Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-05-07

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] UN Secretary-General to visit Cyprus in May.

[02] Reaction by the Turkish Cypriot leader to a statement by the UN Security Council.

[03] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader aboard a Turkish frigate.

[04] `Final/ round of Cyprus talks.

[05] The Republican Turkish Party welcomes Kofi Annan/s visit and calls for a positive attitude.

[06] TUSIAD President calls for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[07] German MP/s call on the two sides to forget the past.

[08] A delegation of Lebanese students visited the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] The Turkish Cypriot leader is accused of maintaining an inflexible attitude.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] UN Secretary-General to visit Cyprus in May

Sources told the A.A correspondent on Thursday that the date of Annan`s visit to Cyprus had not been set yet.

Annan is expected to come to the island till May 14, and to come together with Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas, and President Glafcos Clerides separately on May 15.

United Nations Secretary-General Annan is expected to ask both Denktas and Clerides to record progress in the direct talks process till June.

After wrapping up his contacts in Cyprus, Annan will leave the island for East Timor to attend the independence day ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council discussed the Cyprus issue at its meeting earlier in the day. Annan`s Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro de Soto has been informing the United Nations Security Council on the recent developments on the island.

[02] Reaction by the Turkish Cypriot leader to a statement by the UN Security Council

In reply to a question on whether UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is expected to arrive in Cyprus in mid-May, will be submitting a new solution plan to the sides, Denktas said: "The Secretary-General saw our reaction on 8 November 2000. I am hoping that he will not take such an initiative."

Ankara Anatolia (03.05.02) further reports Denktas as having said: "I initiated these talks with the condition that they be held under equal conditions and that all issues be discussed. I did not initiate these talks to exalt an existing Cyprus government or state and to place my people as 'a minority under protection' within such a formation."

Referring to the status of De Soto in the negotiation process, Denktas recalled that when the direct talks started, an agreement was reached that De Soto's role would be to brief the UN Secretary-General on the course of the talks.

Pointing out that De Soto's role remains the same today as well, Denktas continued: "Therefore, what is more important than our cooperation with him is that De Soto cooperates with us and, while he is fulfilling his task, help the UN Security Council make a more realistic diagnosis of the Cyprus problem. The Cyprus problem has not been resolved thus far because of a lack of a realistic diagnosis.'"

[03] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader aboard a Turkish frigate

Denktas was replying to reporters' questions aboard the Oruc Reis frigate from where he observed the Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2002 -- Search and Rescue Exercises. He assessed the Greek Cypriots' response to his proposals and criticized the Greek Cypriots. He charged that the Greek Cypriots are despising the great steps he took in order to reach an agreement. The reason, he stressed, is because the Greek Cypriots are hopeful that as the legitimate government of Cyprus, they can take the whole of Cyprus to the EU. Unless their hopes are dashed, Denktas asserted, it will be difficult to reach an agreement with the Greek Cypriots.

Commenting on Clerides/ response to his proposals, Denktas said that the Greek Cypriots' document was drawn up not for an agreement but for the Copenhagen summit.

Following the Martyred Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2002 Search and Rescue Exercises, which were conducted in occupied Cyprus today, Rauf Denktas and South Seas Commander Vice Admiral Yener Karamanoglu held a joint news conference.

Denktas said that he experienced a wonderful day, adding that Turkey and the occupation regime showed what they can do together regarding search and rescue activities, which constitute humanitarian services. Denktas congratulated those who participated in the exercises, who commendably fulfilled the humanitarian duty they assumed, and "who enabled us to live proud moments". Denktas also noted that "the international authorities that observed the exercises saw the level we reached in search and rescue activities." He added: The search and rescue mission is a humanitarian duty. The most sensible way is not to mix it with politics.

Denktas criticized the fact that the Greek Cypriots issued a notam [notification to airmen] to the entire world, referred to the illegal Tymbou Airport and the unrecognized north Cyprus, and claimed that this duty belongs to the Cyprus Republic. Denktas said: "People would ask them why they are not fulfilling this duty if it belongs to them. They cannot answer this question, because they destroyed the Cyprus Republic in 1963 and they have been exerting efforts for 39 years to deprive its co-founder of all its rights."

