Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-04-06

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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 changes mind at Istanbul Airport, flies to Ankara, not Cyprus.

[02] The National Security Council of Turkey met to assess the fifth Annan plan.

[03] Rauf Denktas comments on the statement of the National Security Council. He says he is afraid of events which might occur after a settlement.

[04] The Turkish Prime Minister comments on the statement of the National Security Council.

[05] Turkey's Council of Ministers prepared a seven-page document regarding the benefits from the Annan Plan for the Turkish side.

[06] Statements by the Turkish Government Spokesman after the Turkish Council Ministers meeting for the Cyprus problem. He says Cyprus referendum results need not to be submitted to Turkish National Assembly.

[07] The so-called attorney general of the occupation regime supports that conducting a referendum would be contrary to the "constitution".

[08] Talat comments on yesterday´s meeting of the pseudoassembly which assessed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. He says Rauf Denktas´ influence regarding the referendum is important.

[09] SABAH: "In case the Greek Cypriots say 'no' the road map is ready".

[10] Mainland settler: "I will take the life of the one who will take my home"

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas changes mind at Istanbul Airport, flies to Ankara, not Cyprus

Denktas arrived at the Ataturk Airport State Guesthouse with his wife Aydin Denktas. He was expected to fly to occupied Nicosia by a Turkish Cypriot Airlines plane, but he changed his mind at the last minute, and decided to fly to Ankara with a Turkish Airlines plane at 10:30 in the morning.

[02] The National Security Council of Turkey met to assess the fifth Annan plan.

"The NSC convened on 5 April 2004. At the meeting, the NSC assessed in detail the text that emerged as a result of the negotiations on the Cyprus issue that were concluded last week in the light of the points noted in the NSC communique issued on 23 January 2004.

Once the Annan plan, which assumed its final shape in Switzerland, is studied in its entirety, although it can be observed that, despite its positive aspects, some of our requests have not been met and that there is the possibility of encountering problems in its implementation, it is essential that the Turkish and the `TRNC governments´ carefully study this plan from the viewpoint of the sensitivity the issue has for Turkey and the `TRNC´ as well as from the viewpoint of the national interests of the two countries.

Within this framework, the need to closely and insistently follow up the importance of transforming the solution into the EU Primary Law and the de facto implementation of the guarantees given to Turkey and the `TRNC´ within the negotiation process was stressed.

Initiating the necessary process to make the final version of the Annan plan official is the responsibility and decision of the Turkish Government. In the event the process is launched, Turkey should be careful about Turkish presence on the island, Turkey's guarantor rights, and the principle of bizonality."

[03] Rauf Denktas comments on the statement of the National Security Council. He says he is afraid of events which might occur after a settlement

Denktas said the following:

"I believe that the NSC members are saying in a diplomatic language that the Annan Plan has not given us what we have asked for. What seems to be given to us in various sections will be considered as not given if they are not guaranteed through the inclusion of the derogations we asked for among the EU primary laws. I believe that they have made a realistic assessment. The main question is to convey a clear message to our people in the light of Turkey's fears and anxieties. I am clearly informing our people. I believe that something has to be done to guarantee the situation. I also believe that they made a decision to that effect. They will maintain their contacts. We will wait and see whether or not they can achieve a result."

Upon a journalist´s comment that the NSC statement said that Turkey's guarantee and bizonality must not be weakened, Denktas said:

"It said that because they have been weakened. The Annan Plan has weakened them. The 1960 Agreements provided for a permanent guarantee. The latest situation is that according to the plan, the question of guarantees will be reconsidered once every three years for a decision to be made as to whether or not they should be maintained or removed. That means that a time limit will be imposed on Turkey's permanent right. It means that it will be removed in time. So, I believe that the guarantees have been weakened. Bizonality has been weakened as well because many Greek Cypriots will return to live among us. Regarding property, I want to reiterate that the plan contains everything required for the disruption of peace. All that can be described as a time bomb. In other words, the situation has to be very carefully considered. The NSC has made an appropriate assessment. So, will it now be said that we should hold a referendum to see the result it will yield or will a decision be made to have a break?."

