Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-04-30

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

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

[02] Denktas is to visit Bursa and Ankara.

[03] Denktas scorns Turkish Cypriots who acquire Cyprus Republic's Passport.

[04] YENIDUZEN criticizes Denktas/ statements on the migration of Turkish Cypriots.

[05] Ecevit: "TRNC/s security is Turkey's security"

[06] Yilmaz: "EU is responsible for the non-solution in the Cyprus problem".

[07] Statements by Sukru Sina Gurel after meeting Dervis Eroglu.

[08] The pseudostate/s so-called deputy speaker alleges that the legal Affairs and Human Rights PACE report is to be reviewed by Dick Marty and a Turkish Cypriot delegation in Switzerland on 28 May.

[09] Teachers Unions criticize the pseudostate for nourishing hatred among school children.

[10] "This Country is Ours" invited Papandreou and Cem to come to Cyprus.

[11] 19 Iraqis were sentenced to one-month imprisonment.

[12] Denktas raised the property issue left by Turkish Cypriots in the British bases.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[13] AFRIKA: Denktas is not fully dependent on Ankara

[A] NEWS ITEMS

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

The meeting between the two leaders, which was scheduled for 10:00 hours today, was moved to 12:00. The delegations of the two sides also participated in the meeting, which was held at the conference center near the Nicosia international airport.

Replying to reporters' questions after the meeting, which lasted one hour and 15 minutes, Denktas announced that the non-paper drafted by the Turkish Cypriot side was submitted to the Greek Cypriot side, and the Greek Cypriots will respond to this document at the next meeting scheduled for 7 May. Denktas answered a question on the contents of the document by saying that the document contains all their views concerning the solution of the Cyprus problem. Asked if the Turkish Cypriot side displayed flexibility vis-a-vis the Greek Cypriot side, Denktas said: "It is possible to show flexibility on the details as long as the essential principles are upheld. Both sides will examine the document of the other in order to do that."

When asked what will be the way of action of the Turkish side if the Greek Cypriot side, responds negatively to this non-paper, Denktas said: No there will be no negative respond, most probably, they will convey their own views to us, and they will tell us what and why they will not accept, and again in the light of this, these talks, these contacts will continue".

Denktas was also asked if there is a special reason for the departure of Alvaro de Soto, UN Secretary-General's special envoy for Cyprus, for New York again after a short break in order to brief the relevant officials. In response, Denktas said that this is because of the Easter holiday, stressing that the dates for de Soto's New York trips were set in the program drafted before the talks began. Denktas remarked that during his contacts in New York, de Soto will also brief the UN Security Council. The fourth round of the direct talks will begin on 7 May.

Moreover, Kibris (30/04/02), reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas, when asked to comment on the view that the month of June will be the month of ''locking the horns'' Denktas said that it would be wrong to consider June as the month the talks would be bogged down and added: "What we have said was that until June things will be clarified and we will know what will happen by June. We did not say that if nothing happens by June everything is finished, we have reached the end. So as long as we have the chance to continue the talks we would continue.

When asked whether Turkey and Greece made a common diagnosis as regards the Cyprus problem Denktas said that no such diagnosis was made yet: "They have to make a diagnosis together. It is clear that they did not make a common diagnosis, Turkey made its diagnosis and for this reason it is supporting us. Greece made her own diagnosis and she is supporting the Greek Cypriots, but, these diagnoses are diametrically opposite.For this reason the Cyprus problem continues".

[02] Denktas is to visit Bursa and Ankara

The paper further reports that on 10 May Denktas will leave for Ankara.

[03] Denktas scorns Turkish Cypriots who acquire Cyprus Republic's Passport

Denktas admitted that the occupied area is going through an economic crisis and claimed that this situation is being exploited by the Greek Cypriots. He went on and said: "This cause was won by those who stayed behind and not by those who left and will continue to win. Those who left one day will realize their mistake and they will long to come back. If there are more to leave let us open the doors, they are welcome to leave, but they should not ask to come back. You will see how many people will leave''

[04] YENIDUZEN criticizes Denktas' statements on the migration of Turkish Cypriots

The paper reports that while the process of the Turkish Cypriots migrating to the four corners of the world and especially in Turkey, Britain, Canada and Australia, is accelerating; while in the recent days there is a new wave of "migrants" to the free area of Cyprus, those who are responsible for creating "a country in peace", are confusing everybody with their comments.

