Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-04-10

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mesut Yilmaz states that the EU expects Turkey to contribute to a solution in Cyprus but claims that a solution is difficult.

[02] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides.

[03] Statements by the so-called Denktas/ Under-Secretary on illegal Bayrak television.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Turkish columnist says that Turkey is the reason for not having progress in the Cyprus talks.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mesut Yilmaz states that the EU expects Turkey to contribute to a solution in Cyprus but claims that a solution is difficult

«Two things were asked from Turkey for the opening of full membership negotiations. One of these was the full adoption of the Copenhagen political criteria and implementation of those criteria," Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz noted that in case Turkey's performance was found satisfactory, the Union would give a decision about beginning of negotiations.

Another expectation was the Cyprus question, Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz noted that Turkey was expected to support and contribute to the finding of a political solution in the island.

``In fact, we have continuously stressed that EU`s attitude is not objective. It is biased and has not helped a solution, `` Yilmaz said.

Yilmaz further stated that Cyprus was given negotiation process chance with the EU without a permanent political solution in the island, and added:

``In our opinion, bringing Cyprus to full membership stage is not only a wrong policy, but also has made the solution in Cyprus more difficult. If the Greek Cypriot administration does not behave willingly today to find an acceptable and permanent solution to the question together with the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus/ it is the EU, which has been responsible for these wrong behaviours.

Turkey launched great effort to find a realistic, and permanent solution on the island and we will continue to do so. I hope the Greek Cypriot side would contribute to the talks for a solution. ``

It is not easy to solve the Cyprus problem, Yilmaz alleged and noted that a solution could have been found in the last 50 years if it was easy.

Yilmaz also said that Turkey knows that the Cyprus problem is very complicated and the solution is very difficult, adding that the negotiating sides also know that. ``The EU should also know that, `` Yilmaz concluded.

[02] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides

Before he left for the meeting, Denktas replied to reporters' questions. Asked what will be discussed during the third round, Denktas pointed out that certain assessments were made during the second round, and that in this round they would see whether or not any steps can be taken to bring the two sides closer together. He said: "A half-baked agreement will be of no use to anyone. It can only harm the country. Israel and Palestine reached a half-baked agreement with haste, due to pressures. Now it is the civilian people who are paying a price for that agreement".

Denktas called for moderation in the pressures, adding: "We do not want another wave of migration. We want everyone and the world to accept the equality of the two sides. Nothing can be achieved unless our equality is accepted, unless there is mutual respect, and unless the past is remembered."

Asked to comment on a press report that the Turkish side will publicly announce its proposal based on a new partnership, Denktas replied that there is no such thing. He said: "What are the basic principles underlying the new partnership? We announce them every day. The Greek Cypriot side knows what we mean by partnership, and we know what the Greek Cypriots mean. The whole issue is whether we can bring those two concepts together. That is what we are trying to achieve."

The Denktas-Clerides meeting, which was attended by the two leaders' respective delegations and Alvaro de Soto, the UN Secretary-General's special envoy to Cyprus, lasted about one hour and 15 minutes.

When he returned to the occupied areas, Denktas replied to reporters' questions again. One reporter asked: "How did the third round begin? Do you discern any optimism on the other side?"

Denktas replied: "Since the talks are going on, we continue to try to reach an agreement while protecting our rights. The other side is trying to do the same. The whole issue is to look at the picture and assess whether the two sides can reach a common point."

Denktas said patience is needed in connection with the direct talks. He announced that the meeting on Friday [12 April] will be held at 5:30 p.m. because he will receive the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Conference on that day.

[03] Statements by the so-called Denktas/ Under-Secretary on illegal Bayrak television

He said that avoiding cliches during the talks, the Turkish Cypriot side constantly posits ideas, practical solutions, and alternatives. The greatest difficulty, he alleged, is the Greek Cypriots' refusal to accept the Turkish Cypriots' equality.

Alleging that the conflict in Cyprus is linked to the two peoples' identity, rights, and the guarantee of those rights, Olgun pointed out that these are the reasons for all the ethnic conflicts in the world. No community that has gained the right of self-determination accepts to be ruled by others, he stressed, and that is the basic reason of the Cyprus problem.