Denktas expressed the belief that anyone questioning why the Cyprus problem has not been resolved yet will correctly interpret the fact that, hiding behind the office they have been usurping under the title of the Cyprus Republic, the Greek Cypriots are even protesting against the discharging of such a humanitarian duty.

Moreover AFRIKA (03.05.02), reports that the search and rescue operation, which was carried out 15 miles off the north of occupied Kokkina and 5 miles off the north of occupied Kyrenia by the air and sea units of the Turkish occupation forces, lasted one day.

The paper reports that among the people who watched the exercise was the defence attache of the USA.

[04] 'Final' round of Cyprus talks

"The new, and perhaps the final, round of the Cyprus direct talks process will resume on Tuesday with the anticipation that in the new round the two sides will start to trade written proposals and try to bridge the wide gap between their positions on fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem.

The last stage of the third round of the Cyprus talks process was concluded last week with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Cypriot side presenting his Greek Cypriot counterpart Glafcos Clerides with 20-pages of "suggestions" that would "shorten a resolution of the Cyprus problem."

Turkish Cypriot sources said the non-paper presented to Clerides by Denktas contained points on the Turkish Cypriot position regarding all aspects of the Cyprus problem and also included some suggestions made by Clerides during the direct talks process.

The sources said Denktas sincerely hoped that the Greek Cypriot leadership would brush aside the policy of denial, acknowledge the realities on Cyprus, and join their Turkish Cypriot partners in building a new partnership state on the island.

The sources said a public statement by the Greek Cypriot leadership, or a clear expression at the talks, that the internationally-recognized "Republic of Cyprus" did not represent the Turkish Cypriot people and that there were two "working democracies of two peoples of Cyprus" would open-wide the doors to a quick resolution of the Cyprus problem.

According to well-placed diplomatic sources, the 20-page "suggestions" that underlined the "vision" of the Turkish Cypriot side for the future of Cyprus, was an "updated compilation" of the proposals the Turkish Cypriot leader has presented to the Greek Cypriot side over the past several years.

Stressing that so far the Greek Cypriot side has not presented any tangible written proposal making their vision of the island's future clear, the sources said Denktas has undertaken a courageous move by presenting a new set of proposals to the Greek Cypriot leadership.

The sources said the latest 20-page document was an "updated compilation" of previous offers and it provided some "flexibility in details," but maintained the fundamental points that Denktas has been stating for the past several years.

Underlining that the Turkish Cypriot side had abided with the "news blackout" decision, the sources refused to reveal the details of the new Denktas plan. Some details of the plan, however, were leaked to the Greek Cypriot press moments after Denktas presented it to Clerides.

According to reports in the Greek Cypriot press, which have neither been confirmed nor denied by the Turkish Cypriot sources, Denktas has proposed the creation of a new "United States of Cyprus" from the two existing states on the island. The new Cypriot state would be sovereign over the entire island and would have an international identity, while the two states composing the new state would be sovereign in their areas and in the fields in which they would retain sovereignty rights.

The new partnership state would demonstrate at every level and platform that it is the joint state of the two equal states of Cyprus, would have a presidential council with a rotating presidency and a cabinet composed of an equal number of ministers from the two founding states.

The new partnership state would not have a constitution and the agreement that would settle the Cyprus problem would not only be the founding document of the new state, but would also serve as its charter.

Compensation and exchange of property would be part of the overall accord for a Cyprus settlement and would be resolved in a manner that would safeguard the bi-zonality and bi-communality principle. Denktas' proposal did not include a map, but underlined that the criteria agreed upon by the two sides in handling the territorial aspect of the problem would be adhered to. The fundamental points of the 1977 criteria were "economic viability" and "security."

European Union membership of the island would also be part of the overall settlement, and accession talks would be held separately between the two states and the EU.