Denktas' approach expressed yesterday is really interesting when one looks into the picture drawn by unemployment, the economic crisis in the occupied areas, the social and political pressures, the hopes that have been vanished over a night with the banks' bankruptcy, the non-solution in the Cyprus problem, the ever increasing crime-rates, the illegal workers and the unemployed university-graduates.

Denktas ended with a style the discussions about the "migration" that is going on recently in the occupied areas with the statement, "Let's open the doors and those who want to go let them go", YENIDUZEN reported.

The leader of the Turkish Cypriots Denktas did not only remain to these statements but he also added: "If there are more people who want to go let's open the doors, let them go. But there is no coming back".

Denktas, during his meeting yesterday with the Association of Fighters, did not recall his known statement, "One Turk is leaving one Turk is coming", but he added: "We will win the national cause with those who would stay behind and not with those who left".

Denktas' string of pearls was shining when he described those who are migrating as "poor": "If there are some people who want to go, let them go, but there is no return. Let us see how many people will leave. This national cause has been won with those who stayed and not with those who left, and we will continue to win with those who are here. Those, who left, will realise one day their mistake and they will want to return. Let us open the doors if there are more to go, let them go, but let them not say that they will return!"

[05] Ecevit: "TRNC's security is Turkey's security"

State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, the so-called Ambassador of the occupied areas in Ankara Ahmet Zeki Bulunc, and other concerned officials attended the meeting. Addressing reporters at the beginning of the meeting, Ecevit noted that he was happy to meet Eroglu and the accompanying delegation.

Stressing that the pseudostate has some serious problems, Ecevit said that all these problems would be overcome with Turkey's support, and the Turkish Cypriots' determination. "TRNC's security is also Turkey's security. We are aware of it," Ecevit added.

The meeting, which lasted for half an hour, was in a close press session.

[06] Yilmaz: "EU is responsible for the non-solution in the Cyprus problem"

Delivering the opening speech at the "Turkey -- Problems and Expectations on the Path to Europe" panel, organized by the Private Radio and Television Broadcasters Association, Yilmaz said that EU membership was not just a political project but a social one, which concerns the daily lives, working conditions and future of the Turkish people. Yilmaz stressed that the government's priority was to start full membership talks with the EU as soon as possible.

Yilmaz also warned that Turkey would pay a heavy price if it stayed outside the EU when Europe was being shaped by a new integration.

Touching on the Cyprus issue, Yilmaz stated that it was wrong for the EU to bring the Greek Cypriots to the full membership stage before reaching a permanent political solution on the island. He emphasized that the EU was responsible for the Greek Cypriots' unwillingness to find a permanent solution, since Greek Cypriots were relieved by the assurance of full membership to the Union.

[07] Statements by Sukru Sina Gurel after meeting Dervis Eroglu

Speaking at the meeting, Eroglu said that he would exchange views with Turkish officials on the latest developments in the economy of the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, responding to a question about the direct talks process between Rauf Denktas and President Glafcos Clerides, Gurel said: ``Rauf Denktas has put forward a comprehensive and productive proposal during the direct talks process.

This proposal will lead the Greek Cypriot side to reveal clearly its attitude. The EU ghost should not sit on the negotiating table of the Turkish and the Greek Cypriot side. ``

``The most serious problems of the `TRNC/ are water and closure of Ercan Airport to international air traffic. We have considerably solved the water problem by transporting water with balloons. However, a pipeline is necessary to solve this problem fully,`` he added.

