting, Mr Talat pointed to the recent acceleration in the efforts towards implementing the EU Direct Trade and said that work is underway to move this acceleration forward and to prepare a sustainable regulation.

The ´President´ also stated that the Turkish Cypriot Side will never bow down to the Greek Cypriot Sides demands to conduct trade with the EU through the ports in the South and stressed that the use of the ´TRNC ports´ is essential to establish direct trade between the North and the Union.

Responding to a question, Mr Talat said that he does not intend to discuss the oil crisis with EU officials but added that the Turkish Cypriot Side has a right over the use of natural resources in and around the island in accordance with the 1960 Constitution.

He also stressed that the Turkish Cypriot Side will maintain its determined approach towards the issue to protect its rights.

[03] Statements by Soyer

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said the Cyprus negotiations process has to start as soon as possible in order to find a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

The Prime Ministers words came at a meeting of his party in Gazimagusa (occupied Famagusta) last night.

In an address to the meeting, Mr. Soyer said that although chances of finding an early solution to the Cyprus Problem are dim, a settlement was actually not that far away.

He also underlined the need for the Turkish Cypriot People to continue to pursue the political will it displayed during the April 2004 referendum towards finding a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution.

The Premier also reaffirmed the Republican Turkish Partys determination to continue its active dialogue with Greek Cypriot political parties despite the Greek Cypriot Sides negative stance towards finding a solution.

Furthermore, illegal BAYRAK television (28.02.07) broadcast the following:

The Council of Ministers convened this afternoon under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

The Council is taking up the issues on its agenda including the Social Security Draft Law and the Minimum Wage which was set at 950 New Turkish Liras by the Minimum Wage Commission.

Speaking to reporters before entering the meeting, Mr Soyer said that President Talat is having useful discussions in Brussels, adding that these kinds of visits will continue in the coming days.

Referring to the Greek Foreign Ministers statement that the Greek Cypriot Administration is against the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation, the Premier said `the statement shows how much contrary the Greek Cypriot Administration falls to the EU principles and the Unions decisions.

Mr Soyer underlined the need for the EU German Presidency and all EU countries to handle the issue with meticulous care.

[04] Fatma Ekenoglu comments on the universities and the changes that have been made in the history books in occupied Cyprus

The acting-President - Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu has underlined the need for all universities in the TRNC to fulfill all the necessary criteria to be able to compete with the universities in Europe.

Mrs Ekenoglu was speaking during a visit she paid to the Guzelyurt (occupied Morphou) campus of the Middle East Technical University where she met with the Universitys Rector Turgut Tumer.

Pointing out that President Mehmet Ali Talat is currently having contacts with EU official in Brussels, she said that the ERASMUS and students exchange programs were among the issues being taken up during the Presidents discussions with European officials.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper (01.03.07) reports in its inside pages that the self-styled minister of education and culture Canan Oztoprak replied to criticism made to the changes in the book of history used in the occupied areas and said that the changes refer to the methods of teaching. As she said, only some words were changed in the books and added that there is no need for brutalities that were made to be written in the books.

(CS)

[05] The self-styled government is selling Greek Cypriot property in Famagusta

The money taken from this sale will be deposited in an account of the self-styled council of ministers and the money collected will be paid as compensation to persons as equivalent for the property they abandoned in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus. The selling operation is based on the article 46 of the ITEM law, writes the paper which adds that the self-styled deputy of the Republican Turkish Party Okan Dagli is among the owners of the Medical Centre-Hospital.

(CS)

[06] Twenty one television and thirty four radio stations broadcast in occupied Cyprus

(CS)

[07] The Chairman of the American Illinois State Football Academy is visiting the occupied areas

The paper writes that Dr Victor Stanculescu is following the developments of Turkish Cypriot football for fifteen years now.

