Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-06-11

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Turkey´s intentions towards Cyprus an EU member state.

[02] The Spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry analyses Turkey´s Middle East vision to promote the human rights in the region while violating the human rights of the citizens of an EU member state.

[03] Talat says there are difficulties both for the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey in their relations with the EU.

[04] American officials will reportedly be able to fly directly to the illegal Tymbou airport.

[05] Erdogan and Annan had a surprise meeting in the USA.

[06] Serdar Denktas resorts to blackmail. He wants the right of "self determination" to be exercised in the occupied areas.

[07] Walter Schwimmer stresses that the Greek Cypriot applications to the European Court are not related to the referenda results.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Commentary in AKSAM newspaper analyses the plans for the Greater Middle East and the Black Sea. Turkey in the very center of these plans.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Turkey´s intentions towards Cyprus an EU member state

Referring to Cyprus Mr Tan said that Turkey intended and was preparing to make the necessary arrangements about the Republic of Cyprus under its Customs Union

Obligations.

However,Tan noted, obligations stemming from the Customs Union were naturally two-sided.

Tan said that some arrangements should be made in internal laws in order to adapt the Customs Union to the new European Union (EU) member countries which joined the Union in May and the Republic of Cyprus was excluded from this arrangement.

"It had been seen that the EU had a wrong impression about this matter," Tan said and added:

''These arrangements are perceived as if they are precautionary and as if they are made with the initiative of our government. But, these issues are a requirement of our customs regulation and made to prevent occurrence of any technical problems. We have made necessary explanations to end these wrong impressions. Exclusion of the Greek Cypriot side has stemmed from the new situation in Cyprus after April 24th simultaneous referenda and because we don't recognize the Greek Cypriot side.''

"Turkey's arrangements related with the matter would be limited with trade", Tan explained.

Tan noted that it was obvious that a political result in respect with a comprehensive solution to be reached in Cyprus could not be obtained from this move.

Asked if Turkey would await a new step of the EU towards the territories of Cyprus under Turkish military control, to put into practice arrangements related with the matter, Tan said that it should not be perceived as a precondition.

Tan stated that assuming a balanced approach between the "north" and "south" of Cyprus was a requirement of the results of the simultaneous referenda.

In an effort to exploit the UN Secretary-General´s report for the consolidation of the faits accomplis in occupied Cyprus, Mr Tan said that Annan, in his report unveiled on June 3,called on the international community and UN Security Council "to lift embargoes imposed on Turkish Cypriots, and to end isolation of these people".

''We expect the international community to respond to these calls and to establish direct relations with Turkish Cypriots,'' Tan said.

Tan stated that the report put the responsibility of the failure in the April 24th simultaneous referenda on Annan plan on the Greek Cypriot side, criticized the attitude of the Greek Cypriots during negotiations and before the referenda, but stressed that a lasting solution in Cyprus should depend on political equality or partnership.

[02] The Spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry analyses Turkey´s Middle East vision to promote the human rights in the region while violating the human rights of the citizens of an EU member state

He said: "The most important message of the G-8 summit held in the United States was that leading industrialized countries in the world were ready to support reforms necessary for development of humanity in the Middle East and North Africa.

We have expressed our views about the Broader Middle East Initiative in every occasion during development of the project. Within this framework, we stressed that the initiative should be based on partnership with regional countries, should not be compelling or imposing, should be based on regional demands for reforms, and should be backed by regional governments and people. We also stressed that developments to be recorded in the solution of regional problems, particularly the Arab-Israeli dispute, should have a positive impact on the reform process. We are pleased to say that the G-8 initiative has taken all these factors into consideration.''

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was invited to the meeting to express possible contributions of Turkey, as a neighbor democratic partner in the region, to developments in the Middle East, Tan noted, and added:

"In this context, I would like to underline one thing. Turkey's Middle East vision, aiming to turn the region into a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous geography, has many similarities with principles and goals of the G-8 initiative. Therefore, we have announced that we are ready to make original contributions to projects which are laid down by G-8 partnership and in which regional countries will be interested. As a country which has recorded significant progress in further improvement of democracy and which is very close to beginning of negotiations with the EU (European Union), we think that Turkey can share its experiences with regional countries.''

Turkey had undertaken co-chairmanship of ''democratic aid dialogue'', one of the mechanisms foreseen to be formed at the G-8 summit, Tan pointed out.

Tan said that this ''democratic aid dialogue'' would be a mechanism open to participation of G-8,EU,other countries and regional countries in order to ensure coordination in initiatives carried out in the region to strengthen democratic institutions, and in order to make joint projects. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan had the opportunity to share Turkey's views about regional problems, particularly Arab-Israeli dispute and the situation in Iraq, with leaders of G-8 and other countries during the summit, Tan added.

