Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-02-17

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas on the new president-elect.

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot Press covers the Presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus.

[03] The Turkish Cypriot political party leaders have commented on the result of the Presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus.

[04] Turkish Cypriots continue to mobilize in favour of solution and EU accession.

[05] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides under UN auspices.

[06] The Turkish Cypriot leader cancelled today's meeting within the framework of the talks. He will assess the results of the elections in the free areas.

[07] Statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister after meeting President Bush.

[08] The new leader of the Motherland Party details his position on the Cyprus problem and expresses support for Denktas.

[09] CUMHURIYET publishes the package prepared by the illegal Turkish Embassy for Turkey's puppet regime in occupied Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas on the new president-elect

"In his statement last night Papadopoulos stressed that the Annan plan should be greatly changed. Specially he said that the Karpass peninsula is Greek, more rightly, it is Hellenic and the Helens should return to their places. He wanted all the refugees to return to their places and the issue of the missing persons should be settled down, and likewise things the realization of which is impossible.

Naturally ,our people is aware of the fact that Clerides never made any concession to us and he rejected our demands to introduce changes to the Annan plan which we considered vital, as well as certain parts of it that we wanted some rearrangement. However, propaganda based on lies and falsifications swept him from the power.

Now esteemed Papadopoulos has declared that he would resume his duties as the President of all Cyprus. For this reason I am unable to congratulate him, because it is not possible for me as the President of the north Cyprus to congratulate someone who claims to be the President of all Cyprus. Naturally, I am congratulating him as the leader of the Greek Cypriot side. God willing he follows a realistic policy. I hope that he at last realizes that the Cyprus problem is an issue that should be settled on the idea that there are two equal and sovereign peoples in Cyprus. I hope that he stresses on the fact that the bizonality of a solution should not be watered down, because a lot of people in the Greek Cypriot side as well point out to the difficulty of living together. Coming together of the two sides is a slow process that should be carried out in accordance with the laws of the two separate states and it should be done according to a quota fixed. The settlement of the Greek Cypriots in the Turkish controlled part of the island, as envisaged by the Anan plan, is unacceptable as well as it is a violation of the right given to the Turkish Cypriots by the 1960 Agreements, that is, the right to elect freely without watering down with the Greek Cypriots. This is an approach that will eventually turn Cyprus into a Greek island, which we cannot accept.

So, Mr Papadopoulos should weigh the realities very well. Like Clerides, who divided the island, Mr Papadopoulos had contributed may be more than Clerides for the division of the island. We know what he is up to; he has to give up the lie that the Turkish troops divided the island, as well as the lie that the Turkish troops are occupiers. The Turkish troops brought peace to the island. The division of the island did not take place in 1974 but in 1963.

Part of the speech omitted

When asked about the UN Secretary-General's special advisor Alvaro de Soto' s today's visit to Ankara, Denktas said that he wants Ankara to take into consideration what kind of ideas and views Mr Papadopoulos maintains regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem. "In order for the talks not to enter into another impasse everybody should see the realities", Denktas claimed.

Denktas repeated his known view that there are two nations, Turkish and Greek peoples, who are components of their motherlands. (Passage omitted).

Denktas also criticized President Clerides for not accepting his face to face meeting proposal, but instead he suggested talks under the auspices of UN. "He did this in order to keep the title of President of the Republic of Cyprus", Denktas alleged. He was also critical of de Soto whom he branded as an arbiter or a judge and not an observer who said he would take notes at the meetings. "He is doing all he could do in order to impose on us an agreement. This is the reason why the issue entered into an impasse and continues to be in the impasse. We have lost this chance. Why have we lost this chance? Because the face to face meetings did not take place where we could examine whether there are chances to solve the problem .If it was positive we could engage in 'give and take' process behind the closed doors with Clerides and settle the problem. However, by imposing solutions or by maps prepared by others where the views of the Turkish Cypriots were not taken, this issue cannot be settled." Denktas said.

