Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-01-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas calls on the Turkish Cypriots not to forget that their presence in Cyprus started with the Ottoman occupation. He forgets that the Greek Cypriots have been living here since before Christ.

[02] The President of Turkey says the Annan Solution Plan is negotiable.

[03] Sezer approves constitutional changes clearing way for Erdogan.

[04] Erdogan gives signs that he favours changing the policy that Turkey implements in Cyprus for decades.

[05] Denktas replies to the JDP leader Erdogan's statement.

[06] Turkey's Council of Ministers will discuss the Cyprus problem.

[07] Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul: "We too have Kirkuk-Mosul scenarios".

[08] An opinion poll showed that the Turkish Cypriots are ready to move to another place if it helps for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rauf Denktas calls on the Turkish Cypriots not to forget that their presence in Cyprus started with the Ottoman occupation. He forgets that the Greek Cypriots have been living here since before Christ

Denktas issued a new year's message to illegal Bayrak Radio and Television as well as to illegal TAK news agency.

In his message, Denktas pointed out that he held talks with President Clerides for seven to eight months in 2002, and that the Turkish Cypriots brought all their demands to the UN Secretary-General and to Clerides with the cooperation of the parliament and government of his puppet regime, the Turkish Foreign Ministry, and the Turkish state. He went on: "The road to an agreement would have been wide open if we were given time, and if the Greek Cypriots were told that they are not the legitimate government of the Turkish Cypriots, that the Turkish Cypriots are their old partners, that the Turkish Cypriots have as many rights and that they are as equal and sovereign as the Greek Cypriots themselves, and that a new partnership must be established. Do not heed people who say that unless the Cyprus problem is solved by a certain date there will be a disaster. If we protect our rights, and if, united, we show that we intend to protect our state, sovereignty, and status, then you will see that Cyprus will one day be united within the EU. That is what will happen."

Denktas pointed out that when Turkey joins the EU, the Turkish Cypriots' security will be ensured once again, as in 1960. I may be showing you a long path, he said, but the short path depends on our determination, and on your unanimous protection of your state, rights, equality, and sovereignty. Only in this way can the world understand the Cyprus problem.

Denktas charged that the EU wants the whole of Cyprus, and consequently will contact the Turkish Cypriots sooner or later, and talk to them and agree with them under equal conditions.

He alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are people who have protected their rights over the island for the past 400 years, as well as their state and land. This is honorable, he said, but it is also difficult. The fact that it is difficult should not be a reason for us to forget our debt and duties to the future generations. We are on the right course.

Denktas asserted that the Turkish Cypriots are on the same course with their motherland, want the same things, and protect the same parameters. Do not worry, he said, the Cyprus problem will be resolved sooner or later, when the Greek Cypriots, the EU, and the entire world will realize that the Turkish Cypriots are determined, are protecting their freedom, and are doing nothing more than defending -- in unity and solidarity -- the parameters accepted by the free world.

People who do not know their history, Denktas said, are easily mistaken, but when this mistake concerns the existence of a state or the will of a people, the consequences are very grave.

On the rally held a few days ago, Denktas warned that many things the Turkish Cypriots own will be given away if this path of so-called peace is taken. That is what the documents indicate, he said, adding: "We are trying to rectify these aspects of the document but in order to rectify them, we must negotiate. Nobody is permitting us to negotiate this document with the Greek Cypriots. They insist that we sign it."

Denktas emphasized that he is going to negotiate, protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, and work for a sound and bi-zonal agreement based on two separate and sovereign peoples, an agreement that will not turn the Turkish Cypriots into refugees once again, that will not allow 60,000 to 70,000 Greek Cypriots to come and settle in their homes and properties, but that will enable the two peoples to unite and join the EU together.

[02] The President of Turkey says the Annan Solution Plan is negotiable

Referring to the Cyprus problem Sezer noted that they had always said that the problem could be solved on the basis of the realities in the island and that solution formulas which were tried to be imposed from outside had no chance of success.

``We are trying to help efforts to solve the Cyprus problem with a constructive approach. In this context, we think that United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan is negotiable and support continuation of solution efforts in line with the schedule foreseen in the plan. We hope that the year 2003 will be a year in which the Cyprus issue will be solved permanently and rightfully and the security and prosperity of Turkish Cypriots will be taken under guarantee on the basis of a new partnership based on sovereign equality. Turkey will continue to support `TRNC´ and the Turkish Cypriots also from now on. We want our Turkish Cypriot friends to get rid of unjust embargoes they have endured for years and integrate with the international community and Europe. We believe that the EU will also undertake responsibilities and duties in this issue, `` Sezer added.

[03] Sezer approves constitutional changes clearing way for Erdogan

President Sezer ratified the amendment, passed by the parliament last week, that would no longer prevent Erdogan and others convicted of religious sedition, from standing for election. The JDP chairman was unable to contest the November 3 general election as he was still serving a court imposed ban from politics.