Regarding guarantees, Denktas' proposals reportedly underline the need for the preservation of the 1960 treaties of guarantee and of alliance -- which provide Turkey, Greece and Britain guarantor status for Cyprus.

The Greek Cypriot leadership, while it did not categorically reject the Turkish Cypriot proposals, has apparently taken them as a product of an effort by Denktas to improve his image at the U.N. Security Council. Alvaro de Soto, the special envoy of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, left Cyprus for New York with the latest proposal of Denktas in his bag and to brief Annan and the Security Council on the latest round of talks.

The new round, which is expected to be the last before a June agreement deadline set at the beginning of the process in January by the two leaders, will start on May 7. According to several Western diplomatic sources, by presenting a new document at the last session of the third round of the Cyprus direct talks process, Denktas might have intended to kill intentions by De Soto, the United States and Britain to "bombard" the fourth round of the process with "concrete proposals" on various aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Greek Cypriot newspaper, SIMERINI, meanwhile, claimed in its April 30 edition that the Clerides administration has given its consent to consider "food for thought" documents that might be presented by De Soto or other countries interested in a Cyprus resolution, provided that the "non-documents" remain within the framework of U.N. resolutions that call for the creation of a federal state on Cyprus and the withdrawal of Turkish troops.

The paper claimed that with such "non-paper" proposals, Washington and London would try, together with U.N. Secretary-General Annan, to keep the negotiations process alive even if the June deadline passes without an accord.

Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot newspaper, ALITHIA, reported Wednesday that "Dayton after negotiations would intensify in order to reach some sort of agreement by June although there is nothing to justify any optimism at this stage." According to ALITHIA, the Americans along with the United Nations and the EU are determined to set up a Dayton-style conference where all sides would be forced to talk until there was a result. "

[05] The Republican Turkish Party welcomes Kofi Annan/s visit and calls for a positive attitude

In his statement, Soyer stressed the importance of Annan's visit to Cyprus. He said that an attitude that will yield maximum benefit toward the solution of the Cyprus problem must be displayed during this visit. Soyer also underlined that playing for time in the Cyprus issue, at a time when the world is expecting a significant step by June, is also tantamount to eroding the Turkish Cypriots and excluding them from the EU processes in terms of timing. He noted that the Turkish Cypriot side should not adopt contradictory stands with regard to the Cyprus issue.

Noting that one should not resent or get angry at the UN Security Council for calling, in its recent assessment, on the Turkish Cypriot side to be more enterprising, Soyer asked that everyone consider the reason why this appeal was made.

[06] TUSIAD President calls for a solution to the Cyprus problem

Speaking in the international conference on ``EU Membership of Cyprus ``In Istanbul, Ozilhan said that the people living on the island want installation of a final and lasting peace, and want the starting of a new cooperation initiative.

Ozilhan said that all the concerned sides have the obligation of solving the Cyprus question and contributing to the integration process with Europe.

``The solution of the Cyprus problem is closely connected with Turkey`s EU membership process, in fact both issues have to progress at the same time,`` he said.

``In case of a divided Cyprus, if southern Cyprus joins the EU, Turkey-EU relations will suffer. If EU does not admit Cyprus to the Union, Greece can blockade the enlargement process. The membership of an integrated Cyprus is to the advantage of all sides,`` said Ozilhan and noted that a united Cyprus which is based on the equality of both sides has to join the EU.

The Cyprus question has to be solved for further improvement of EU-Turkey relations, he said adding that ``Turkey has to fulfil the obligations that were included in its national programme. We also call the EU not to have double standards against Turkey. We want to benefit from EU funds which are necessary for us to continue our reform process.``

[07] German MP's call on the two sides to forget the past

According to the paper, the delegation includes three MP's in the Berlin State parliament, Felicitas Kubala, Ozcan Mutlu, Ulrike Allrogen and the members of the party Bilkay Oney and Ulku Caner.

Addressing Mr Denktas on behalf of the German delegation, Mr Ozcan said that they visited the occupied areas in order to be informed firsthand regarding the situation in the island and added that they intend to visit the free areas of Cyprus in the future.