Denktas also said that he will visit Ankara if the need arises.

In addition, as Ankara Anatolia news agency reports (05.04.04), Mr Denktas said that he is afraid of events which may occur after a settlement in Cyprus. Mr Denktas went to Bursa in order to participate in a conference.

''We have seen Kosovo and Palestine for years. They said that they solved problems there. Then, people are being killed there. They try to reach a result with a similar pressure,'' he stressed and added: ''I am afraid of events which might happen after they said they provided peace. They started war in Iraq due to wrong and exaggerated information. If justice and law are above all things, there is happiness in a country. Things which are tried to be achieved by force will be temporary. I have been defending the cause of the people. After we founded the state, they did not give us opportunity to sublime the state. They try to take our state from us. We started our struggle not to lose our state. We have not lost our state so far. I hope that we will not lose it,'' he stated.

[04] The Turkish Prime Minister comments on the statement of the National Security Council

Following the NSC meeting, Erdogan convened with the ministers who are members of the NSC at his official residence and assessed the situation.

Replying to reporters' questions, Erdogan asserted that the decision reached at the NSC is exactly as cited in the statement issued at the end of the meeting. A reporter pointed out that the military seems to have reservations about the Annan plan. Erdogan said: "What are we saying? Are we not demanding that bizonality be guaranteed? And did we not achieve that? We did. Therefore, there is no problem."

Asked to comment on the phrase in the NSC statement which refers to the possibility of encountering problems in implementation, Erdogan replied: "That is your interpretation. This is a process. The process goes on".

[05] Turkey's Council of Ministers prepared a seven-page document regarding the benefits from the Annan Plan for the Turkish side

Bi-zonality, the role of Turkey in the new state of affairs to be established in Cyprus, the guarantees, the equality of the Turkish Cypriots and the transitional periods are some of the elements included in the document.

According to the semi-official Anatolia news agency (05.04.04), the text entitled ''Positive elements of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Plan for the Turkish Side'', is the following:

BIZONALITY

1. The new partnership will be bi-zonal,

2. Distinct identity and integrity of the two sides will be recognized,

3. The sides will respect each other's cultural, religious, political, social and linguistic identities,

4. Efforts by any side to become dominant over the other will be renounced,

5. No side will be able to claim authority and jurisdiction over the other,

6. Constituent states will use their authorities in a sovereign manner in their own region, and freely organize themselves,

7. Constituent states will have their own constitutions,

8. Constituent states will have territorial boundaries,

9. Constituent states will have their own national anthems and flags,

10. Everyone will respect the identity, security and constitutional order of the constituent states,

11. The Constituent states and the federal government will not intervene in each others' authorities and functions,

12. The Turkish Cypriot State will be shown in the new map by name,

13. A new border will be demarcated between the two constituent states,

14. Hierarchy will not be required between laws of the federal state and the constituent states,

15. The Constituent states will be able to give up citizenship. A person cannot become citizen of both constituent states at the same time,

16. The Constituent states will be able to restrict residence of citizens of each other to preserve their own national identities.

After the agreement comes into force:

a. A moratorium will be put into practice for residence for a five-year period. Afterwards,

b. Constituent states will be able to restrict residence up to 6 percent of village or municipality population between the 6th and 9th years,

c. Constituent states will be able to restrict residence up to 12 percent of village or municipality population between the 10th and 14th years,

d. Constituent states will be able to restrict residence up to 18 percent of village or municipality population between the 14th and 19th years (or until Turkey's accession to the EU),

17. If those over 65 years of age and former residents of Karpass villages return earlier than 2 years, they will be included in the above-mentioned restriction rates,

18. Under measures to be taken by one of the constituent states to preserve its identity, its population can include 1/3 foreigners the most,

19. Those to be elected from the Turkish Cypriot State as members of the Senate, will be of Turkish Cypriot nationality,

20. Constituent states will be able to set up commercial and cultural relations with the rest of the world and to sign agreements,

21. Constituent states will have authority of primary judicial proceeding about crimes against federal laws,

22. Constituent states will have separate police organizations,

PARTNERSHIP AND EQUALITY

1. Cyprus is the common home of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots,

2. Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots are co-founders of the Republic established in 1960,

3. Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will form the new system by using their separate inherent constitutive powers,

4. The Turkish Cypriot State and Greek Cypriot State are the constituent states,

5. Relationship between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots is not one of majority and minority, but of political equality,

6. Equality of the constituent states will be explained in the Constitution clearly,

7. During the transition period, at the federal level, the office of Head of State will be vested in a Co-Presidency; the federal government will be composed of a Council of Ministers of six members (three Greek Cypriots, three Turkish Cypriots),

8. During the transition period, delegates from each constituent state parliament will sit in the transitional federal Parliament (24 Greek Cypriots, 24 Turkish Cypriots),

9. There will be general elections at constituent, federal and European Union level on June 13, 2004, after which the constituent state and federal governments will operate regularly, though the office of President and Vice-President at the federal level will rotate every 10 months during the first term of the Presidential Council.

10. The Constituent states can make cooperation agreement with each other,

11. The Constituent states will contribute to the development of foreign relations and EU policy of the federal state,

12. The Senate will be composed of an equal number of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots (24+24),

13. Decisions of the Senate will require one quarter of voting senators from each constituent state. For specified matters (approval of federal budget, election of members of the Presidential Council), a special majority of two-fifths of sitting Senators from each constituent state will be required,

14. The Chamber of Deputies will be composed in proportion to persons holding internal constituent state citizenship status of each constituent state, provided that each constituent state will be attributed no less than one quarter of seats,

15. The parliament can take decisions only with approval of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies by simple majority,

16. Presidents and vice-presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate cannot be elected from the same constituent state,

17. The Presidential Council will be elected on a single list by special majority in the Senate and approved by majority in the Chamber of Deputies for a five year term. It will comprise six voting members and additional non-voting members should Parliament so decide. The composition of the Presidential Council will be proportional to the number of persons holding the internal constituent state citizenship status of each constituent state, though no less than one-third of the voting members and one-third of any non-voting members of the Council must come from each constituent state,

18. The Presidential Council will strive to reach decisions by consensus. Where it fails to reach consensus, it will, unless otherwise specified, take decisions by simple majority of members present and voting, provided this comprises at least one member from each constituent state,

19. The heads of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and European Union Affairs will not come from the same constituent state,

20. Unless the Presidential Council decides otherwise, it will elect two of its members not hailing from the same constituent state to rotate every twenty months in the offices of President and Vice-President of the Council.

21. The heads of government of the constituent states will be invited to participate without a vote in all meetings of the Council in the first ten years after entry into force of the Agreement, and thereafter on a periodical basis.

22. The Supreme Court will uphold the Constitution and ensure its full respect. It will comprise an equal number of judges from each constituent state, and three non-Cypriot judges until otherwise provided by law.

23. The official languages of the United Cyprus Republic are Turkish and Greek,

24. Special dates of Turkish Cypriot people such as the first day of Ramadan; the first day of Feast of Sacrifice and the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed will be acknowledged official holidays of the United Cyprus Republic,

25. There will be a federal police composed of an equal number of personnel hailing from each constituent state,

26. The commission responsible for appointment of public officials will comprise an equal number of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot members,

27. At least one-third of all officials of the public administration should come from the Turkish Cypriot Constituent State,

28. The Governor and deputy governor of the Central Bank will not come from the same constituent state. Each constituent will have at least two members in the five-member Executive Board and at least three members in the seven-member Monetary Policies Committee,

29. The Attorney-General and the Auditor-General will not hail from the same constituent state,

30. Equal number of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will be charged in the committee to demarcate the new border between the two constituent states,

31. The Basic Articles of the Constitution are irrevocable. The other articles can be amended only in consultations with the two constituent states and with the parliamentary approval. The amendments will be put to vote in separate referendum in both sides,

32. No person can be exposed to discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin or religion.

SECURITY AND GUARANTEES

1. Union of Cyprus in whole or in part with any other country, any form of partition or secession, and any other unilateral change to the state of affairs established by the Foundation Agreement and this Constitution is prohibited,