(CS)

[08] Yasar Yakis: Ankara is impossible to recognize the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´as a state representing the whole island

The Head of the EU Harmonization Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Yaar Yak1 has said that it is not possible for Ankara to recognize the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ as a state representing the whole of Cyprus.

Mr. Yak1 was speaking during a press conference at the Turkish Embassy in Berlin at the end of his contacts in the German capital Berlin.

Touching upon the Cyprus issue, Mr. Yak1 reminded that the Annan Plan had envisaged the reunification of the island and added that it was out of question for Ankara to accept the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ as an authority representing the whole island.

Pointing out that Germany - which holds the current EU Term Presidency- had launched an initiative for the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation, Mr Yakis said that during his contacts with German officials, he underlined the need for the Regulation to be put into affect before being changed by the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ in line with its own interests.

[09] Former Turkish President Kenan Evren supports a system of government in Turkey based on eight states

Commenting on Mas'ud Barzani's remarks to the effect that "Turkey must get used to the idea of an independent Kurdistan," 7th President Kenan Evren said: "No matter how much we deny it, a Kurdish state has already been established." Arguing that Turkey may adopt a state system in the future, Evren said: "We must not be afraid of this. They keep saying that then [Turkey's] Kurds would declare their independence. They would not. Why would they want to secede if they are given the same rights? We must treat the Kurds as brothers."

'Our Fault'

Evren spoke to Sabah with regard to Barzani's statements on a Kurdish state, Kirkuk, and the PKK. Barzani, who is the President of Kurdistan Regional Administration in northern Iraq, earlier said that "Kurds have the right to be independent" and that "Turks, Iranians, and Arabs must get used to this idea." Commenting on these statements, Evren said: "He is talking about the Kurdish state in Iraq. Do they have a parliament? They do. Was their leader elected president [of Iraq]? Talabani was. Did Barzani become their leader? He did. No matter how much we deny it, a Kurdish state has been established there. It is our fault. We did not do what was necessary at the time. There is nothing we can do this late in the game. When they say that 'this is Iraqi land' or 'this is a Kurdish state,' perhaps there will be a federation on Iraqi territory. In the past we issued them red [diplomatic] passports. They were always treated softly. I did not favour this at the time. We should have shown our reaction then. I do not know how we should react to Barzani now. If you do not talk to your enemy, you have to fight him. Consequently, we must talk. I agree with Foreign Minister Gul that 'we must talk even to our enemies.'"

'Live Like Brothers'

Evren also said that Turkey must not enter Kirkuk. He said: "We have rights in Kirkuk and we must defend them, but I am opposed to going there and occupying it. Turkey would pit itself against the whole world if it enters Kirkuk."

The 7th president also reiterated his position that he would not be perturbed by the entry of the Democratic Society Party [DTP] into the Assembly. Insisting that the DTP's inclusion in parliament would be of benefit to Turkey in the long run, Evren said that "nothing will happen if the DTP enters the Assembly." He continued: "There may be some clashes at the beginning, but these would eventually die down. This would reduce strains in Turkey. Communists, rightists, Islamists are already in the Assembly. Let this one enter also. Why is a party formed if it cannot enter the Assembly? We must learn to live like brothers. I said earlier that the [national electoral] threshold may be reduced to 7 percent."

Stating that he has not met [senior DTP leader] Leyla Zana thus far, Evren said: "Zana has not asked me for an appointment. If she does, I will talk to her."

State System Possible

Insisting that a [federal] state system may be adopted in the future, Evren said that he issued a statutory edict many years ago for the establishment of a regional governorship, but that the Ozal government did not approve it. Pointing out that "it is not good to decentralize authority that much," Evren said: "We thought that these regional governorships could some day turn into states. We must not be afraid of that. They keep saying that then the Kurds would declare independence. They would not. Why would they want to secede if they are given the same rights? We must treat the Kurds as brothers. I do not know when, but Turkey may adopt a state system in the future." Underscoring that Turks and Kurds are "from same dough," Evren said: "We do not discriminate here. In the military, we have had Kurdish full generals. Indeed, they used to say that former Chief of the General Staff Cemal Gursel was Kurdish. That may not be true, I do not know, but we do not make such distinctions."

