Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-08-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NPM started showing its fascist face: Wants «Attacks» Against `TRNC/, Turkey, Army, Punished, Lists Demands.

[02] Turkey's Cem Cited on EU Process, Foreign Policy.

[03] Serdar Denktash - Non-recognition is not a problem for tourist flow.

[04] KIBRIS: «People drinking non-hygienic water».

[05] PUM criticizes the illegal Bayrak radio and television.

[06] Businessman in occupied Cyprus warns that he may be murdered.

[07] Turkey granted to occupation regime 1.6 million dollars. TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No. 153/01 11-12-13.8.01

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NPM started showing its fascist face: Wants «Attacks» Against 'TRNC', Turkey, Army, Punished, Lists Demands

In a statement it issued today, the NPM demanded that the necessary legislation be passed to start legal action against people who acquire Cypriot passports at the cost of undermining the national cause. It stressed that «the state must confiscate all the property of those who slander the state and the motherland with unfounded allegations and then seek political asylum from other countries. The NPM also demanded that the necessary measures be taken against those who sell goods to the Greek Cypriots at the cost of undermining the national cause. It went on: «The government must immediately prevent the activities of imperialist foreign forces that train our people in so-called workshops and that organize them without the knowledge of the authorities. The government must also take administrative steps against public officials who participate in these activities without a permit. The Council of State and the ombudsman must be able to apply to the judicial organs directly».

[02] Turkey's Cem Cited on EU Process, Foreign Policy

According to SABAH/s (10.8.01) correspondent Bilal Cetin Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem lamented the time that is lost in the realization of the requirements of the national program and Turkey's relations with the EU and said: "We must hurry up and avoid losing more time. Otherwise, we might suffer for three or four years for every year we lose."

Cem had a working lunch with the representatives of the main newspapers in Ankara at the Foreign Ministry residence yesterday. He assessed the latest developments related to the EU and Turkey's foreign policy.

Problem Caused by National Security

Cem avoided making a categorical statement on the controversy over the concept of national security. He asserted: "I would not make an assessment based on the views of a politician. However, if you ask about the links between national security and foreign policy, then I will say that we contributed toward the establishment of various parameters on the matter. In view of that, a problem is out of question. For example, the parameters on Cyprus and other foreign policy issues have been drawn up in accordance with the Foreign Ministry's contribution. So, as far as foreign policy is concerned, I do not have a problem with national security."

Although Cem said that a problem that affects Turkey's foreign policy does not exist, he avoided the questions that were put to him particularly on changes in domestic policies which concern the EU process. The views he outlined on various issues, from the preparation made for Turkey's accession to the EU to the Eurasia Project, developments in northern Iraq, and the Cyprus problem, can be summed up as follows:

We Might Suffer in Future

Relations with EU: Very serious results have been achieved in Turkey's relations with the EU. Significant progress has been made. We disagree on various points. But, we hope that the screening process will be put into effect in autumn. We secured the support of a number of countries. We have achieved the progress we expected in our relations. However, the changes that were outlined in our national program must be realized without loss of time. We have to hurry. The parliament was occupied with bills on economic reforms prior to its summer recess. It was unable to take up the constitutional amendments. The necessary law has to be passed without loss of time. As far as the EU is concerned, the ball is in our court. The national program we have drawn up is satisfactory. The question now is to quickly realize the requirements. No one will ask us to realize all of them. If we realize 97 percent of the requirements, no one will ask why we failed to realize the remaining 3 percent. Nevertheless, we must make an effort to achieve more than we have achieved thus far. Otherwise, we might suffer three or four years for every year we might lose. We have to realize a number of requirements that are related to the progress report. That is very important. If we fail to do so, then the delay will force Turkey to fall back while the other candidate countries quickly move forward.

Even the Period for Detention Will be Enough

Constitutional Changes: I made initiatives for the legislation of the bill on constitutional amendments in July. However, the parliament was unable to take up the matter. In general, I believe that a very positive package of amendments has been drawn up. So, the bill being submitted to the parliament without loss of time will be useful. The realization of the amendments will definitely contribute toward Turkey's relations with the EU. However, I must note that we cannot link everything to the laws and the constitutional amendments. Significant progress can be achieved through Government decrees, directives, and administrative changes. For example, the extension of the period a person can be detained can be realized through a directive. There is no need for a law for such a procedure. Even the realization of such a change is very important. Changes like that will activate our relations. They will make an important contribution toward them. They will facilitate progress. Regrettably, however, attention is always focused on disputes and other issues in Turkey.