Olgun charged that economic incentives will not solve any conflict arising from one ethnic identity trying to rule over the other. Even if a temporary accord is reached, he said, the conflict will crop up shortly afterward. What lies at the core of the Cyprus problem, Olgun alleged, is that the rights of the Turkish Cypriots -- which constitute one of the two equal sides -- have been usurped. It is impossible to give up our basic rights and sign an accord because of economic problems, he added.

Ergun Olgun pointed out that during the direct Cyprus talks, the Turkish Cypriot side proposed that the Turkish Cypriots live on their own land as their own masters, within the framework of a partnership, and with equal right of say. The negotiating team is acting with this mission in mind, he said.

Equality lies at the core of the negotiations, Olgun said, the term equality is being used at every stage of the negotiations, and it is the most important and difficult issue during the negotiation process. He explained that the Turkish Cypriot side cannot become part of a partnership because an agreement cannot be reached on the issue of equality. He noted that the Greek Cypriots are not accepting the principle of equality because they do not want to lose the advantages they have gained until today. Olgun said: "By refusing to accept the principle of equality, the Greek Cypriots show that they intend to gain advantages in a new partnership and eventually exclude the other partner".

Asked how long the talks can go on, given the fact that an agreement cannot be reached on the most basic issue of equality, Ergun Olgun replied: "The Turkish Cypriot negotiating team will not abandon the negotiating table. It will try to achieve its aim by negotiating. However, if certain circles outside the Turkish Cypriots set certain dates, it is their problem. We are at the negotiating table. What we want is clear. If anybody abandons the negotiating table, we will reveal all the documents without any delay. The black-out on the news will be lifted on that day, and everyone will see what we and the Greek Cypriots have proposed".

In reply to another question, Olgun commented on the solution model proposed by the Turkish Cypriot side. He said that it is a new and viable partnership to be established on the basis of the sovereign equality of the two sides, that it is a new state in Cyprus. He stressed that the principle of equality will be reflected in every aspect of this state.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Turkish columnist says that Turkey is the reason for not having progress in the Cyprus talks

Mr Munir notes that the above-mentioned "diplomatic sources" say that the sides have put no concrete proposal on the table, add that the talks are heading to nowhere and warn that time is running short. They also express the opinion that the time for finding a solution in Cyprus is limited, because of the forthcoming presidential elections in the island, the possibility of Mr Denktas undergoing a heart operation and the EU Summit in December where decisions regarding the enlargement of the Union are expected to be taken. The Turkish writer continues as follows:

"Diplomats, who know what is being discussed behind the closed doors during the talks, express the common opinion that the reason for not having progress is Turkey's lack of a plan regarding what to do in Cyprus and if it has such a plan this was not revealed until today.

The sources tend to believe that this is due to the fact that there is disagreement within the coalition government.

Furthermore, it is not known whether the behaviour of Denktas, which is described as 'not making concessions', is only a tactic or it is a policy, which will last until the end.

However, the diplomatic sources believe that there are not enough reasons to panic at this stage and be pessimistic. The sources think that the possibility of a sudden change of the Turkish stance in Cyprus, with a sudden decision like it happened after the long lasting negotiations regarding the European Army and the Command of the Peace Keeping Force in Afghanistan, is not very far away".

Meanwhile, KIBRIS (10.04.02) reports that semi-official Anatolia news agency (AA), invoking also diplomatic sources, writes that Ankara has described as "positive" the proposals reportedly made by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas. Ankara has also alleged that the fact that for the first time Mr Denktas referred to "a new partnership" and not to his confederation proposal is positive and shows that the Turkish Cypriot leader "takes into consideration the sensitivities of the other side".

The sources, continues AA, remind that Mr Denktas proposed the "continuation of the existence" of the two so-called states in Cyprus, which at the same time will establish a new partnership. "The sources note that the most important point at this new structure, is the definition of the relationship between these two units and the share of authorities", reports AA adding that agreement on these issues will "contribute to the solution of the other issues" as well.

KV/SK

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