Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-11-07

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan's peace offensive is being turned into provocative. He will visit Turkey's puppet regime and its occupation troops in occupied Cyprus before visiting Greece.

[02] Sezer first will warn on Cyprus.

[03] The Justice and Development Party declared openly that it supports confederation with two states.

[04] The Turkish Foreign Ministry rebuffs JDP's Belgian model.

[05] Turkish Foreign Ministry Officials briefed Erdogan on foreign policy.

[06] Statements by JDP Deputy Chairman on the briefing by Foreign Ministry officials. He alleges that the illegal occupation regime is a state.

[07] Erdogan wants sovereignty for Turkey's puppet regime in occupied Cyprus.

[08] Denktas' adviser met with Alvaro de Soto in New York.

[09] UN renews push for Cyprus solution by end of the year.

[10] French Minister: Islamists' victory is the major obstacle to Turkey's EU bid.

[11] The pseudopolice arrested two illegal settlers who had guns and drugs in their possession.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Turkish Cypriot columnists see the army behind Erdogan changing his stance on Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan's peace offensive is being turned into provocative. He will visit Turkey's puppet regime and its occupation troops in occupied Cyprus before visiting Greece

Mr Erdogan also said that on 15 November he will participate in the celebrations for the anniversary of the declaration of Turkey's puppet regime.

The paper also reports that Mr. Erodgan made the statements last night after a dinner hosted in his honour by the EU ambassadors accredited to Turkey.

KIBRIS concludes that Mr Erdogan will visit Greece on 18 November, after his visit to the pseuodstate.

[02] Sezer first will warn on Cyprus

The paper further reports that during today's meeting at the Cankaya Mansion, the question of the candidates for the Premiership would not be discussed.

MILLIYET reports that President Sezer, prefers to wait the final official results of the 3 November elections and the swearing in ceremony of the new MPs before appointing a prime minister. It also adds that if Sezer, does not raise the issue, Erdogan will not discuss the question of appointing a Prime Minister. It is also reported that President Sezer will ask Erdogan and Republican People's Party (RPP) leader Deniz Baykal, as new leaders that represent the national will, to make the following joint statement on Cyprus.

"The highest authority of the state, considers beneficial that Erdogan and Baykal declare to the world that Cyprus will not be sacrificed for the sake of getting a date from the EU", MILLIYET reports.

MILLIYET also reports that such a statement will be helpful in redressing the misunderstanding created by Erdogan's statement regarding the Belgian Model.

The most important factor that lead Cankaya to feel such a necessity is that the new government is not formed yet, that the last National Security Council meeting prior to the 12 December Copenhagen Summit will be held on 29 November, and that it does not want to create the impression that within this period there is a political authority vacuum. The prevailing view at the higher echelons of the state is that it is necessary that the two leaders should reflect Ankara's approach regarding the Cyprus problem.

Subtitle: Baykal: Model Dangerous

In his turn the RPP leader Deniz Baykal said the following regarding the model: "The Cyprus problem is not an issue that could be solved by a single model. It could not be indexed to any model. For example, the Belgian model could have aspects that would prove useful, however, this model from our point of view, includes very dangerous aspects. To be inspired does not mean to adopt".

[03] The Justice and Development Party declared openly that it supports confederation with two states

The paper cites Mr Erdogan's news statements to NTV television that "no concessions will be made from the sovereignty and the two states and that the Belgian model cannot be applied as it is in Cyprus", and Mr Yasis' statements after the Foreign Ministry officials briefed the JDP, that "we were simply inspired by the Belgian and Swiss models, they cannot be applied in Cyprus as they are. At present there are two states in Cyprus. We say let them come together and create a new confederal structure".

Statements on the same lines were also made by Denktas' adviser Ergun Olgun, who said that there is no question of implementing the Belgian model as it is, but inspired by the Belgian, the Swiss and the American models we should implement a special model suitable for the Cyprus realities, concludes VOLKAN.

[04] The Turkish Foreign Ministry rebuffs JDP's Belgian model

Yusuf Buluc, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said that the Ministry' s preferred option to the question of Cyprus was the proposed model put forward by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas, rather than the so-called Belgium model suggested by the JDP.

"The proposals that Denktas brought to the negotiation table on April 29 and September 11, 2002 foresaw a new partnership state which had functionality," he said, adding that the Foreign Ministry supported Denktas' position.