US Taking Revenge

Evren also commented on remarks by DTP Diyarbakir Province Chairman Hilmi Aydogdu to the effect that "Turkey will find us standing before it if it enters Kirkuk." These remarks resulted in Aydogdu's arrest. Evren said: "Those remarks are a crime. I was perturbed by them." He continued: "If he speaks up that way, he will be accorded the treatment prescribed by the laws. The party will be shut down if it engages in activities that are unconstitutional. Consequently, they must not engage in separatism. Otherwise, they will lose their chance to enter the Assembly. Now there is a separate Kurdish state there. However, we are to blame for that. The United States requested the use of our bases for its military campaign in Iraq. The government promised to comply but it did not keep its promise. That was very bad. Now the United States is taking revenge for that."

From 'Kart Kurt' to State System

When Evren became "state president" after the military coup of 12 September 1980, he said: "There is no such thing as a Kurd. They are mountain Turks. Their name comes from the 'kart kurt' sound our people in the Southeast make when they walk on the mountains and in the snow. That is why they are known by this name."

On the same issue, Turkish dailies HURRIYET and SABAH newspapers (01.03.07) report that according to the Former Turkish President retired General Kenan Evren, Turkey should be divided into eight states namely, Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Erzurum, Diyarbakir, Adana, Eskisehir and Trabzon.

Evren said that it was very difficult to rule 81 provinces from Ankara. He added: When I was the President, the Interior Minister told me this. I was losing my sleep. I do not know, in 20 or 30 or 50 years time, these will become states. I am not speaking about federation. I had visited Bavaria, they had hoisted three flags, one was Turkish, the other one was German flag, and when I had asked what is the third flag, they said that it is the flag of the Bavarian state.

Most of the countries have this. I am 90 years old. Most probably I will not be able to see it. But one day Turkey definitely will take these steps. Otherwise it is not possible for us to have peace and calm. At present there are people on the stage who claim to save the fatherland. These are people who are unable to keep in step with the world.

In his statements to SABAH, Evren goes on and adds that as military council during the 1980 September military take over, as Council members they adopted a decree regarding regional governorship but when late Turgut Ozal won the elections and came to power, had opposed the idea.

Reacting the political Parties, Republican Peoples´ Party´s (CHP), the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), True Path Party (DYP), Nationalist Action Party, (MHP) and Great Unity Party (BBP) strongly criticized Evren for his statements while the ruling Justice and Development Party´s (AKP) approach was more mild. The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party, (DTP) has welcomed Evren´s statements.

Meanwhile, former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, said that adopting states system was always on the agenda, however, because of the fear that it might harm Turkeys integrity it was abandoned.

(MHY)

[10] DTP leader re-elected and announces his party´s aim to go for the Parliament

Turk, in a speech he made at the DTP's First Extraordinary Congress held in the Kocatepe Cultural Center, asserted that those who have been elected in Turkey have been unable to generate projects with regard to a number of problems, and particularly the "Kurdish issue."

Stating that Turkey, as a Middle Eastern country, has been impacted by the chaos in the region, Turk said: "The 20 million Kurds in Turkey expect the Kurdish issue to be resolved within Turkey's wholeness" [i.e., by maintaining Turkey's territorial integrity].

Declaring that an environment must be created within which the Kurdish people will live on an equal, free, and humane basis, Turk said that on the day that Turkey escapes from its phobia of being divided, "it will solve the Kurdish issue."

Touching upon the developments in Northern Iraq, Turk noted that the Turkomans there have four parliamentary deputies. Turk spoke as follows:

"Did Turkey ever do anything for the Turkomans when they were facing the oppression of Saddam [Husayn]? Did it not engage in dialogue with Saddam? Turkey's reactions today are not on account of the Turkomans, but on account of the Kurdish federal state there. This is why the DTP Diyarbakir Provincial Chairman reacted the way he did."