Mr Ozcan said also that both sides in Cyprus must "close the history book", leave the past aside and look to the future. He noted that the sides must proceed towards reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem without blaming each other. The German MP expressed the opinion that both sides have good will in the face-to-face talks and alleged that the "Greek Cypriot side must stop claiming that it is the government of the whole of Cyprus" and the Turkish Cypriot side must stop asking for recognition of the pseudostate. "Only in this way could the sides reach a solution", he argued.

On his behalf, Mr Denktas claimed that the only reason he refers to the past is to explain to his visitors why the Turkish Cypriots do not accept the Greek Cypriots as the Goverment of Cyprus.

[08] A delegation of Lebanese students visited the occupied areas of Cyprus

According to the paper the visit was realized after an initiative by the so-called representation of the pseudostate in Lebanon and Turkey's embassy to Beirut.

The delegation visited the occupied cities of Kyrenia, Famagusta and other sights in the occupied areas. They also visited the "EMU".

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] The Turkish Cypriot leader is accused of maintaining an inflexible attitude

Denktas made a strenuous effort to achieve his objective in the talks. Obviously, he managed to have the Turkish side blamed again. The UN Security Council convened and adopted a resolution: The Turkish side must be more flexible. Denktas must cooperate with De Soto.

The Greek Cypriot side is rejoiced. It welcomed the resolution. All that it has not done thus far is to thank Denktas for opening the EU door for them. The Greek Cypriots, particularly Glafcos Clerides, are very lucky because a person like Denktas represents the Turkish side in the talks.

Denktas and Clerides have been friends for 50 years. Clerides knows Denktas well. He is aware that he does not want a solution to be found to the problem. In fact, that is why he encouraged Denktas. He informed him that he was ready to reach an agreement and then tried to adopt a flexible approach as much as he could. He said: I agree to have the Treaty of Guarantee maintained. I also agree to the establishment of a weak central government.

He went on to agree to many things during the talks. He was aware that no matter how flexible he might be, Denktas would avoid reaching an agreement to solve the problem. Even if he decided to change his approach, his adviser, Mumtaz Soysal, would have prevented him from doing so.

So, Clerides was not worried. In the end, he was able to inform the UN Security Council through De Soto that he behaved like a good boy.

How can Denktas' approach be described? He called for the recognition of his state and warned that the Turkish Cypriot side's sovereignty must be recognized. Meanwhile, he said De Soto must not interfere. Of course, he said other things as well and did not adopt a flexible approach. Had someone else represented the Turkish side in the talks, he would have placed Clerides in a very difficult position. He would have established his weak points and make him regret agreeing to hold talks. Furthermore, he would have proved to the world that the Greek Cypriot side maintains an intransigent approach. He would have said: "Mr Clerides, do you sincerely want to reach an agreement? Let us first decide on that before we do anything else. Let us move towards lasting peace by burning our boats at each step we take. Do you believe that the 1960 Agreements are still valid? If so, then, I will tell you that I, too, believe that they are still valid and in effect. In that case, I will return to the administration as the Vice President of the Republic. The three Turkish Cypriot ministers will return to their ministries. The legitimate Government of Cyprus is made up by three Turkish Cypriot and seven Greek Cypriot ministers. That is the administration recognized in the world. Let us then open Varosha and the international airport in Nicosia and allow the people to use them. Let us remove the restrictions on contacts between the two sides. All that will create a favourable atmosphere."

How would Clerides be able to object to such an approach in the presence of De Soto? Is it not true that his administration's legal status would be questioned in the world if he objects to the validity of the 1960 Agreements? Obviously, Clerides would create scepticism on the legality of his administration if he objects to them. But, the balances would change in favour of the Turkish side if he admits that they are still valid and in effect.

We have to establish a legal basis for our cause. That is our main problem. We have to find a way to prevent the Greek Cypriot Administration from claiming that it is the legal government in Cyprus. We can achieve that only if we defend our rights as the cofounder of the Cyprus Republic.

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