Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-08-28

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with Gunter Verheugen in Zurich.

[02] NPM/s general co-ordinator explains the movement's targets.

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat hopes for talks until solution.

[04] Church in occupied Filia village has been ruined.

[05] The occupation regime protests move to return to Greeks Cypriots their land near Nicosia.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] AVRUPA/S columnist argues that the Turkish Cypriots have no security.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with Gunter Verheugen in Zurich

Denktas and Verheugen, who met for a second time, exchanged views and decided to convene again when necessary.

Denktas said the meeting was positive, noting that he would meet Verheugen again if necessary. He said: "Such a long and detailed meeting with the EU representative is pleasing for us."

Stating that the sides evaluated the situation and exchanged views, Denktas said: "The Turkish Cypriot side conveyed openly and in a sincere way the difficulties stemming from the application of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU unilaterally, and recognition of the Greek Cypriot side administration as the legal government."

Meanwhile, Verheugen, who responded to the questions of A.A correspondent before the meeting, pointed out that the target of the EU is to take Cyprus "united" to the EU.

Verheugen said a process under the supervision of the U.N. would determine this unity. Responding to the questions of reporters after the meeting, Verheugen said the meeting was very beneficial, yet he noted that they decided not to give information about the details.

It was reported that Denktas invited Verheugen to Cyprus.

Denktas, who would leave Zurich this evening, will meet Kofi Annan, the U.N. Secretary - General in Salzburg on Tuesday, and is expected to discuss if there was an appropriate basis to start talks on Cyprus.

Meanwhile, talking to KIBRIS (28.8.01) the Turkish Cypriot leader said that he gave Verheugen a document with the Turkish views on the Cyprus problem and added that the European Commissioner exerted no pressure on him. He said also that they explained their views "in a civilized way".

Denktas noted the following: ".We met for two hours, which could be considered as a long period of time in diplomacy. He listened to us with interest. We had the opportunity to explain our views for a long time. It was a full dialogue. .There was no attempt to exert pressure, we explained our views to each other in a civilized way. .".

Furthermore, talking last night on the 20 hours news bulletin of illegal "Bayrak" television the Turkish Cypriot leader expressed the opinion that the important thing from the meeting is that the EU could accept anything that the two sides agree on.

[02] NPM/s general co-ordinator explains the movement/s targets

Etkin held a news conference today to provide information about the first national popular congress. During the news conference, also attended by Huseyin Alasya, chairman of the NPM Institutions Council Central Administrative Council, and other NPM officials, Etkin further clarified the principles and goals of the NPM as well as the activities and targets of the movement.

Etkin alleged that the NPM was established with the aim of preventing the attacks launched by the Greek Cypriot-Greek pair and foreign forces, who use the collaborators among the Turkish Cypriots as tools, against the vital interests of the pseudostate, Turkey, the Turkish Armed Forces, the occupation forces, and the Turkish nation on the island and in the eastern Mediterranean region. Etkin also referred to the targets of the movement. He stressed that the NPM wants to work with the aim of solving the problems of the people, enlightening the people against the psychological attacks launched by the Turkish Cypriot collaborators of the Greek-Greek Cypriot pair to brainwash the entire population, especially the youth, and stopping these attacks.

Etkin cited the main principles of the movement as displaying loyalty to Turkey on the basis of love and respect as well as loyalty to and faith in the pseudostate, fulfilling its duties with regard to the national struggle, providing salvation for the people along the principles of the Ataturk reforms and ideals, and holding national interests above all other personal interests while complying with these principles.

Also commenting on the activities, organizations, and goals of the NPM, Etkin announced that a national women's movement as well as a national civil servants movement will be established in the coming days. Etkin underlined that the activities of the movement which will be undertaken within the framework of its principles and goals will comply with the «Constitution» and the «laws».

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Etkin said that the NPM is in favour of a political solution based on the sovereign existence of the pseudostate and its sovereign and absolute equality, as well as the undiluted and unamended continuation of the effective and de facto guarantee of motherland Turkey stemming from the 1960 agreements.

On the subject of Denktas' upcoming meeting with Annan, Etkin expressed confidence and support for Denktas on behalf of the NPM. As for the subject of EU membership, Etkin said that this issue should be raised following a political solution based on «two sovereign and equal states» on the island. Etkin stated that Cyprus' EU membership should be effected simultaneously with that of Turkey.