(Passage omitted)

"Unless Mr Papadopoulos gives up his dreams that all refugees should return to their homes or Karpass peninsula should be returned to the Greeks, then continuing of the talks has no meaning," Denktas declared. He said that for the sake of negotiation Clerides continued the talks despite the fact that he had rejected the Annan plan. "They (the UN) should not give Papadopoulos the chance to engage in the same thing", Denktas claimed. He said that he was aware of the fact that Clerides was never going to solve the Cyprus problem with him.

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot Press covers the Presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus

Under the banner front-page title "Papadopoulos era in the south", KIBRIS writes that President Clerides was defeated in the elections after 10 years of being at the post of the President of the Republic of Cyprus. The paper describes as "a surprise" the fact that new President Papadopoulos won the elections from the first round.

YENI DUZEN publishes the results of the elections under the title "One of those who have agreed not to reach an agreement is gone". The paper refers to the newly elected President Papadopoulos' statements that he wanted a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan plan and that he would exert all possible efforts in the direction of a united Cyprus joining the EU.

Under the banner front-page title "The spirit of EOKA won in the South!.", HALKIN SESI writes that "The Chairman of the Democratic Party and EOKA member, Tassos Papadopoulos has won the elections in the first round because he received the support of the 51.41 % of the voters".

Under the banner front-page title "Papadopoulos era", VATAN claims that "Tassos Papadopoulos who conducted his election campaign using the slogans 'Cyprus is and will remain a Greek island', won the elections from the first round receiving the 51.51 % of the votes".

ORTAM refers to the elections under the banner front-page title "New era in Southern Cyprus" and notes that Mr Papadopoulos won the elections having the support of left wing AKEL party, Democratic Party and Social Democrats' Movement.

In its front -page banner title, KIBRISLI wonders, "What will happen now?" and adds: "How many are the chances of achieving peace and solution when one supporter of EOKA goes and another comes and in our side we have supporters of annexation?"

In its banner front-page title AFRIKA writes that "Clerides has lost" and expresses the opinion that the results of the elections "will influence to a great extend the Annan plan and the procedure towards a solution".

[03] The Turkish Cypriot political party leaders have commented on the result of the Presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus

Dervis Eroglu, leader of the National Unity Party (NUP), claimed that Mr Papadopoulos' victory in the elections "made the possibility of reaching an agreement (on the Cyprus problem) more remote". Noting that the result of the elections was not a surprise for him, Mr Eroglu congratulated Mr Papadopoulos and expressed the opinion that the issue of new date for the holding of the referendum, which according to the Annan plan should be conducted on 30 March in case the leaders of the communities agreed, is now coming onto the agenda.

Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party, congratulated Mr Papadopoulos and expressed the opinion that there could be a delay in the negotiations procedure towards reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem, because a new leader will participate in it. Mr Denktas said that the results of the Presidential elections, is an issue which concerns more the Greek Cypriots and added: "I do not think that many things will change in the Annan plan".

Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP), noted that the Greek Cypriots have changed a leader who seemed to be unchangeable and expressed his sorrow for the fact that the Turkish Cypriots could not do the same for the leader they have for 40 years. "Papadopoulos won having the support of AKEL, a party which wants the solution of the Cyprus problem and for years exerts efforts towards this direction", pointed out Mr Talat underlining that it is natural that the new President exerts efforts towards the direction of a solution on the basis of the Annan plan because he is supported by left wing AKEL.

Huseyin Angolemli, leader of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP), expressed the opinion that the new situation will not influence the negotiations procedure towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. "The important thing is our behaviour and not who is the negotiator representing the Greek Cypriot side", said Mr Angolemli and added: "If we want we can turn the situation in our favour. However, we do not see such a wish. If Clerides stayed would it be better? For me there is no difference.".

Ertugrul Hasipoglu, leader of the Renewal Progressive Party (RPP), expressed his sorrow for Mr Papadopoulos' victory, claiming that this development caused harm to the Cyprus talks, as "everything could start from the beginning".