Saying that the JDP chairman, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had spoken as the head of his party, and not as a government official, Buluc said that his comments should be evaluated in this light.

Under the proposal of the JDP, there would be a single state formed by two separate sovereign entities.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also described as positive the statements made by both the JDP and the Republican Peoples' Party (RPP) promising to work to promote Turkey's bid to gain a date for the commencement of accession negotiations to the European Union

"It is a positive development. Following a membership target with determination reflects the general expectation of our nation. Besides the continuation of this process, initiatives to get a date to begin full membership negotiations can be accelerated in the following days."

[05] Turkish Foreign Ministry Officials briefed Erdogan on foreign policy

Besides Vural, Deputy General Secretary for the EU Volkan Bozkir, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal, Deputy Undersecretary for Relations with the United States Baki Ilkin, Deputy Undersecretary for Relations with the EU Akin Alptuna, Director General of the Cyprus Department Ertugrul Apakan, and Director General for the Middle East Department Tahsin Burcuoglu attended the briefing that lasted almost two hours.

JDP members were informed about the methods to be pursued in relations with the EU and other relevant issues and also Cyprus, Middle East and relations with the United States were taken up at the meeting.

The Foreign Ministry officials did not make any statement when departing the party headquarters.

[06] Statements by JDP Deputy Chairman on the briefing by Foreign Ministry officials. He alleges that the illegal occupation regime is a state.

Mr Yakis first made the following statement and replied to questions: "Dear members of the press, a delegation headed by Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Ugur Ziyal and EU General Secretary Volkan Vural arrived at the Justice and Development Party [JDP] headquarters a while ago and briefed the members of the JDP Central Executive Council and party members on the eve of our chairman's visit abroad. This briefing consisted of the developments registered so far concerning the EU and the expectations of the EU from Turkey. We touched upon the various aspects of the Cyprus issue, and we reviewed the latest situation regarding Iraq. We were briefed on these matters. This was a routine briefing. Before his trip, our chairman wanted to update the information on these matters, and this is what happened. That is all I have to say."

Question: The Belgian model is being discussed with regard to Cyprus. Was this issue raised?

Answer: Among the formulas developed in time with regard to the Cyprus issue, one of the plans suggested by Turkey was also inspired by the Belgian and Swiss models, but it was actually based on the normal course of the dynamics in Cyprus. This is the plan submitted at present by the Turkish side. When this plan was prepared, in order to explain it to the European countries, we said that a similar model exists in Belgium and it is functioning, and we explained to the United Nations that Switzerland also reverted from a confederal structure to a federal one. We were merely inspired by these two models. This model cannot be copied exactly, because as you know, there were never two separate states in Belgium that later joined to form a new single state. On the contrary, there was a unitary kingdom in the past, and the structure changed to a federal one. Consequently, the marriage in Belgian was different. As far as our case is concerned, there are two states at present -- one of them the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," and the other the Greek Cypriot administration of south Cyprus. We are saying that these two states will come together to form a new confederal structure. There are aspects in this model inspired by the Swiss as well as the Belgian models. The model itself is a brand new model conceived on the basis of Cyprus' history, the parameters in Cyprus, as well as the direction of the dynamics in Cyprus. The reference to the Belgian model shows that it is also inspired by it. There is no such thing that the Belgian model will be implemented as it is.

Question: The developments in Iraq....

Answer: The Foreign Ministry officials briefed us on the latest situation regarding Iraq. They explained to us the point we are at now.

Question: Does this correspond with the views of your party?

Answer: It fully corresponds with our views.

Question: The Greek prime minister welcomed the Belgian model, saying that this will pave the way to the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the island. Can you comment on this?

Answer: If Mr Simitis favours the implementation of the Belgian model and wants the Greek Cypriot administration of south Cyprus to cease being an independent state and assume a status similar to one of Belgium's federal structures, either the Walloon or the Flemish regions, this is a very good thing. If, however, he wants to implement part of the Belgian model and not implement other parts, that is no good. We are merely being inspired by that model. He cannot just opt to implement the part that pertains to what he terms the occupation forces. Both of the elements that constitute the Belgian state have the status of federated state. In that case, the Greek Cypriot administration of south Cyprus should consent to renouncing the status of state, which it claims to have now, and adopt the status of federated state. If he accepts both aspects, then it is different. Naturally, this would also involve our other proposals. In other words, our plan is not limited to the parts inspired by the Belgian model alone. It is broader, and it incorporates and is inspired by Cyprus' dynamics. If he accepts that model in its entirety, we will be very pleased.