Commenting on the rally to be held by 41 organizations, Etkin described the rally and the attempts to establish a leftist front as separatist actions that disrupt national unity and solidarity and divide the people into camps. Etkin condemned the rally and those who take part in its organization. Describing the timing of such a rally on the eve of the talks to be held by Denktas on the Cyprus issue as deliberate, Etkin charged that the aim is to weaken the stand of the Turkish side in the talks.

Referring to the first national popular congress to be held on 9 September, Etkin said that the congress will be a democratic people's platform. He said that the congress is convening in an atmosphere of fragmented unity and solidarity under the so-called banner of a multitude of voices, rather than in an atmosphere of unity and solidarity on the basis of the resolutions adopted by the «Republican Assembly» and the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The congress is aimed at defending and perpetuating the «state», which is the common denominator in the national Cyprus cause, boosting the confidence and loyalty to motherland Turkey and the Turkish army, protecting equal sovereignty with determination, standing up to foreign pressure, solving the people's problems, providing their prosperity and happiness, and reaffirming the national unity and solidarity with regard to the Cyprus cause and announcing it to the world. Etkin reiterated that the congress is not aimed at establishing a political party, and it does not come to replace the «Republican Assembly».

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat hopes for talks until solution

Talat remarked that the Cyprus issue always occupies a more important place than the country's internal problems, and his party regards the main source of domestic problems as the Cyprus problem. It is important that a negotiating process for the solution of the Cyprus problem be launched as a result of the Denktas-Annan meeting, Talat stated. Also underlining the importance of the meeting between Denktas and Gunther Verheugen, EU commissioner in charge of enlargement, Talat noted that this will show that the EU interest in the Cyprus question is high and that the EU will display a realistic attitude. Referring to the interest displayed by France and Germany in the Cyprus issue, Talat stressed that this will positively contribute to the UN process in this regard. The Cyprus solution process has been linked to a timetable since 1995, but the Turkish Cypriot side was late in realizing this, Talat remarked.

Talat said that if Denktas has the courage to rectify the mistake he made by withdrawing from the talks, important developments could be experienced in the Cyprus problem for the Turkish Cypriots.

[04] Church in occupied Filia village has been ruined

KIBRIS writes, among other things, the following: «...The ancient church which can easily be seen from the Nicosia - Morphou road, is getting worse every day. The door and the windows of the ancient church have been taken apart and its roof has collapsed. The fact that the walls of the church have been damaged and constitute a danger to the surrounding area, worries the inhabitants of the village. ...».

The villagers called KIBRIS` offices demanding the restoration of the church that «could be used for cultural purposes».

Meanwhile, the so-called director of the «Ancient Monuments and Museums Department», Ilkay Feridun, has said that the historical church came under the responsibility of the Evkaf (Religious Foundation) in 1975 and added that «for the maintenance and restoration of these buildings a huge amount of money is needed».

[05] The occupation regime protests move to return to Greeks Cypriots their land near Nicosia

The paper reports that "officials" from the so-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministry noted that UNFICYP informed the pseudostate on developments regarding the issue. The "officials" further said that UNFICYP was told that the occupation regime does not endorse such moves, adding that a protest was lodged in connection with this issue. The "officials" stressed that if the territory in question is given back to the Greek Cypriots, this will be a wrong decision. They added that the so-called Ministry is awaiting for the outcome.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Avrupa`s columnist argues that the Turkish have no security

«...I do not think that the Turkish Cypriots feel that they live in security. If it was so, the 70 % of the population would not be forced to leave the country. The rest did not remain because they feel safe. They preferred to remain either because they could do nothing else or because they support the status quo. And this is only for now, because the emigration continues in an intensive way.

What kind of security we have? Let us ask. Do we have security of our lives? No... Security of our job? No... Security of our health? No...Security of transport? No...Security of property or money? No...

Do we have things like human rights, democracy, freedom to think and express ourselves? No...Do we have social, political and trade union rights? No...

We have given them all up. Let us say, we are finished; At least let our children see a better day. Is there security for the future? No, there is not. Then, in what way are we under security Mr Denktas!

The only thing you consider to be under security, the TRNC, is not recognised by anyone in the world, Ankara pretends that she recognises it and is only a title. Thanks to you and Ankara, the TRNC functions as a Label Republic. The TRNC was and will not be a living, independent and democratic republic. ...».

KV/SK

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