[04] Turkish Cypriots continue to mobilize in favour of solution and EU accession

KIBRIS (17.02.03) reports that in the events that took place in the Morfou district participated, among others, Mehmet Ali Talat, the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party, Huseyin Angolemli, the chairman of the Communal Liberation Party (CLP), Izzet Izcan, the chairman of the United Cyprus Party, Kutlay Erk, the so-called mayor of the occupied Nicosia, Ali Erel, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and various leaders of Trade Union Organizations that participate in the platform "This country is Ours".

Speaking at the gathering, Mr Talat referred to the elections in the free areas and said that despite the fact that Glafcos Clerides was the leader for 40 years "he was sent to history". He stressed that Turkish Cypriots have not done this yet for Mr Denktas, but must certainly do it in order to stop him from preventing the peace in the island. Mr Angolemli said that the two persons, who did not want solution for 40 years in Cyprus, could not solve the problem. He also said that Denktas and Eroglu will leave and stressed that it is the people who will decide for Cyprus. On his part Mr Izcan said that Mr Denktas' intentions is not to sign an agreement for the solution of Cyprus, while Mr Erel criticized Dervis Eroglu for the new economic package sent from Turkey to the occupied areas.

Moreover, ORTAM (16.02.02) reports that in the fire lighting ceremony which was lit in the village of Galateia, participated Huseyin Angolemli, Ferdi Soyer, the General Secretary of Republican Turkish Party (RTP), and members of the platform "This country is Ours". In speeches they delivered in the events, the two men stated that the status quo in Cyprus must not continue and stressed that a solution must be found the sooner possible.

In the fire which was lit in the village of Sinta participated Mr Angolemli, Mr Soyer and so-called members of the parliament. Speaking at the events the Turkish Cypriot politicians repeated their determination for solution of the Cyprus problem and EU accession for the Turkish Cypriot community.

Moreover, as the paper reports, large gatherings continue to take place in villages where the fires were lit in the previous days. During the weekend a big gathering took place in the village of Elia, which was the first village were a fire was lit. The gatherings and the lighting of fires will continue in the next days.

[05] Statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader before and after meeting President Clerides under UN auspices

We will resume our talks from the point where we left them. We will be pleased if the Greek Cypriot side briefs us on its indispensable points.

Question: Regarding the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's a visit to Cyprus.

Answer: I talked with Alvaro de Soto. He informed me on Kofi Annan's visit. He will arrive on 26 February and depart on 1 March.

Question: Can you comment on the reports that a third plan will be put on the table.

Answer: Alvaro de Soto has not mentioned anything on that.

Question: Would Alvaro de Soto submit a plan today?

Answer: No, he would not do that. If there is a plan, then it will probably be submitted to the sides by Kofi Annan.

Question: Reports said that the sides will ask for some more time.

Answer: We cannot finalize anything by 28 February. There are empty pages. They mean laws and constitutions. There is a lot of work to be done. Finalizing everything by 28 February is impossible. The date is not realistic. But, they decided to force us to comply with the EU program. That was a kind of moral pressure on us. But the impossible cannot be achieved. Will Clerides be elected on Sunday? Will a second round of elections take place? Will he be elected at the end of the second round? Someone else might be elected. How long will he need to prepare for the talks? All that has to be considered.

Question: Reports say that the two leaders will hold referendums for the sake of clearing themselves of responsibility.

Answer: How can the two leaders be cleared of responsibility. Is that easy?

Question: Turkey and Greece will hold talks on security.

Answer: They will not talk on security. Do not wrongly interpret that. An invitation has been made for talks on the number of troops to be based on the island and the type of arms they will have. The question of security and guarantees is a very wide-ranging issue. I do not think they will discuss that.

Question: It has been reported that 1,500 [Turkish] troops will be based [in north Cyprus]. Can we agree to that?

Answer: You must ask the military forces. Of course, the figure is unacceptable.