2. The Guarantee and Alliance treaties of 1960 will be valid by being put into practice in the new order,

3. The Treaty of Guarantee, in applying mutatis mutandis to the new state of affairs established in this Agreement and the Constitution, will cover, in addition to the independence, territorial integrity, security and constitutional order of the United Cyprus Republic, the territorial integrity, security and constitutional order of the constituent states,

4. Turkish and Greek contingents will be permitted to be stationed under the Treaty of Alliance in the Turkish Cypriot State and the Greek Cypriot State respectively as follows:

i) each contingent not to exceed 6,000 all ranks, until 2011;

ii) each contingent not to exceed 3,000 all ranks thereafter until 2018 or the European Union accession of Turkey, whichever is sooner; and

iii) the Greek contingent not to exceed 950 all ranks and the Turkish contingent not to exceed 650 all ranks thereafter, subject to three-yearly review with the objective of total withdrawal;

5. There will be a United Nations peacekeeping operation to monitor the implementation of this Agreement and use its best efforts to promote compliance with it and contribute to the maintenance of a secure environment, to remain as long as the federal government, with the concurrence of both constituent states,

6. A Monitoring Committee composed of representatives of the guarantor powers, the federal government, and the constituent states, and chaired by the United Nations, will monitor the implementation of this Agreement,

7. The constituent states will prohibit violence and the incitement to violence against the United Cyprus Republic, the federal government, the constituent states, or the guarantor powers,

8. Cyprus will not put its territory at the disposal of international military operations other than with the consent of both constituent states; until the accession of Turkey to the European Union, the consent of Greece and Turkey shall also be required,

9. The provisions about security do not prejudice the provisions of the Treaty of Establishment, the Treaty of Guarantee and the Treaty of Alliance,

10. Lands to be handed over to the Greek Cypriot State will remain under rule of the Turkish Cypriot state for a temporary period,

TURKEY'S ROLE

1. Special ties of friendship with Turkey and Greece will be maintained,

2. The constituent states will respect the balance between Turkey and Greece within a peaceful environment in the Eastern Mediterranean,

3. The new Cyprus will support Turkey's accession to the EU,

4. The Treaty of Establishment's coming into force will require not only approval of the sides through referendums, but also signing of an agreement about the new order by the guarantor powers,

NEW STATE OF AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEES

1. With the Treaty of Establishment, a new state of affairs will be established,

2. The sides will announce their decision to renew their partnership,

3. The United Cyprus Republic will have new anthem,

4. The United Cyprus Republic will have a flag,

5. The Treaty of Establishment will be approved by the United Nations Security Council,

6. Cyprus will become a member of the United Nations under the new order to be established in the island,

7. The Council of Europe will ratify the Treaty of Establishment,

8. The EU will ratify the Treaty of Establishment,

9. Co-presidents will request the EU to make parameters of the solution a part of the primary law of the EU,

10. Co-presidents will inform the European Court of Human Rights that the United Cyprus Republic will be the interlocutor of legal applications about property, and ask the court to dismiss the current cases of property,

11. Representatives of the two constituent states (4 Greek Cypriots and 2 Turkish Cypriots) will be charged at the European Parliament,

12. Presidential council President and Vice President will represent the new Cyprus at meetings of the EU Council,

13. Turkish will become one of the official and working languages of the EU after meeting necessary requirements of personnel and technical equipment,

OTHER ELEMENTS

1. The sides will announce that the tragic events of the past will never be repeated,

2. The sides' legislative, executive and judicial proceedings prior to the Treaty of Establishment's coming into force will be valid on the condition of conformity with the Treaty,

3. During the transition period, legislative, executive and judicial organs of the constituent states will continue to function,

4. Forty five thousand (45,000) of those who migrated from Turkey to Cyprus in the course of time will be granted citizenship and continue staying in the island,

5. The claims of persons who were dispossessed of their properties by events prior to entry into force of this Agreement will be resolved in a comprehensive manner in accordance with international law. Property claims will be received and administered by an independent, impartial Property Board, governed by an equal number of members from each constituent state, as well as non-Cypriot members,

