Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-09-09

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with Kofi Annan in Paris.

[02] Denktas back to the occupied areas after a stop-over at Istanbul.

[03] KIBRISLI writes about a "magic formula" for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[04] The Turkish Cypriot press assesses the reasons of Denktas/ expressing satisfaction after the Paris meeting with the UN Secretary -General.

[05] While escalating tension over Cyprus Sukru Sina Gurel says that nobody benefits from the tension in relations.

[06] Libyan "Burag Air" has bought the four Boeing 727-200 aircraft of the "Turkish Cypriot Airlines" (TCA)

[07] The visit of the Turkish Minister of Internal Affairs was postponed to a later date.

[08] Threats against Turkish and Turkish Cypriot journalists; the dogs of Adali/s widow killed.

[09] Fourth leftist party on the way.

[10] The occupation regime denied Turkish Cypriot Journalists to cover the Latsia-Uskudar Handball match in the free areas.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] Gurel is the real obstacle in the EU path.

[12] Columnist in AFRIKA warns that if the EU train is missed the Turkish Cypriots will emigrate on a massive scale.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriot leader met with Kofi Annan in Paris

Diplomatic sources said that Annan asked the sides to exert more efforts to find a peaceful solution. The same sources noted that Annan had not submitted a written document, but he explained the views of the United Nations.

Later, Annan, Denktas, Clerides and Alvaro de Soto, the special envoy of Annan to Cyprus, came together at a luncheon. At the meeting, Annan invited Denktas and Clerides to New York, between October 3 and 4 after examining the views he conveyed to them.

Denktas and Clerides accepted Annan`s invitation.

In the statement he released after the meetings, Annan said that Denktas and Clerides will examine the issues which were given priority during the meetings, and come together in New York, between October 3 and 4, 2002. Alvaro de Soto, the special envoy of Annan to Cyprus, will assist the leaders during this process. Annan said that de Soto would work with Rauf Denktas and President Clerides to record progress in efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Referring to pessimistic comments in the press about the Cyprus problem, Annan said that despite several differences of opinion, a comprehensive solution to satisfy both sides had still existed.

Pointing out that both sides had separate and special positions about the Cyprus problem, Annan said that differences of opinion between the two sides decreased during the direct talks process.

De Soto also took part in the luncheon.

Denktas, in turn, said that the meetings with Annan and Clerides were well-timed.

Denktas said: ``The meeting was well-timed. We have a good and clear meeting with Annan. I think that he learnt many things which he didn't know. Annan sees a possibility to solve the problem.``

Denktas recalled that Annan wanted the two sides to come to New York after working for a month in the island and added that Annan would see then what they could do.

He said that Annan did not submit a written document and listened to the sides at the meeting and stated that Annan distributed his speech to the sides.

On his part President Clerides said after the meeting that Annan wanted the sides to come to New York a month later after the two sides worked on the views which Annan put forth at the meeting with Alvaro de Soto, the special envoy of Annan to Cyprus.

In a statement to TRT television after the meeting, Rauf Denktas said that he was happy to have held an extremely sincere and open meeting with the UN Secretary- General.

"I think that he learned many things which he didn't know. He has adopted a stand, which takes into consideration the difficult situation of both sides. This is clear from his statement as well. This is a good thing. It is natural for him, as a Secretary- General, to see a possibility for a solution. He believes that our differences can be settled. Consequently, he wants us to work next month and we will meet with him once again in October. He will then see what we can do. I believe that the picture will become clearer then," said Mr Denktas.

In a statement to BRT, Radio (07.09.02) the Turkish Cypriot leader described as positive UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's statement after the talks to the effect that there are difficulties. Denktas continued: "I had doubted whether everything was communicated to the UN Secretary-General. These doubts have been eliminated now".

Denktas, , will go to Istanbul later today after wrapping up his contacts. Denktas is expected to arrive at the occupied areas tomorrow 8 September.

[02] Denktas back to the occupied areas after a stop-over at Istanbul

Denktas was speaking at Istanbul Ataturk Airport on his return from the Paris talks. He said that he was very happy with the talks.

