Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-10-26

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] HURRIYET cites reasons why the EU is not satisfied with Turkey's National Programme.

[02] Mesut Yimaz discussed Turkey's EU ties with Chancellor Schroeder. Cyprus also discussed.

[03] Turkey satisfied with Lamassoure report, despite.

[04] Reactions about the «passport draft - law» continue; the pseudogovernment forced to withdraw the «draft -law» in order to re-examine it.

[05] Former UN Secretary-General met with the Turkish Cypriot leader.

[06] The Foreign Press Union criticized the occupation authorities for forbidding its members to cross to the free areas.

[07] The so-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministry called on EU to see the realities of Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] A columnist of «Kibrisli» says he will castrate those who talk about the occupation in the northern part of Cyprus/!.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] HURRIYET cites reasons why the EU is not satisfied with Turkey's National Programme

Hurriyet has obtained a copy of the Progress Report which will determine the fate of relations between Turkey and the EU. The report, which is to be released by the EU on 13 November, will be reviewed and finalized as it was drawn up prior to the constitutional reforms endorsed by the TGNA [Turkish Grand National Assembly]. The latest constitutional amendments are expected to be taken into consideration in revision of the sections of the report entitled 'justice" and "interior affairs."

The preliminary draft of the report levels harsh criticisms at Turkey's National Program. Different units of the EU Commission have emphasized that the report was insufficient. After reading the preliminary draft of the report Turkish officials have started to exert pressure on EU Commission to ensure that the final version of the report "raises the Turkish public's morale."

Some excerpts from the report are as follows:

- Turkey's continuing discrimination against ships sailing under the Cyprus flag is unacceptable.

- Turkey's national program is inadequate in terms of its contents.

- This document cannot be expected to facilitate progress and to provide guidance.

- The National Program has been drawn up like a document outlining a national development strategy rather than a document aimed at ensuring accession to the EU. It does not cover economic activities and falls short of defining economic priorities. The National Program is not satisfactory because of these reasons. There is no apparent will to amend Turkey's national legislation in order to ensure harmonization with the EU.

- There is no clarification regarding priorities.

- Turkey has no timetable for abolishing death penalty. Information about military courts, which are presented in the National Program, are unacceptable.

- Turkey has failed to honour its promise to review its Constitution's provisions related to the SSC/s [State Security Courts] and the SSC act, which it had made in its National Program. The status of these courts must be reviewed.

- The support that Turkey has given for efforts being made by the UN Secretary-General towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem has been found contradictory.

- There are serious disagreements between Turkey and the EU on the European Security and Defence Identity.

[02] Mesut Yilmaz discussed Turkey's EU ties with Chancellor Schroeder Cyprus also discussed

«Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has declared that Turkey views the German Government as the architect of the candidate country status granted to Turkey in Helsinki, adding that Germany is continuing its support and the German Government will undertake initiatives to ensure Turkey's participation in the EU summit to be held in Belgium at the end of the year. Yilmaz held a one-hour meeting with German Chancellor Schroeder in Berlin, in which the two leaders discussed Turkish-EU relations in particular. Yilmaz held a news conference at the end of the meeting. TRT correspondent Revan Altiok reports from Berlin:

`It would not be wrong to say that Yilmaz was extremely pleased with this meeting, which was very comprehensive in content, as revealed by the news conference that ended a while ago. The meeting focused on EU-Turkish relations. Naturally, the two countries exchanged views on the operation in Afghanistan.

For example, in his news conference, Yilmaz declared that Turkey believes that it was Germany which paved the way for Turkey's accession to the EU. According to Yilmaz, Schroeder's remarks revealed that Germany's support will continue. As mentioned by Yilmaz in his interview with the German paper Bild, the deputy prime minister discussed the latest EU decision, which Turkey regards as a cold shower. Yilmaz reported that Germany will take initiatives to ensure that Turkey is invited to the EU summit slated for the end of the year.

Yilmaz also told Schroeder that Turkey has been exerting intensive efforts for years in the field of combating terrorism, which is supported from abroad, that Turkey's democratic development has been somewhat delayed because it failed to receive the necessary support in this regard, that there is a need to redefine terrorism in the light of the current terrorism threat against Europe, and that Turkey could play an important role in this regard/.