6. External debts since 1964 will be repaid by the constituent state which benefited the loan,

7. In the first years after the Treaty of Establishment comes into force, federal economic policy will give priority to adjustment of economies of the two constituent states,

8. The EU will provide the Turkish Cypriot State with financial aid under adjustment to EU acquisitions,

9. Owners of lands to be handed over to the Greek Cypriot State will be provided with alternative residence and livelihood opportunities. The deadline for resettlement will be extended for poorly dispossessed owners. A fund will be allocated from the federal budget for the year 2005,

10. The non-Cypriot people who resided in these lands for at least five years will be encouraged financially to return to their countries,

11. Turkish Cypriot State's handing over lands to the Greek Cypriot State will be completed in a period of 3.5 years,

12. Property restitution will not start for empty properties before 3 years and for inhabited properties before 5 years,

13. Requests for compensation stemming from loss of use will be diverted to the constituent state of the citizen making the request.

[06] Statements by the Turkish Government Spokesman after the Turkish Council Minister´s meeting for the Cyprus problem. He says Cyprus referendum results need not to be submitted to Turkish National Assembly

Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday regarding the commitment to be made to the United Nations for submitting the result of referendum in Cyprus to Turkish Parliament, that ''there is no need to present it to Parliament. We think one of our friend's to sign it on behalf of the government will be enough.''

When asked whether a method was determined about the commitment to be made to the U.N. and submitting the Annan Plan to Parliament, Cicek said: ''A document for approval will be submitted to Parliament only after the referendum which will be held on April 24. Before this, our Foreign Minister will have brought the issue to Parliament.''

When asked whether a meeting with Mr Rauf Denktas would be held, Cicek said: ''We shall not be in a dilemma such as 'Turkish government is on the one side of seesaw and Denktas is on the other side of it', otherwise, we will make a mistake against our kinsmen there. What we are looking for is a just and permanent peace there and to protect the rights of our kinsmen and Turkey. Nobody should leave them against each other at this point.''

''I have tried to say a sentence from the beginning. We have tried to carry on the negotiations until now by making consultations together with the representatives of related institutions in Turkey on various levels. We have reached a certain stage by discussing our priorities and sine qua nons and determining the methods together with related sides of `TRNC´. We shall consider the issue from this point of view. Otherwise, we will have made such a national issue an inner policy discussion,'' said Cicek.

[07] The so-called attorney general of the occupation regime supports that conducting a referendum would be contrary to the "constitution"

According to the "laws" of the occupation regime, the "constitutional court" should issue its decision within 45 days.

Meanwhile, the so-called attorney general of the regime, Mr Akin Sait supported that not only the "referendum law", but the Cyprus talks too are contrary to the "laws", because they aim at the creation of a new state.

[08] Talat comments on yesterday´s meeting of the pseudoassembly which assessed the latest developments of the Cyprus problem. He says Rauf Denktas´ influence regarding the referendum is important

"Question: Mr Talat, there is an issue that we are most curious about naturally. You discussed the issue at the `Republican Assembly´. The Assembly held a session. You emerged from that session. Tell us now. How did the discussions go? What is the general atmosphere in the Republican Assembly of the ´TRNC´.

Answer: The "Assembly" session today took place in two parts. The first part was held behind closed doors. Many issues were assessed, discussed. Information was given. Naturally, a significant part of this secret information, in the event it is announced to the public, might give rise to speculations and to various arguments that might be used by the Greek Cypriot side or by our sector. This information was given to our colleagues, to our deputies, in the closed session. Following the closed session, we held an open one. Naturally, the improvements to the plan were discussed in the open session. In this session, I explained to my friends the improvements from the viewpoint of the Greek Cypriots and why the possibility of our acceptance of these improvements has increased. I asked them to act positively, to extend their support, and to take the path of a solution for the future of the Turkish Cypriots as well as that of Turkey taking into consideration that the Cyprus issue has become an unbearable burden for Turkey as a regional and a world power and from the viewpoint of it being able to meet its international obligations. The Assembly session was held within this framework.

Question: Was the atmosphere positive? Was it half-half? What was your impression?