Question: Can you please comment on the point that has been reached at the present time.

Answer: All the proposals we have made for changes have been rejected. In other words, the Greek Cypriot side said, "We will not agree to changes since you refuse to sign the unchanged plan. We will accuse you in the entire world." That is their approach. I hope that at least some of the EU countries, the UN Secretary- General, and Alvaro de Soto will inform the Greek Cypriots as follows: Since you have not agreed to changes, the failure of the Turkish Cypriot side to sign the plan will not be a crime.

Question: What will happen if you cannot achieve your objective?

Answer: We have disclosed that we cannot sign the plan in its present form. However, we will maintain the talks, if they are to be maintained. We will continue to ask for changes. There is no other way. We will not have sovereignty. The number of Greek Cypriots who will settle among us will weaken our rights in the Senate. We cannot agree to the proposals on territory. Some 50,000 or 60,000 Turkish Cypriots will be moved from their places. Another 60,000 will be moved later. That means that half of the community will be moved. That cannot be tolerated. Rehabilitation programs do not exist. However, we have been asked to quickly sign the plan. There are those who claim that the process cannot be described as immigration. My house in Kyrenia was flooded last night. I had to move to Nicosia. The tension continues to exist. Immigration is not easy. We have to consider the problems of our people.

Denktas and Clerides met for nearly one hour. Replying to reporters' questions after the meeting, Denktas said:

We will resume our talks from 0930 to 1100 local time on Monday. We mostly heard what Mr Alvaro de Soto had to say on his contacts in New York. The Greek Cypriot side preferred to remain silent. It only said that everything they listed on a document they submitted a long time ago was still valid and that they had nothing new to add. So, we will resume our talks on Monday.

Question: Reports in the newspapers said that Secretary of State Colin Powell plans to visit the island to contribute towards the solution of the problem. Answer: We do not have any official information on Colin Powell's plan.

Question: Has Alvaro de Soto said anything about a new plan?

Answer: No, he has not. In fact, he said that he is unaware of a new plan. But, everything the diplomats say cannot be taken for granted.

Question: The Greek Cypriot side seems to be very silent.

Answer: Well, the Greek Cypriots are exhausted from their election campaign.

Question: Have you discussed the elections with Clerides?

Answer: No. I wished success to Clerides and Markides.

[06] The Turkish Cypriot leader cancelled today's meeting within the framework of the talks. He will assess the results of the elections in the free areas

According to information given to the Anatolia correspondent by Denktas' adviser Ergun Olgun, the meeting between Denktas and Clerides scheduled for the morning of 17 February 2003 at the buffer zone in Nicosia has been canceled. Mr Denktas will reportedly give an evaluation of the elections that took place in the free areas of Cyprus.

The chairman of the Democratic Party [DIKO] Tasos Papadopoulos won the presidential elections held today in southern Cyprus. Glafcos Clerides, who occupied the position of Greek Cypriot leader since 1993, lost the election.

Meanwhile, the final vote count in the Greek Cypriot elections has been made. According to the results, Papadopoulos secured 51.51 percent of the vote, Clerides 38.8 percent, Alecos Markides 6.62 percent, and Nikos Kutsou 2.12 percent, reports Ankara Anatolia.

[07] Statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister after meeting President Bush

Following are Mr Yakis' short statements and his replies to questions: We exchanged views. It was a very fruitful discussion. I am very happy with the success of this meeting. Actually we were not negotiating an agreement, we were just exchanging views. The United States is our strategic ally. It is natural for strategic allies to always have issues on which they need to exchange views. That is what we did today. It was a very beneficial meeting.

Question: What issues did you discuss?

Answer: Mainly the Iraq question, but the Cyprus issue as well.

Question: Mr Minister, what did you discuss about the Cyprus issue?