A journalist asked Yilmaz if Germany believes that the steps taken by Turkey on the road to the EU are too slow. Yilmaz gave the following answer:

`As for Turkey's slow actions, I would like to tell you that if we act more quickly, the EU will be more disturbed. According to the timing set by the EU, Turkey cannot become a full member before 2010, because there are 12 other countries negotiating for EU accession before Turkey. Some of these countries have concluded the negotiations, and some are about to complete them. The EU needs time to absorb these countries first. Moreover, Turkey cannot be compared to any of these countries; its population equals almost the sum of all these countries. Turkey also has certain problems stemming from its large size, which it must eliminate. Turkey is also a party to certain international conflicts. These must be solved. Justifiably, the EU does not want to import these conflicts into the union. Therefore, Turkey's full membership in the EU is a lengthy process. What is important in terms of Turkey is to preserve this perspective; in other words, the road to the EU must be kept open. Every step taken in this direction serves Turkey's interests, regardless of whether it joins the EU/.

Revan Altiok went on:

`There are three more points I would like to relate regarding Yilmaz's news conference. The situation in the wake of 11 September and the operation in Afghanistan were also discussed during the meeting between Schroeder and Yilmaz. Turkey conveyed to Germany that it would like to take part in a possible peace force in this connection. Yilmaz stressed two main factors. One of these factors is the participation of the Pashtuns, the largest population group in Afghanistan, in the new administration. Turkey also insists on bringing together the ethnic groups comprising the Northern Alliance on the basis of a lasting foundation, and ensuring that their voices are heard in the new administration/.

Meanwhile, Yilmaz was also asked if the Cyprus issue was raised. The deputy prime minister replied that the matter was discussed. Yilmaz told Schroeder that a solution must definitely take into consideration the interests of the peoples on the island as well as the balances concerning these peoples' relations with their respective motherlands. Yilmaz also noted that the messages on granting candidate status to south Cyprus will render the solution of the Cyprus problem more difficult.

Lastly, Turkey conveyed to Germany via Yilmaz its decision to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, especially within the framework of intelligence organizations. Turkey also welcomes Germany's new moves against possible fundamentalist terrorist centres especially in the wake of 11 September».

[03] Turkey satisfied with Lamassoure report, despite...

"With reservations on some points, disagreement such as the Cyprus issue, Ankara welcomed the resolution on Turkey approved at the European Parliament on Thursday.

High-level contacts between Turkey and the EU will continue until the Laeken summit to be held in December, with the positive atmosphere created by the report and the optimistic approach of Turkish diplomats for enhancing progress in Turkish-EU relations.

The exclusion of the part on the so-called Armenian genocide was defined as an important step in Ankara, which cleared the resolution from the "side factions".

Two points of the resolution, which was prepared by Christian Democrat reporter Alain Lamassoure, were named as key factors pleasing Ankara, one of which was the financial aid and the other, Article 30 which was on the participation of Turkey to the discussion on the future of Europe.

The Lamassoure report also mentioned the difficult economic situation in Turkey.

Calling Turkey to persevere with the economic reforms, agreed with the IMF, it was said that the first tranche of the EU's structural adjustment facility for Turkey will be released as soon as possible.

"The report gives support to the accession process," Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said, evaluating the resolution to the Turkish Daily News.

"Despite some points which we cannot share, there are also constructive and balanced approaches," they stated, commenting that there should not be a negative atmosphere regarding the report.

Karen Fogg, representative of the European Union (EU) Commission in Ankara, commented that the parliamentary resolutions on progress made by candidate countries are usually a combination of encouragement and criticism.

"I would see the resolution on Turkey in the same context," she said. The resolution, which asks Turkey to prepare a concrete timetable for the Copenhagen criteria, will be taken into account in the preparation process of the Progress Report, Gunter Verheugen, EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement stated, speaking on the occasion of the plenary debate on Turkey in Strasbourg on Thursday.

"The Commission endorses the ideas and recommendations put forward in these reports," Verheugen said, commenting on the resolution.

The resolutions are commented to be the reflections on how the European Parliament felt about a country.

In a clear stance, Verheugen also stated that Turkey should also participate in the convention.

"The Commission is of the opinion that Turkey should also participate in the Convention on the Future of the European Union," Verheugen said.

Referring to the recent developments, Verheugen said that Turkey's importance is getting more visible.

"The recent events have once more made us aware of the important position of Turkey. Its significance clearly goes beyond its geo-strategic position between the former Soviet Union, the Balkans, Central Asia and the Middle East," he stated.

Stating that despite the important constitutional amendments there is still a way to go concerning human rights, Verheugen said that since Helsinki (summit of the EU in December 1999), remarkable progress has been made in Turkish-EU relations.