"Cyprus is not a political obstacle or a political criterion before Turkey's EU membership. Finally the EU too has accepted that. There may be certain circles who disagree, but what is pleasing as far as we are concerned is that officially, the Cyprus problem has ceased being a political criterion for Turkey's EU membership. Cyprus is Turkey's national cause. It is a cause of protecting the rights it gained through international agreements. Turkey has made great sacrifices to protect this very justified cause", said Mr Denktas

In reply to a question, on Cyprus/ accession to the EU, Denktas said: "The EU will be making a grave mistake if it admits the Greek Cypriot Administration as a member supposedly because it abides by the EU criteria, when the truth is that UN troops are deployed between the two sides, a cease-fire is currently in effect, one of the sides has imposed an embargo on the other, thrown it out of the state, stopped giving it funds from the budget, and is also denying its own Constitution. The representatives of several European countries are very worried. They have been telling us: ` We made a grave mistake. We were deceived. Please help us solve this problem/. We are willing to help them, but not at the expense of our sovereignty, equality, or our state."

Ankara Anatolia News Agency (08.09.02) reported from Istanbul that Rauf Denktas, said on Saturday that he is pleased with his contacts in Paris, adding: ``I can say with pleasure that Clerides has not claimed there that he is the government of the Turkish Cypriots and Clerides added that he would do his best to set up a joint government.``

Speaking at Ataturk Airport, Denktas said that they had a mutual-assessment meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. ``We are pleased with our contacts. We had the opportunity to explain to Annan the difficulties we face and all the realities for the second time,`` said Mr Denktas and concluded:

``We stressed that we are ready to make an agreement based on two sovereignties. We took great steps to this end. But there is only one state in the Turkish Cypriot side and this state has one sovereignty. It is not possible to reach an agreement by telling it that certain rights would be given to this state by preparing a new constitution and saying that these rights would be very nice on the paper. I suppose the U.N. Secretary General will assess these. We will review the things done with Alvaro de Soto within the coming 3-4 weeks and we will come together with the U.N. Secretary-General again by going to New York in the beginning of October.``

Illegal Bayrak Radio (08.09.02) broadcast that Rauf Denktas returned to the occupied areas at 12:20 today, after attending the Cyprus talks in Paris.

In a statement at occupied Tymbou Airport, Denktas said that it was seen in Paris that there are very deep differences of view between the two sides. For these differences to be eliminated, he said, the two sides must be treated equally.

He stated that the Turkish Cypriots will never give up their state, sovereignty, or equality. Once an agreement is reached on that, he said, the rest is mere detail and can be resolved easily.

The Turkish Cypriot leader pointed out that it is impossible to solve the Cyprus problem by ignoring Turkey's interests or the Turkish-Greek balance. The Turkish side is acting with goodwill regarding this issue, he alleged adding: "If a solution has not been reached and if progress has not been made, it is because of the insistence to solve the problem based on the UN Security Council resolutions that are no longer valid, without making a realistic assessment of the issue. Based on these resolutions, Clerides insists that he is the state and government of the entire island".

Denktas further alleged that during the Paris talks, President Clerides said: "I do not intend to become the government of the Turkish Cypriots. I do not claim to be the government of the Turkish Cypriots".

Denktas added that he was pleased to hear that.

[03] KIBRISLI writes about a "magic formula" for the solution of the Cyprus problem

The paper argues that the big states definitely want a solution this time and they will try to achieve a framework agreement, in order to avoid Cyprus ' accession to the EU with its current status, ensure Turkey's taking a date to start its EU accession talks and overcome a crisis in December which could damage the USA - EU - NATO relations.