Asserting that the Kurdish issue is a matter that should be resolved on the basis of internal dynamics, Turk said: "We cannot resolve this issue by turning it over to the United States, or by a mentality of denial and annihilation. Over the past 30 years, we have lost 40 thousand lives and billions of dollars because of this mindset."

Political Amnesty

Turk continued as follows:

"Come and let us organize peace together. Many opportunities have been created for this. The PKK has instituted a cease-fire based on the appeal by intellectuals and ourselves. I believe that this historic opportunity has to be taken up. We do not want to see the month of May as the month in which the cease-fire is broken. But you as well should show your good will. This would be possible through a political amnesty that would encompass everyone. Let us bring this about. This would make important contributions to peace. But even this will not be sufficient, in and of itself, for a solution to this problem."

Turk, indicating that, in the various countries of the world, problems of this type are evaluated "either within a unitary state structure or else in accord with geographical region," gave the examples of countries like Spain, Greece, and [Mountainous] Qarabagh. Stating that every country has its own conditions, specific to itself, Turk said that these examples do not have to be taken on a one-for-one basis, but that solutions can be found with the logic presented by the circumstances.

Turk said: "Our country's future is the future of all of us. The lives that have been lost represent the lives of all of us. The screams that have been cried out are the screams of all of us." He noted that no country can resolve its problems through force of arms.

Declaring that, in Turkey, the ten-percent electoral threshold had been placed in order to prevent the Kurds from entering into the Parliament, Turk charged that this threshold is a consequence of democracy being prevented. Turk said: "We will definitely have a group in Parliament in this session, however."

Indicating that his party wants to enter into the elections by forming a partnership with Turkey's democratic forces, Turk said: "We are going to aim for the Parliament, even if with independent candidates."

Subtitle: Aysel Tugluk's Speech

Meanwhile, DTP Deputy Chairwoman Aysel Tugluk claimed that "it is a historic opportunity that the demand for Turkey's democratization and a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue has gone beyond being a demand of the Kurds alone, and has come to be a demand of capitalist groups like TUSIAD [Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association], and gradually of society."

Tugluk spoke as follows:

"It is clear that, while we democratic forces are seeking to exploit this historic opportunity for the benefit of our peoples, reactionary, status-quo-ist circles, who seek to benefit by keeping Turkey, with empty rhetoric of nationalism, mired in regional and global conflicts and clashes, would seek to oppose this, and try to deepen yet further the contradictions and conflicts among the different peoples."

Aysel Tugluk indicated that the extraordinary congress was held in order "to take the initiative during a period in which an effort is being made by the opposing forces to thwart the move toward democratic change and solution."

Following Tugluk's address, a message from former DEP [Democracy Party] Parliamentary Deputy Leyla Zana was read. The message from Zana, who advised that she was unable to attend the special congress due to health problems, drew applause from those in the hall.

On the same issue, ISTANBUL NTV television (28.02.07) broadcast that Ahmet Turk was reelected leader of the Democratic Society Party [DTP] at the 1st DTP Extraordinary Congress. Four former DEP [Democratic Party] deputies, among them Leyla Zana, are among the deputies elected to the Party Assembly.

The DTP Congress was held at the Kocatepe Cultural Center. The congress opened with a one minute of silence for the martyrs who gave their lives for freedom and democracy. The National Anthem was not chanted at the Congress.

In his address at the Congress, Ahmet Turk said: "Turkey should view the Kurdish federal region as a neighbor, not as a threat. Mr Turk also said that the DTP is considering the alternative of independent deputies for the elections because of the 10 percent threshold. Deputy leader Aysel Tugluk, in turn, called for the lifting of the isolation imposed on Abdullah Ocalan, to whom she referred as "esteemed."

EG/

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