Question: Two Greek representatives are currently visiting the JDP headquarters. Before the visit, discussions began on the Cyprus issue. Will Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Greece turn into a summit of Cyprus discussions?

Answer: No, from the beginning, we determined the goal of the visit. We declared that we want to conduct consultations with our European friends on how Turkey can eliminate its shortcomings, if there are any, before the Copenhagen summit on 12 December. Therefore, this is the primary aim of the visit. If Greece wishes to raise other issues as well....We want to concentrate on how we can best utilize the period leading to 12 December in a bid to get a negotiation date from the EU.

Question: It is said that a solution is near in Cyprus. After the briefing, did you also receive such an impression?

Answer: Other than the visit we will conduct, as you know, there is another development concerning Cyprus. There is a document on Cyprus, which will be presented as the paper of the UN General-Secretary and parts of which were leaked to the press as well. I believe that the said document will be announced next week or within 10 days. The development you are referring to pertains to that document. It is not a development linked to our visit. What you are referring to is a development that was following its own course, regardless of our visit, and that will probably be announced on 14 or 15 November.

Question: You spoke of shortcomings. The EU was saying that the Cyprus issue is a problem as far it is concerned. When this subject is raised, what stance will the JDP adopt?

Answer: From the beginning, we have been advocating that the Cyprus issue is not directly linked to Turkey's EU accession. We maintain this view.

Question: What is the current situation regarding Iraq?

Answer: As far as we can understand, the United States has not yet made a decision. There was a UN Security Council draft resolution proposed by the US side, and there is also a proposal to amend this draft resolution. If this amendment is accepted, the possibility of an immediate military intervention will at least have been delayed. This is the current situation.

[07] Erdogan wants sovereignty for Turkey's puppet regime in occupied Cyprus

Akgun begins the interview by asking Erdogan whether he is hopeful about the outcome of the Copenhagen summit in the aftermath of his briefing by the EU diplomats. In response, Erdogan says that the JDP will exert all its efforts in that direction, adding: "We should definitely go to the Thessaloniki meeting with a positive response from the Copenhagen summit."

Questioned whether there is a possibility that RPP [Republican People's Party] Chairman Deniz Baykal might accompany him to the Copenhagen summit or any other visit to Brussels prior to that summit given the unprecedented exchange of goodwill messages between the JDP and the main opposition party, Erdogan notes: "If necessary we might even go together. Why not? Because this is a national issue for us. We might go together. The primary responsibility lies with the ruling party, but we want to conduct all our infrastructure work in consultation with the opposition."

Akgun reminds Erdogan of a recent statement he made to a Greek television channel in which he spoke favorably about a Belgian model with regard to Cyprus and asks whether there will be change in Turkey's Cyprus policy. In response, Erdogan says: "This statement we made as a party was, unfortunately, wrongly reflected in our media organs. We, however, were very clear. What did we say? We said the following: To begin with, we talked about two equal and sovereign states. This will happen. There will a single state vis-a-vis the outside world. This is the model we talked about. There were those who chose to interpret it in a different manner. We have also said that there are two "peoples" in Cyprus. There should, above all, be a conciliation between these two "peoples". Is that not so? This conciliation should be reached by those two "peoples". Let them solve their problem. Once this problem is resolved between these two "peoples", I do not believe that there will be any problems left between Turkey and Greece." Erdogan goes on to state that both sides should make sacrifices.

Asked what kind of sacrifices the Turkish side should make, Erdogan responds: "It depends on the situation at the negotiating table. Then the necessary steps should be taken." Questioned if the Turkish side should retract from the thesis of a sovereign state, Erdogan says "it is out of the question."