The paper adds, inter alia, the following:

"The work of de Soto and his technical team on maps is now beginning to obtain a concrete meaning. De Soto and his team will work continuously with the leaders on the issue of the territory and adjusting the borders. The give and take procedure is now beginning. According to Annan's time schedule, by the 3-4 October meeting, alternative maps will be prepared on the issues of the territory and border adjustments and the sovereign territories, which will be left to the Turkish side, will be clearly defined. Until December everything will be ready for signing a framework agreement. According to the scenarios, which have been prepared mainly by the British, in December Cyprus' EU accession and the framework agreement will be discussed at the same time. The Turkish Cypriots too will participate in the procedure of joining the EU. The solution of the Cyprus problem and the full accession to the EU will be realized within 18 months. .".

[04] The Turkish Cypriot press assesses the reasons of Denktas' expressing satisfaction after the Paris meeting with the UN Secretary - General

Meanwhile, referring to the same issue AFRIKA (09.09.02) writes that "political observers, who evaluated the fact that Denktas sees positively the New York meeting", underlined that this is due to the fact that a possible USA attack against Iraq could mess up everything and remove the Cyprus problem from the agenda. "This is the expectation of Denktas and Ankara", observers noted.

[05] While escalating tension over Cyprus Sukru Sina Gurel says that nobody benefits from the tension in relations

In a statement at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, Gurel said that he had the opportunity, during the meetings, to explain Turkey's views and expectations in a clear manner. We also had the opportunity to get an impression about the EU's attitude in the coming days.

"I have to say that the EU, in turn, realizes what Turkey is capable of and its determination in furthering the Turkey-EU relations. We expect, therefore, that the EU will act along these lines," he said.

Upon being reminded by a journalist on the statements issued by Massoud Barzani leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, to the effect that the Kurds would not let the Turks have one millimetre of Kirkuk and that the Kurdish soldiers, women, the old and the young would fight, Gurel said that efforts to escalate tension in such an atmosphere will not be beneficial for anyone, adding: "We will do whatever is necessary; however, without making too much noise."

"Thank God that, at present, the atmosphere is not so tense. However, there may be those who raise their voices now with the hope that when the tension escalates they will be better heard. I would like to repeat that nobody will benefit from escalating the tension in the relations," said the Turkish Foreign Minister.

Commenting on the Cyprus issue, Gurel said:

"The contacts we held with the EU paved the path to another welcoming development. The EU gave us positive signals that it will take care not to connect the Cyprus issue with Turkey's candidacy process. They took care to tell us that they will hold this issue separate from the candidacy process. In addition, we had the opportunity to point out to the EU the points upon which it had an erroneous stand. The Cyprus issue is continuing in its own dynamics with the efforts of those who should conduct the talks."

[06] Libyan "Burag Air" has bought the four Boeing 727-200 aircraft of the "Turkish Cypriot Airlines" (TCA)

Three of the planes were sold to the private Libyan Company "Burag Air", while the fourth will be dismantled in order to be used as spare parts for planes flying in Libya.

Work is going on at occupied Tymbou airport to bring the planes to a flying condition and the logo of the Libyan Company "Burag Air" is being printed on them.

The owner of the Uygur Acuner Trading company, Mr Uygur Acuner said that he has turned the scrap metals into money by bringing them into a sound condition and that the aircraft will be in a position to fly for another ten years.

[07] The visit of the Turkish Minister of Internal Affairs was postponed to a later date

The Turkish Minister was to sign a cooperation agreement on the security of the coasts and deliver three coast guard broats to the pseudostate.

A statement on the postponement of the visit was made by the illegal Turkish embassy in occupied Nicosia but no reason was given for the postponement.

[08] Threats against Turkish and Turkish Cypriot journalists; the dogs of Adali 's widow killed

"ONLY SEVEN DAYS REMAINED FOR OUR DANCE. 15 September is the date when those who want to destroy the TRNC, those journalists who live in Turkey and according to our opinion are being organized to give Cyprus away and take money form the EU, and the children of all those, will be killed and we shall dance on their dead bodies where the name of TRNC will be written with their blood.

We have been patient for 40 years. You did nothing else but increasing our pain. Now, you will experience this pain very well. Only eight days remained until you feel the breath of the TRNC FREEDOM FIGHTERS who live outside the TRNC and number 21.232 persons.