Answer: Yes we discussed the Cyprus issue very briefly. Of course, a satisfactory solution acceptable to both sides in Cyprus is very important for us. Our government is determined to break the deadlock, if possible, and we are cooperating with the United States regarding this issue.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia (14.02.03) reported from Washington that in reply to a question on the Cyprus issue, Yakis said that another change might be made to the plan of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and that a third plan might be put forth.

Yakis concluded by saying that views were exchanged with the US authorities on this issue as well.

[08] The new leader of the Motherland Party details his position on the Cyprus problem and expresses support for Denktas

"I have arrived together with the Chairman of the Turkish Union of Municipalities, MP deputy leader, Mr Vehbi Dincerler, who maintains a very sensitive approach on the Cyprus problem, former deputies, including Engin Guler, members of the MP Central Decision-Making Council, and 100 influential MP mayors to congratulate and support Mr Rauf Denktas on the occasion of the religious holidays. We convey our greetings to all our Turkish Cypriot kinsmen. We are in Cyprus with 100 mayors to strengthen your morale and position.

`President' Denktas and the Annan plan have been on the agenda for some time now. We want to react to the criticisms leveled against Mr Denktas in connection with the plan. We want the plan to be discussed in Turkey. We want the essential principles to be underlined. Taking this opportunity, we want to wish `President' Denktas quick recovery. We welcome the fact that he is feeling better.

We definitely want a solution to be found to the Cyprus problem. Considering the MP vision and mission, we want a solution to be found on the island. However, Turkey and our Turkish Cypriot kinsmen cannot agree to give up a number of main principles. The right to sovereignty is among them. We will definitely support a restructuring based on equal participation and equality in the legislative and executive organs. We propose that anything beyond that in the Annan plan should be discussed again. Remaining committed to the 1959 and 1960 London and Zurich Agreements, [Turkey's] guarantee must definitely be maintained. The number of the Turkish military forces in Cyprus, which are on the island for specific reasons, particularly to enhance democracy and maintain the healthy existence of the two sides, should be outlined within the context of the existing conditions, not as stated in the Annan plan.

Another important point is related to territorial integrity. It is common knowledge that the territory held by the `TRNC' totals about 36.5 percent of the island. According to the new plan, 11 percent of the land will be returned to the Greek Cypriot side. In other words, the Turkish Cypriot side will hold 28.5 percent of the island.

I see that the former mayor of the Turkish Cypriot sector of Nicosia is among those who came here to welcome us. As the head of the Union of Municipalities in the Marmara Sea and Straits, we cooperated with him to find a solution to the water problem in north Cyprus in the past. The water in the Turkish Cypriot side is not enough. Some of the water resources are in the Morphou area. That is the area from which the citrus products come from. The Annan plan calls for the joint use of the two-thirds of that area. Furthermore, reports say that 57,000 Greek Cypriots will move to north Cyprus. The number will eventually increase to 70,000. According to our calculations, a serious problem of assimilation will be in question in the bicommunal administration [in north Cyprus]. We want the matter to be discussed.

Some 120,000 houses have to be constructed. The EU has disclosed that sources will be transferred for that purpose. We do not know how credible the reports are. However, that, too, is a problem that has to be solved.

The representation of the Greek Cypriots who will settle in the north and the Maronites who already live in the `TRNC' is another problem.

Considering all that, we want to say that the points outlined in the Annan plan for a solution should be appropriately discussed. In fact, Mr Denktas has already called for that. But, various circles and politicians have misinterpreted his views and commented on them accordingly. We want to say that we disagree with them.

We arrived here today to visit north Cyprus. I want to clearly underline that we have come to support `President' Denktas on the occasion of the religious festival."

[09] CUMHURIYET publishes the package prepared by the illegal Turkish Embassy for Turkey's puppet regime in occupied Cyprus

"The Emergency Action Plan that Turkey has prepared aimed at overcoming the economic difficulties of the Turkish Cypriots has started coming to light in a rough form. Prepared by the Turkish Embassy in North Cyprus, the package has been proposed to the economic and social delegations that have been set up with the participation of the representatives of the NGOs and the private sector. The details and the material dimension of the package will be determined with the involvement of experts from Turkey. The package provides for full liberalization of trade and customs union with Turkey, reduction of military service, and providing support in the fields of transportation, tourism and agriculture.