Akgun then inquires what the position of the JDP government will be in the event the United States decides to attack Iraq, Erdogan says: "To begin with, the United States has not yet adopted a clear stand on the issue. Secondly, the United Nations has not yet reached a binding resolution on the issue. Another issue is the absence of an international coalition on the Iraq issue. An international coalition was formed with regards to the Afghan issue. Now there is no such thing. One should note that US officials who have recently visited Turkey such as Pentagon representatives have said that the United States does not have a problem if there are no mass destruction weapons. Iraq has announced that it is ready to receive delegations that will inspect the issue of mass destruction weapons. All these developments are part of a detente process. Therefore, we are advancing toward peace. It is very important for us to take steps that will secure this peace.

"As you know, we were dealt a very heavy blow during the Gulf War in 1991. We are still paying the price of that blow. Unfortunately, the United States did not compensate us for our losses. I believe we received some $1.2 billion from Saudi Arabia in support. We received nothing else. Now we are still paying the price of that war." Erdogan then adds that "Turkey should respect Iraq's territorial integrity."

In response to a question on how the JDP views the formation of an independent Kurdish state in north Iraq, Erdogan explains: "We do not look warmly. We also believe that the rights of the Turkomans living there should be protected and that the oil in Kirkuk should be used by all of Iraq in line with the principles of justice and equity."

Questioned whether the election of a candidate for the Premiership will create problems within the party, Erdogan reiterates that the JDP policies are based on principles and not on individuals. Asked whether he will have a name when he goes to visit the president on 7 November, Erdogan says: "At the moment, we are not going there to discuss a name. I do not know what the honorable president has on the agenda. I, however, believe that he will make some suggestions to us with regard to the formation of the government. Naturally, we will bring them to our authorized organs and discuss them."

[08] Denktas' adviser met with Alvaro de Soto in New York

In a statement to Illegal BRT after the meeting, which was held upon the request of De Soto, Olgun recalled that for a long time now the Turkish Cypriot side has not had any contact with de Soto with regard to the process and content of the negotiations. He added that they seized the opportunity of de Soto's presence in New York and held this meeting. Pointing out that they made an assessment of the situation in view of the contacts de Soto held during the last month, his plans with regard to the negotiation process, and his views on the future, Olgun said that he will brief Denktas on the meeting he held with the UN official.

In reply to a question on whether the issue of the committees was discussed, Olgun said: "The issues were taken up with all their aspects. I, however, am not in a position to make a statement on the meeting." He added that they will hold another meeting today, adding that a decision will be made on how to proceed in line with Denktas' instructions after they return to occupied Cyprus.

Upon being reminded about reports that the UN Secretary-General will submit a plan on the Cyprus issue, Olgun said: "We discussed all the issues. I, however, will not make a statement on this issue at the moment. If a statement is to be made, it will be made later by the United Nations."

[09] UN renews push for Cyprus solution by end of the year

"U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is renewing his efforts to broker a settlement to the 28-year division of Cyprus into Greek and Turkish enclaves, his spokesman said Tuesday.

The latest round of talks, which started in January, has stalled over demands by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas for international recognition of `TRNC'.

Last month, Annan brought Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides together for two days of talks. But there was no breakthrough, only an agreement to continue dialogue.

Negotiations were put on hold until after the elections in Turkey, which gave a party with Islamic roots a majority.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the Justice and Development Party, said Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis was the first foreign leader to call him after Sunday's election victory. He announced plans to travel to Greece soon.

"We are in a crunch now on the Cyprus issue," Fred Eckhard, Annan's spokesman, told reporters. "Everyone feels that the year 2002 presents a real opportunity."

"Whether it can be seized or not is really up to the two parties and the Secretary-General, with a lot of support from the member states, is trying to maximize the chances of success in the negotiations by the end of this year," Eckhard said.

The U.N. Security Council has called for the reunification of Cyprus as a single state made up of ethnically Greek and Turkish regions. Cyprus is to join the European Union in 2004, adding a new sense of urgency to the talks. Turkey has threatened to annex the Turkish-occupied north of the island if Cyprus joins the EU before a settlement. Greece has reacted to the Turkish threat by warning it will veto the planned EU expansion if Cyprus is excluded from the 10 new candidates.

On Monday, Annan met with Washington's U.N. envoy John Negroponte to discuss Cyprus and the Secretary-General was meeting with other envoys to accelerate the process, Eckhard said.

"It is too early to predict how it will come out. Yesterday's meeting was just one more step in those efforts," he said.

Annan also met over the weekend with Denktas, who is in New York recovering from a heart operation.