FREEDOMS TURKS.COM".

Meanwhile AFRIKA (07.09.02) reports that when Ilkay Adali, the widow of Kutlu Adali, returned home from the "Peace and Democracy" gathering the night before, she found her dogs murdered in front of the door. Mrs Adali said that this act is related to the Kutlu Adali case which is to be discussed on 8 October at the European Court of Human Rights.

[09] Fourth leftist party on the way

Speaking for the group, Izzet Izcan, said that the group officially broke away relation with the PUM. He said that they will work for the establishment of the Patriotic United Front and once it is formed they will join the Front. He said that they have already started the preparatory work regarding the establishment of the Front. Izcan said that people having New Cyprus Party roots were against PUM's growing. He accused these people of expelling them from the PUM through undemocratic means and methods.

[10] The occupation regime denied Turkish Cypriot Journalists to cover the Latsia-Uskudar handball match in the free areas

The paper reports that the occupation regime first gave permission to the journalists to cover the match but it revoke it after an hour.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] Gurel is the real obstacle in the EU path

"One could hardly find another politician as likable as Foreign Minister Gurel who has a genuine smile and seems quite mild -- and yet harbours extremely hard line views.

Before he became a foreign minister, that is, when he was only a member of Parliament or when he was a state minister, that difference had not been felt in such a striking manner at home and probably was not taken so seriously abroad. That all changed when he became the captain, steering the country's foreign policy.

When Gurel stepped into Ismail Cem's shoes, he came under the spotlight on a domestic scale. Meanwhile, the initial reactions from abroad were of the following type: "Alas! How are we going to do business with that person?"

Just as his predecessors, Gurel has Turkey's interests in mind. However, he has a different approach. In his soft-spoken manner, he manages to say the kind of things that would be most difficult to digest.

From the standpoint of domestic politics, this stance may earn him certain points especially prior to an election. However, the same can hardly be said from the standpoint of foreign policy.

The most typical example of that was the way he referred to European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Verheugen as "an employee."

From the standpoint of politics he may have been justified in displaying an adverse reaction to Verheugen. However, there was no need to scorn the most influential Commissioner of the EU Commission or to provoke that person against Turkey.

If one tried to wear out a key official rather than trying to win him over through persuasion, would that serve any useful purpose? It is hard to see that.

Gurel's overall approach to the EU issue consistently creates a "negative" climate. That may not have been his aim. However, the stance he takes gives the impression that Gurel does not like the EU.

On Cyprus and relations with Greece, especially, Gurel is a hawk indeed. Naturally, this too gets reflected on relations with the EU.

Has Turkey benefited from the talk Gurel had with Verheugen in Brussels? The meeting which, in Zeynel Lule's words, took place in an "ice cold" atmosphere. He has done Turkey harm unduly when he should have drawn Verheugen to his side.

When a person with that kind of approach goes to Strasbourg and Brussels to defend Turkey's struggle to join the EU, can he possibly sound plausible?

During his trips to Brussels and Strasbourg he was met and treated in a manner that was in line with the value attached to Turkey. However, things could not proceed beyond that.

It is unfortunate that Gurel serves as foreign minister at a time the country is going through such a sensitive period and every step must be taken with the greatest care.

From the standpoint of Turkey's long-term interests, it would be far more useful if Gurel did not visit any European countries and, if possible, did not meet with the ambassadors to Ankara of the European countries.

Fortunately, this adventure will draw to a close on November 3, that is, in two months' time.

Subtitle: What a pity we have frightened Sezen

If the news I have received is correct, Sezen Aksu is going to cancel her planned Istanbul concert.

This is going to be such a pity.

Obviously the provocateurs have managed to frighten her. Due to reports which said that the provocateurs were going to organize the "martyrs' families" and raid the concert grounds, that they were going to stage a protest demonstration during the concert, Sezen is now inclined to cancel the concert.

Her reasoning is one of: "I am an artist. I do not want to get involved in that fight. I will not cause yet another division."