An official told newspaper CUMHURIYET that it is not yet known which authority in Turkey has been assigned responsibility for the economic measures regarding the `TRNC'. He said Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener was offered the duty lately, but he had turned it down. The official said: "The package is made up of measures that could be implemented and measures that were to be implemented in the past, but could not be implemented. The material dimension of the package is not all that big, but its implementation would project a very important message that Turkey acts in full support of the `TRNC'."

The six to seven-page draft package that Turkey has proposed contains the following measures:

- Making the `TRNC' a free trade zone in transit trade and product exports. This is a matter that has gained no clarity, as to how it will be set up, despite discussion on it in the past.

- Transferring one of the gates of the Turkish Customs in Mersin to North Cyprus. This will save undue expenses on the export products sent from North Cyprus that are sometimes turned back. In this way, the export expenses of the goods to be exported from the `TRNC' will drop for the reason that they will be re-exported without entering Turkey. Likewise, there is an idea to transfer a gate of the `TRNC' Customs to Mersin. A customs union will be roughly established between the `TRNC' and Turkey as a result of these measures.

- The food control and technology laboratories in the `TRNC' will be improved.

- Turkey will meet the social insurance expenses of the manpower coming from Turkey.

- Laws such as those related to consumer protection and competition will be adopted in the `TRNC' too.

- Joining the public service will be subject to a test, as in Turkey.

- Construction of four to five-star hotels will be encouraged. Turkey will provide financial support for the building of such hotels. Low-cost loans will be given. The debts of the hotels to the Turkish Development Bank will be reprogrammed.

- Turkey will meet the compulsory touchdown expenses in Turkey of the planes to and from the `TRNC'.

- The flights between Turkey and the `TRNC' will be considered as internal, not external flights. The external flight fees collected at the airports and the fees collected per passenger will be lifted.

- Turkey will support the flights that the CTA [Cyprus Turkish Airlines], the Airlines of the `TRNC', carries out to Germany and Switzerland, and will also meet the cost of the reduction in fares.

- Smaller planes will be purchased for the CTA for more frequent flights to Turkey. The TA [Turkish Airlines] will build a hangar at the Lefkonico Airport.

- The fees collected from the passengers at the ports will be removed.

- Investments related to physiotherapy, indoor swimming pools and saunas at the hotels for the elderly tourists coming to the `TRNC' will be supported.

- Industry related to agricultural production will be encouraged.

- Participation in international fairs will be supported.

- Investments for the benefit of drip irrigation that will result in saving of water in citrus, olive, and carob production will be encouraged.

- Support will be provided for the speeding up of the construction of the tuna fish installations, with canning facilities, that the [Turkish firm] Canakkale Dardanel is building. Building of fishermen's shelters will be supported.

- The construction of the engineering faculty that the Middle East Technical University is setting up in the `TRNC' will be speeded up.

- In an effort to improve the quality of education in the private universities, the means at the disposal of the faculty members will be upgraded, and new faculty members will be appointed.

- A new medical faculty will be set up.

- A general health insurance will be developed.

- The corporate income tax will be reduced by five percent. Collection of the receivables of the banks handed over to the fund [Banking Regulation and Supervision Board] after consolidation will be facilitated.

- Villages will be provided with drinking water.

- Tenders will be issued for the building of the North Coastal Road at Karpass. - A teachers' exchange program with Turkey will be realized. - Matches will be held despite the sports embargo and at the expense of being penalized. As a result, the case will be referred to court with a view to removing the unjust situation.

- A speeding-up commission will be set up in connection with the loans to be given by the Turkish Development Bank.

- Free technology areas will be set up. Handicraft enterprises will be established.

- The current two-year compulsory military service will be reduced to a system whereby one pays for his military service, as in Turkey."

/SK

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