We Do Not Differ With the Military Forces

National Security: The Foreign Ministry does not differ with the General Staff on Cyprus and the ESDI [European Security and Defense Identity]. We will not make a political or military mistake on the ESDI. The Washington Document satisfied Turkey. We won in Washington but the problem has not been solved. A common ground has to be found to safeguard Turkey's interests and remove the fears of the European countries. That is very important. We will seriously suffer if we are careless or if we are too cautious. We will be naive if we are careless. However, the ESDI project will be realized regardless of Turkey's requests if we are too cautious. In view of that, we are trying to adopt a balanced approach. We will not make concessions from Turkey's interests. The ESDI directly concerns Turkey's security. We hope that a reasonable solution will be found to the problem.

Message to EU and Israel: Turkey Will Seriously React

Cyprus: Policies on Cyprus are always drawn up together with Mr. Denktas. Turkey makes a serious effort to contribute toward a solution that will be acceptable to all the sides concerned. We seriously and sincerely believe that the model should be a confederation. We have achieved progress in the effort we made to persuade the foreign countries to support the idea. Cyprus has been the problem we have worked on most during the past few months. We are trying to find a solution that will be acceptable to the two sides on the island. Turkey will very seriously react to an EU decision to agree to the Greek Cypriot side's accession to the organization as the representative of the island as a whole, that is if we fail to find an acceptable solution. We explained that to the sides concerned and we believe that they realized the situation. The Greek Cypriot side's priority target is to join the EU. It does not give priority to the solution of the Cyprus problem. It agrees to participate in the proximity talks only for the sake of creating the impression that it wants the problem to be solved.

We Will Not Betray Our Friends

Middle East and Israel: Turkey has a balanced policy that serves its interests. It strengthened its balanced approach during the past four years. We improved our relations with Israel, particularly our economic relations. Meanwhile, we were careful to established favourable dialogues with the Arab countries. We informed the two sides: Our friendship cannot be used as a bargaining chip. We do not betray our friends.

Struggle Against PKK Continues

PKK: The Workers Party of Kurdistan [PKK] is now a marginal organization in northern Iraq. The Iranian and Syrian members of the PKK are returning to their countries. However, some of the organization's elements are still active in their camps on the mountains. So, the struggle is not over yet.

Eurasia is the Second Target

Eurasia Project: Turkey has two main objectives. The first is to join the EU and the second is to become a central and determining country in Eurasia. An effort is made to create a positive atmosphere for cooperation with Russia on the matter. Two countries want to have a central role in Eurasia, Turkey and Russia. Russia adopted a positive approach. Technical work is now carried out to realize the objective.

[03. Serda Denktash - Non-recognition is not a problem for tourist flow

According to KIBRIS (11.8.01) the so-called Tourism and Environment Minister of the pseudostate Serdar Denktash, has said that with package tours, they plan to bring in 500 tourists to the occupied area with three flights from Antalya to the occupied area, on a daily basis.

KIBRIS also says that in order to bring in more tourists there will be a meeting in the occupied area next week where tour operators in Antalya area will arrive in the occupied area and meet with the people from the so-called Tourism Ministry.

Serdar Denktash also announced that flights from Antalya to occupied Tymbou airport are going to start in 15 days time.

Meanwhile YENI DEMOKRAT (12.8.01) reports that Serdar Denktash speaking during a live programme on Turkey's TRT-2 Television has declared that they have as a target to bring in one million tourists to the occupied area.

Denktash stressed that the reason for not securing an increase in the tourist arrivals is not non-recognition of the pseudostate. He said: «Political recognition is not a problem we should not hide behind this» Serdar Denktash alleged that until now their promotion campaigns in third countries failed because of the Cyprus government which has created an image, regarding the occupied area that it is «the non-existing country». He said that from now on they will use the slogan «have your holiday in a non-existing country» in their promotion campaigns geared towards third countries.

[04] KIBRIS: «People drinking non-hygienic water»

KIBRIS claims that because of the loopholes in the legislature, it is not possible to intervene regarding bottling of water under non-hygienic conditions.

[05] PUM criticizes the illegal Bayrak radio and television

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr. Keskiner notes that in the democratic countries the state helps those who think differently to be organized and express their opinions.

PUM`s official stresses that Bayrak`s programmes are full of military ceremonies, voices of war and are one-sided. Furthermore, Mr. Keskiner accuses the occupation regime of preventing the Turkish Cypriots` right of being informed in a neutral way.

[06] Businessman in occupied Cyprus warns that he may be murdered

The announcement in KIBRIS (12.8.01) takes half a page and is published under the title «An important announcement to the public opinion of Turkey and the TRNC».

In the announcement Mr Ecesoy also calls on all persons, banks and other foundations to which he owes money to contact him within ten days and present proof or witnesses in order to collect their money.

Noting that the announcement has been published «due to an urgent situation», Mr Ecesoy concludes assuring that the amount of 15 thousand sterling pounds which he knows that he owes to the Akdeniz Garanti Bankasi, will be paid as soon as possible.

[07] Turkey granted to occupation regime 1.6 million dollars

/SK

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