So the radicals in the minority are going to win. Is the majority so powerless? Will no one raise his voice?

It turns out that indeed, one could not comply with the Copenhagen criteria merely by amending the laws. As Verheugen said, the mentality has to change. In other words, one has to see the way these bills would be implemented.

Don't let us waste this golden opportunity. Don't let us halt the big change initiated by Sezen Aksu -- just because of the adverse reactions coming from a few radicals.

This can be ensured by the chief of staff who is at the head of the Turkish Armed Forces. If the military comes out to protect this momentum both the country and our soldiers will be the winner."

[12] Columnist in AFRIKA warns that if the EU train is missed the Turkish Cypriots will emigrate on a massive scale

"According to foreign sources, the population of the Greek Cypriots toward the end of the 16th century was around 20,000 to 30,000. The Ottomans had then settled a population of around 40,000 to 60,000 on the island. The breakdown given is as follows:

Some 20,000 people or around 6,000 families were brought from Konya and Karaman regions. Some 20,000 soldiers and 4,000 cavalry soldiers remained and settled in the island after completing their military service. The Turkish population in Cyprus then was put at 56,000, including some 12,000 soldiers serving at the time.

The first serious census, carried out by the British in 1881 after they leased the island, put the number of Greek Cypriots at 140,000, and of the Turkish Cypriots at 42,638.

Let us stop here for a moment. The increase in the population of the Greek Cypriots from around 20,000 to 30,000 at the end of the 16th century to 140,000 after a period of 300 years may be natural, but the drop in the number of the Turkish population to 42,000 is not something that can be explained easily. According to foreign sources, a very big wave of emigration was experienced once the Ottomans leased the island to the British. Those who did not want to live under the British rule sold their properties and returned to Anatolia. It is for this reason that the population had dropped to some 42,000.

The second big wave of emigration was experienced after the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. A provision included in the Treaty of Lausanne had rejected dual citizenship. Those desiring to keep their citizenship were given the right to make their choice in two years and return to Turkey. Through the encouragement of Turkish Consul Burhan, thousands of Turkish Cypriots had exercised this right and settled in Turkey.

In the period between 1950 and 1960 many Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots took advantage of being British colonial citizens and emigrated to Britain and Australia. We are not taking this period into account because this was a balanced emigration. As for the emigration between 1963 and 1974, this is not a very big number.

The third wave of emigration was experienced in the aftermath of 1974 [Greek military coup and the subsequent Turkish military operation]. Although official data on this issue is kept as secret, foreign sources put the number of Turkish Cypriots who emigrated at around 55,000 to 60,000. In such a case, the population of the Turkish Cypriots remaining in North Cyprus is estimated to be around 70,000 to 80,000. However, the population of the `TRNC/ is put at 215,000 based on official statistics.

The figures are indeed very striking. The Turkish Cypriot population melted away in time as a result of the mistakes committed one after the other, first by the Ottomans and later by Ankara. This population is now reduced to minority, not only over the whole of the island, but also in North Cyprus: Around 70,000 to 80,000 Turkish Cypriots as against 670,000 Greek Cypriots in the island. That is to say, one Turkish Cypriot against almost nine Greek Cypriots, around 10 percent of the island's population. If, however, the `TRNC/ population is 215,000 and not more, this means that we are reduced to a minority in North Cyprus as well. This means that the Turkish Cypriots make up around 33 percent of the population in the `TRNC/ and that only one out of every three people we meet in the street is Turkish Cypriot. The illegal workers, the soldiers and those who have not yet been made citizens are definitely not included in this figure.

What we mean to say is that the fourth big wave of emigration is on the doorstep should we miss the European Union (EU) train too through such a head count. No one will be able to stop such emigration if the Greek Cypriots are admitted into the EU unilaterally on 12 December. They could not stop it in the past; they will not be able to stop it now either. One thing should particularly be remembered: The case cannot be won through a head count in the same way that freedom cannot be achieved on the basis of price per head. We bring this to the urgent attention of Rauf Denktas and Ankara."

/SK

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