Answer: I believe that it was quite positive. As you know, the Democratic Party is in a critical position.

Question: I believe that Mr Serdar Denktas has not yet clarified his stand on the issue. It seems as though he has not yet determined his position, that he is standing in the middle. Do you have the same impression?

Answer: Yes, yes, yes, It is exactly as you have described. Should I say unfortunately, or should I say thank God? I do not know. It will depend on the result that will emerge. If the result is positive, in other words, if it is "yes", if they support the product of their contributions -- I believe that would be the rational behavior -- then we can achieve a better result. We want some 70-75 percent of the votes. I believe that we created a plan which the Turkish Cypriot people can adopt willingly. In conclusion, we should value the plan that has been created. I was asked many questions while the issue was being discussed in parliament today. As far as I could see, the replies I gave put the deputies at ease, because we made significant amendments to the plan as compared to the version that was existent before we went to Switzerland. We arranged the issues which we considered of vital importance. Therefore, I believe that a plan that one can accept willingly was created.

Question: Mr Rauf Denktas harshly criticized the plan in Bursa. At one point he had us all worried. His eyes teared. To what extent can Rauf Denktas influence the campaign?

Answer: He can influence. Maybe, not as much as he would have in the past. Not as much as he would have in previous years, because people are now more aware, they have more understanding. They comprehend more. Mr. Denktas' intransigent attitude based on his history and experience will eventually influence the people. As you have said, he cried.

Question: He did not cry. His eyes teared. We felt it.

Answer: It is the same thing. Then, he cried inside. This is what it means. As a result, people cannot resist sadness and tears. Turkish Cypriots are sentimental. Therefore, as I have said, he can have an influence, but it is also a fact that this plan does not have an alternative. It is impossible to preserve the "TRNC" in its current form. The "TRNC" is bound to change, one way or another, in the aftermath of the referenda irrespective of the positive or negative result because the status quo cannot be continued.

Question: When are you launching your campaign? Will it be a big one? Will you seek Ankara's support?

Answer: Yes, we will conduct a large campaign. We have started on a smaller scale. Our party council has unanimously decided to support the plan. It made a recommendation to the congress. Our party congress will convene at 1930 tomorrow [6 April]. I am expecting our congress to adopt a unanimous decision. As of the next day a big campaign will be launched. Yes, we will launch a large campaign, because our goal is big, because we should solve the Cyprus problem, because we want to rescue the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey from this difficult situation and to unite them with the world. This is what we believe in. We are acting based on this belief. Naturally, we seek Turkey's contribution. Our people already know that Turkey is in favour of an agreement that safeguards its own interests. Through the stand it adopted especially in the last few months, Turkey proved this point. It goes without saying that we want and expect Turkey's support as has been the case in the past. This, however, should not be done through manipulations, threats. I believe that it would be most beneficial for Turkey to clearly express its views, requests, concerns, and inclinations."

[09] SABAH: "In case the Greek Cypriots say 'no' the road map is ready"

1. There will be a sounding out on the international arena as regard the recognition of the "TRNC". Work will be carried out to find which countries will recognize the "TRNC" and when the official recognition announcement will be made.

2. The "TRNC Offices" which are operating within the Turkish Embassies abroad will move to separate buildings. Thus the "TRNC", with its offices abroad, although they will not have the status of an embassy, will gain official status with its representative offices abroad.

3. Ankara will apply to the EU to remove economic limitations imposed on the "TRNC".

[10] Mainland settler: "I will take the life of the one who will take my home"

The settler Emin Gungor of occupied Rizzokarpasso village said: "I am a live bomb like people in Iraq. There is no man who will come and take my home and my land. My parent's graves are in Rizzokarpasso' No Greek Cypriot sheep could graze on my graves.

Another settler Osman Sahin said : "I have made investment here .I have planted apple and olive trees. I have repaired the ruined houses of the Greek Cypriot. I have told the old owner of the house who was a Greek Cypriot: 'Do not dare to come and claim your house and property. I will kill you'. He run away without looking back again. I have made ready my gun and ammunition. We have built a mosque, what will happen to it?"

/SK

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