However, with elections in the south eastern province of Siirt to be re-run on February 9, after it was found there had been irregularities in the earlier ballot, Erdogan has the opportunity to enter the parliament and take over as Prime Minister from incumbent Abdullah Gul.

Though the President gave his approval to the constitutional amendment, having previously vetoed it and returned it to the parliament for a second vote, he may still apply to the Constitutional Court to have the law declared contrary to the constitution and overturned.

[04] Erdogan gives signs that he favours changing the policy Turkey implements in Cyprus for decades

In a statement to "Rize TV", Erdogan noted that politics is the art of generating solutions and not problems.

"I am not in favour of continuing the policy that has been implemented in Cyprus for the last 30-40 years", said Erdogan adding: "This issue is not Mr. Denktas' personal issue. It is the struggle of the people for their existence. Mr. Denktas is saying that the plan is negotiable but that he does not trust the other side. Here we will leave the issue of trust aside. Since we believe that this plan is negotiable, then we will negotiate".

Noting that the situation will get more difficult if a decision toward a solution is not made in Cyprus by 28 February, Erdogan concluded: "If some 30,000 people are staging a demonstration in north Cyprus, then this means that north Cyprus is advancing toward some goal. We should well assess the issue. One cannot cast aside the views of the people on the issue".

[05] Denktas replies to the JDP leader Erdogan's statement

Noting that the solution of the Cyprus problem should be based on the people's wish Denktas said, that it is a mistake and unfair to tie up Kofi Annan's mission of good offices to that of the EU timetable. Denktas further claimed that if the Turkish troops withdrew from Cyprus, the Greek Cypriots could repeat what they did in the past .He stressed that they want a peace that would not be destroyed.

[06] Turkey's Council of Ministers will discuss the Cyprus problem

According to NTV, the Council will discuss "the steps that must be made in Cyprus until 28 February".

[07] Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul: "We too have Kirkuk-Mosul scenarios"

When asked whether from the above answer one could conclude that Turkey as well harbours such dreams, Gul answered: "Like every other country we too have a red line which we could not go beyond. On this subject we too have our scenario. What we want is to maintain the unitary status of northern Iraq. Within this framework we want all the elements of the Iraqi population, Kurds, Arabs and Turkomans jointly to benefit from these resources. But, if this does not happen, and new developments come up regarding the future of this petrol there, naturally we could not remain mere spectators. On this issue we too have our scenarios."

[08] An opinion poll showed that the Turkish Cypriots are ready to move to another place if it helps for the solution of the Cyprus problem

1. To which degree do you approve Cyprus´ accession to the EU?

                                      %
I approve completely                60,1
I approve                           25,9
Neither approve or being against     6,9
I do not approve                     2,8
I do not approve at all              1,2
I do not know                        2,9
Total                               99,8
No answer                            0,2
Total                              100

2. Under what conditions do you support Cyprus´ accession to the EU?

                                    %
With the solution                 72,9
With Turkey after the solution    25
Not to join                        1,8
Total                             99,7
No answer                          0,3
Total                            100

3. What do you think in case the area you live will be under Greek Cypriot administration after a possible agreement?

                                                          %
I do not want it to be given                            34
I am not against if it will help Cyprus settlement      59,9
I have not decided yet                                   5,9
Total                                                   99,8
No answer                                                0,2
Total                                                  100

4. In case the UN plan was accepted by both sides and your area was under the Greek Cypriot administration, what would you do?

                                                                    %
I could be transferred to  a new house with the same conditions    6,7
I could be transferred to a new town as a whole with my social
  environment (e.g. neighbours), a new house and the same job     65,6
To be compensated and leave the island                             2,9
To be compensated and transferred to another place                16,1
I will continue to live in my house even under the Greek Cypriot
  administration                                                   3,7
I want to return to my house before being displaced                3,1
I do not accept                                                    0,6
Total                                                             98,7
No answer                                                          1,3
Total                                                            100

5. If you are forced to change a place, by whom would you like this arrangement to be realised?

                                                              %
Only by the Turkish Cypriots                                30,8
With the joint effort of Turkish and Greek Cypriots          3,9
With the joint effort of the EU, Turkish and Greek Cypriots 43,4
With the joint effort of the UN, Turkish and Greek Cypriots  7,3
Only by the UN                                               2,9
Only by the EU                                               9,8
I do not accept                                              0,4
Total                                                       98,5
No answer                                                    1,5
Total                                                      100

6. In case the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders reach an agreement on the UN plan and a referendum is submitted to both sides, what would you do?

                                   %
I will confirm the agreement     91,6
I won't confirm the agreement     7,5
Total                            99,1
No answer                         0,9
Total                           100

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