[08] The pseudostate/s so-called deputy speaker alleges that the legal Affairs and Human Rights PACE report is to be reviewed by Dick Marty and a Turkish Cypriot delegation in Switzerland on 28 May

Unal Ustel, so-called deputy speaker of the pseudostate/s Republican Assembly, who was also the head of the delegation, said in a statement on their arrival that their contacts in Strasbourg were very beneficial. Recalling that they attended the PACE meeting that was held from 21 to 28 April, Ustel asserted that their most important achievement was to open the proposal concerning the "embargoes" to signature, to collect 38 signatures, and to submit it to the PACE bureau. Ustel said he believes the proposal will receive interest, and expressed the hope that PACE will appoint a rapporteur in connection with this issue. If that is done, he noted, then PACE will start to work on the issue of the "embargoes".

Ustel described as an important step the postponement of the debate on a report on legal affairs and human rights by Human Rights Rapporteur Dick Marty. He explained that the said report reached the pseudostate/s delegation with a delay, and that as a result of intense work, the debate on the report was postponed. Before it is debated by PACE, Ustel said, the report will be reviewed by Dick Marty and the Turkish Cypriot delegation in Switzerland on 28 May.

[09] Teachers Unions criticize the pseudostate for nourishing hatred among school children

In a joint statement issued yesterday, the chairmen of the two trade unions, Erdogan Sorakin and Ahmet Barcin, called on the "Ministry of Education" to explain the reasons for which some persons who have no relation with the teaching profession are sent to schools in order to create the feelings of hatred, chauvinism and enmity on the students. The trade unions demanded also explanations for the fact that 13 or 15 year old students are led to the military camps to be trained in shooting.

[10] "This Country is Ours" invited Papandreou and Cem to come to Cyprus

Erdogan Sorakin said that they are responsible as Turkey and Greece to achieve a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.

[11] 19 Iraqis were sentenced to one-month imprisonment

[12] Denktas raised the property issue left by Turkish Cypriots in the British bases

Complaining that he has several times written to the British High Commissioner but the issue remained unsolved, Denktas noted that the property left in the British bases were destroyed because of lack of maintenance and it is difficult to understand this indifference.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[13] AFRIKA: Denktas is not fully dependent on Ankara

"Let us remember what Denktas has said: 'I apply the decisions of the Turkey 's Grand National Assembly' (TGNA).

We shall not ask why he applies the decisions of TGNA and he does not apply the decisions of the assembly of TRNC, because there is no difference between our assembly and TGNA and because our assembly applies the decisions of the TGNA, like Denktas does. We really want to ask another thing. Does Denktas really apply the TGNA decisions?

It has not been possible to completely reveal the relations between Ankara and Denktas until now. It is still a matter of discussion who drags who. Does Turkey drag Denktas or does Denktas drag Turkey? The fact that he remained for a long time at his post and his name is known all over the world, saved Denktas from being fully dependent on Ankara. In other words, Denktas may not apply all the commands he is given or he may say `yes/ but after that do whatever he thinks. The field for maneuvers is wide on this issue.

Hasan Isik, one of the most important statesmen in Turkey, once told us: 'Denktas came to a position that he could defy Turkey'.

This had been said at the beginning of the eighties. Twenty years passed since then. Denktas has further strengthened his position. He has been ossified in that chair.

For this reason Ankara cannot be relieved, if it does not deal very carefully with Denktas. That is why it brought Eroglu along with him. It put him as a candidate against him in the elections and threatened him. The open message was the following: If you do not listen to me, I have another alternative.

Do you think it was without any reason that Denktas was running up and down to win the elections without taking into consideration his age? From time to time Ankara tries to scare him and tighten the reins on him.

Why did we write all these today? Because Eroglu has been called to Ankara. Everybody asks rightfully: Is there a difference again between Ankara and Denktas? Is Denktas doing whatever he wants at the talks without listening to the instructions of Ankara? Will Ankara want Eroglu's help on this? Is Ankara's view regarding the solution of the problem different from Denktas'? We cannot tell, but as far as we are concerned Denktas takes more into consideration America than the decisions of the TGNA. In other words, America, which Turkey too cannot oppose, is behind Denktas. America, not Turkey is the one who for so many years keeps Denktas at the post of the leader of this region. America, which controls the world, has not preserved for such a long time any other leader except Denktas. Think a little, this very great Arafat is dying in agony in Ramallah, whereas Denktas is still playing and dancing".

KV/SK

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