Cyprus

Concerning Cyprus issue, Verheugen gave the following remarks:

'On Cyprus, we hope that the U.N. sponsored process will resume as soon as possible. Turkey has expressed support for this process but there is a strong expectation in the EU that these expressions of support will contribute to concrete actions to facilitate a settlement. The accession process with Cyprus and several other candidates is reaching its concluding stages. It is, therefore, particularly important that all parties concerned should take advantage of the window of opportunity to reach a political settlement. The elements for a solution, which take into account the interests and concerns of all the parties, are well known. What it takes now is the political courage to seize this opportunity to resolve once and for all the Cyprus problem. A solution will also greatly facilitate the development of EU - Turkey relations'."

[04] Reactions about the "passport draft - law" continue; the pseudogovernment was forced to withdraw the "draft - law" in order to re-examine it

"Yeniduzen" (26.10.01) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, Republican Turkish Party (RTP) leader, stated yesterday that the "draft - law" constitutes an insult to the Turkish Cypriots and added that if necessary they will appeal to international courts.

In a written statement Mr. Talat notes that in case the "draft - law" is submitted again to the pseudoassembly, RTP "will continue to struggle using all means against every aggressive and oppressive behaviours such as the passport draft -law and if necessary will not refrain from appealing for the first time to the international law".

Meanwhile, Cemaliye Volkan, chairman of the so-called "public" servants trade union (Cag - Sen) argued that the "draft - law" treats the Turkish Cypriots as if they are living a tribal life under martial law.

Furthermore, KIBRIS (26.10.01) reports that Huseyin Angolemli, chairman of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP), said that the "draft - law" is a sign of the outworn ideas of the pseudogovernment.

On the other hand, Ali Gulle, leader of the Revolutionary Workers Trade Union Federation, stressed that the "draft - law" restricts the right of the Turkish Cypriots to travel and forces them to emigrate.

Finally, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, so-called Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister, expressed the opinion that the "law" should have been enacted long ago.

"This law will definitely pass and obtaining the Greek Cypriot passport will definitely become an offense", added Mr. Ertugruloglu.

[05] Former UN Secretary-General met with the Turkish Cypriot leader

After the meeting Mr Waldheim said: "I hope the day of the reconciliation will come in Cyprus". Denktas thanked Waldheim about his visit and added that he hopes that this day will come. Then he repeated his known allegations that two sided are involved to the problem and there can be no solution when the one side says, "I am the government of the whole of Cyprus". The problem cannot be solved because there was not a correct diagnosis of the Cyprus problem, concluded Denktas.

No information was given about the details of the meeting.

[06] The Foreign Press Union criticized the occupation authorities for forbidding its members to cross to the free areas

In the statement, the Union of Foreign Press called also on the occupation authorities to show more interest in the issues of the press.

[07] The so-called Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministry called on EU to see the realities of Cyprus

The statement also criticized the decision of the President of the European commission Mr Romano Prodi and his delegation not to pass to the occupied areas and to have contacts with the so-called officials. "They act as if they want to wipe out from the island the Turkish Cypriots and the 'TRNC' and they did not ask to meet with any 'official' of the 'TRNC' not even the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas", the statement continued.

In the statement it is stressed that the EU delegation refused the invitation of the pseudostate and asked them to meet in the buffer zone instead. But the so-called Ministry described the proposal for a meeting in the buffer zone as unacceptable and that they ignore the so-called official authorities of the pseudostate.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] A columnist of "Kibrisli" says he will castrate those who talk about the occupation in the northern part of Cyprus!

".They want this order of things to continue, because they are nourished by this situation. They criticize the mistakes of this order of things and they accuse the Motherland as the only responsible for it. The only solution they think is to demolish the state and help the Greek Cypriots at any cost. The biggest propaganda they make is to deface the Turkish army calling it 'occupation army'.

If you knew what I could give to put under captivity these people who every day call the Turkish army 'occupation army', call the Motherland Turkey 'occupier' and call for co-operation to save ourselves from the occupation'. If you knew what I could give to say to these rented minds 'yes, there is occupation and you are my slave'. I would have forced them every day to wash my feet and when I am bored I would slap them. I would not use an ashtray to put out my cigarette. I would say 'Hey you, take out your tongue'. I would not search for a sandbag for training in the morning. I would beat them until I was tired, just for pleasure. At night before I go to bed I would ask them if they vowed not to say such things again and as long as their answer was negative I would constrict the collar on their neck and make the tortures a little harder. When I got bored with the tortures I would castrate the fellows. After that I would send them to the soldiers they call 'occupation army' and tell the soldiers to do the things that they know. .".

KV/SK

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