Subtitle:US concerned Cyprus obtains US arms from Greece

On the other hand, the United States told Cyprus on Tuesday it was concerned about the acquisition of four outdated U.S.-made self-propelled guns from Greece, Cypriot Defence Minister Socratis Hasikos said.

The United States has banned the sale of any American-made weapons to divided Cyprus in the 1970s.

Speaking after meeting U.S. ambassador to Cyprus Michael Klosson, Hasikos said Washington had a "legal problem" over the Greek Cypriots' acquisition of the four M-107 175mm self propelled guns. They were obtained from Greece and first displayed at this year's October 1 Independence Day parade.

But Hasikos claimed much of the weaponry used by the 35,000 Turkish troops stationed in the northern third of the island were also American made. "There is no comparison between the two sides regarding what the occupying forces have and what we have," Hasikos said.

The minister said no fuss should be made over the now-obsolete guns, especially in a new climate of reconciliation and efforts to solve the island's 28-year-old division.

He declined to say whether the Greek Cypriot National Guard would consider replacing the guns as a goodwill gesture."

[10] French Minister: Islamists' victory is the major obstacle to Turkey's EU bid

[11] The pseudopolice arrested two settlers who had guns and drugs in their possession

According to the paper in a research operation that took place at the two settlers' house, at Koma tou Yialou village, the following weapons were found and confiscated by the so-called police: one automatic kalashnikov rifle, its charger and 20 unused bullets, 3 pistols, 4 chargers and 83 unused bullets and a quantity of drug in powder.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Turkish Cypriot columnists see the army behind Erdogan changing his stance on Cyprus

Mr Levent points out that the Turkish army rules both Turkey and the occupied area of Cyprus and, therefore, no political party could do anything contrary to the army's will. Mr Erdogan could not risk, for the sake of Cyprus, everything he gained in Turkey, argues Mr Levent, who writes, inter alia, the following:

"You too know that it is still early for rejoicing. Is it possible to believe so easy that, after so many years of lies and deceptions, all these are about to end and that beautiful days are on the way? We began to hope once again, but within a day we returned to our previous situation. .

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on whom we have pinned our hopes, said that 'there is no change in Turkey's Cyprus policy'. What does 'there is no change' mean? It means Ecevit's views, Sukru Sina Gurel's views. Erdogan, who has suddenly raised the tension by referring to the 'Belgian model', made a turn within a day. .And while doing this he used the known expression always used by the politicians: 'My words have been commented upon wrongly', he said.

After Erdogan, JDP's deputy chairman spoke. Yasar Yakis completed the deficiencies of his chairman. 'We have only been inspired from the Belgian and Swiss model for a solution in Cyprus, they could not be implemented as they are', he said. And what else did he say? 'There are two states in Cyprus at this moment. They will come together and create a new confederal structure'.

What are the differences of this from what Denktas, Ecevit and Gurel say? Is it the fact that the word confederation, which we have not been hearing for a long time, now is being said in such an easy way? And this is taking place on the eve of Copenhagen.

No one promises change to us. The situation will continue as it is as long as our political parties do not stand against the administration in Turkey. .

I am very curious now to see what our opposition, which raises high hopes from Erdogan's win, will do after his last statements. .

Why has Erdogan made a turn within a day? If you find the answer to this question you too will be getting closer to the truth. We have written it many times in this column. The army is the one who rules Turkey. The civilians, even if they become the government alone, have no influence in places where the army has the authority.

You saw that legendary Erdogan was not able to hold out even for a day. He made a step backwards and showed to us the face of Sukru Sina. Will the man endanger what he gained in Turkey for the sake of Cyprus? The army told him to take back his word and he did so. In a fling neither Cyprus nor Belgium remained. Ecevit has gone. His spirit remained in Erdogan".

Meanwhile, commenting on the same issue, Kazim Denizci of AFRIKA (07.11.02) notes that everyone wonders what Mr Erdogan's stance will be and writes, inter alia, the following:

".I think that he will proceed from the point he found things. The foreign policy is completely in the hands of the deep state. Whatever the army says will be done. No one can get out from the drawn line. Mr Tayyip cannot even travel where he wants within Turkey. He, of course sees the realities. Could he dare to collide with the army? I think he could not. This time the tanks will pass from Ankara and not from Sincan. .".

/SK

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