[03] Talat says there are difficulties both for the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey in their relations with the EU

In statements after meeting the Commissioner responsible for the enlargement of the EU, Mr Gunter Verheugen, Mr Talat alleged that both the EU Commission and the Turkish side are concerned because of the veto right of the Republic of Cyprus, something which "could cause many problems that are difficult to be overcome in these conditions".

"Verheugen did not tell me that we could be at ease, he explained the difficulties and his thoughts", noted Mr Talat and said:

"The rules for the Green Line have been prepared. They do not satisfy us, but it is a text containing serious progress. Now the principles for free trade are defined. There are some technical issues such as the Green Line, the free trade, the direct flights and lifting the embargoes in sports. Meanwhile, I explained our initiatives for arrangements towards the harmonization with the EU norms. For example they are sensitive on the issue of having the civilians tried at military courts. I informed them that we have solved this issue. I told them about the actions towards democratization and that the crossings were facilitated. 'There are difficulties. The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the EU. We shall be as active as we can. We are working in the international field. We are planning visiting the capitals of the big EU member-countries before the EU Summit. I am waiting for invitations. We have to go and explain. The difficulties are many. Turkey too has great difficulties. It is facing the situation of recognizing the Republic of Cyprus. 'I saw no negative stance by any country. Turkey has shown a very good performance. I think that Turkey will get a date for negotiations. The Cyprus problem has been removed for Turkey. The Council will not put the Cyprus problem in front of Turkey. This is very obvious. ' ".

Furthermore, Mr Talat noted that a program and a plan regarding EU granting the 259 million euro financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots could be ready until the end of 2004.

"The EU Commission gives the impression that they will do everything they can for the creation of the environment for free trade", said Mr Talat noting that the main lines of the relevant draft proposal of the Commission to the EU Council, which will take place in the end of the month, are not yet known.

Mr Talat supported that the European Parliament could accept the demand of the Turkish side to have two Turkish Cypriot observers and added: "Making a step for eliminating the source of the isolation is very difficult for the moment. In case a health certificate is ensured from the Greek Cypriot government, there is no problem. The Greek Cypriots say: 'let them come and take the necessary documents from us'. We are saying that they have no right to do this, because they do not represent us. This is the source of the problem. For example, they prevent the free trade and personal cases could be opened at the European Court of Human Rights. We shall try the legal way as well, but we are not at this stage yet. First, let us clean our way".

The paper writes that Mr Talat went yesterday to Strasbourg where he will be meeting the President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Luzius Wildhaber and the General Secretary of the Council of Europe, Walter Schwimmer. He is expected to inform Mr Wildhaber about the appeals of Greek Cypriot refugees to the ECHR and the work of the "committee", which the occupation regime alleges that it has established for examining claims by Greek Cypriots regarding their properties. Mr Talat is expected to discuss with Mr Schwimmer the issue of the representation of the Turkish Cypriots at the Council of Europe.

[04] American officials will reportedly be able to fly directly to the illegal Tymbou airport

Political observers, continues KIBRIS, believe that the officials could have contacts with "officials" of the occupation regime during their visits. Invoking diplomatic sources, the paper reports also that the instructions for encouraging the US citizens to fly directly to the occupied areas of Cyprus have already been given to the institutions concerned.

[05] Erdogan and Annan had a surprise meeting in the USA

As the paper writes Mr Erdogan and Mr Annan during their meeting, which lasted half an hour, talked about Iraq and Cyprus. Mr Erdogan stated that they discussed with the UN Secretary-General about his report regarding the Cyprus Developments which Mr Annan submitted recently to the UN Security Council. Mr Erdogan said that he also thanked Mr Annan for his efforts as regards the procedure for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and he brought up the issue of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. Responding to this Mr Annan said to the Turkish Prime Minister that he referred to the issue of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots in his report and that since then he has continued to talk about it in every given opportunity.

[06] Serdar Denktas resorts to blackmail. He wants the right of "self determination" to be exercised in the occupied areas

Serdar Denktas together with his party's Central Committee members had visited the occupied Morphou area and met with the people. During the meeting Denktas explained to the people his party's and the so -called government's views as regards the Annan plan. Serdar Denktas said: "We do not intent to wait for the Greek Cypriots long. We are telling this to the heads of the foreign diplomatic missions, the Greek Cypriot side either takes a step until December or we will exercise our right to self determination. We are very firm on this issue. And we expect that the world will show understanding"

He went on and said: "It was the DP that made the greatest contribution to the Annan Plan and paves the way before the people to a bright future. For this reason, we want to stay in the government. If we feel that we will not be able to succeed then we will leave the government."

Referring to attempts to establishing a new "government" he said that they were working on three alternatives and if they succeed the new "government" will be ready at the end of this month.

Denktas said that following the 24 April referendum and its results, not only the people of Morfou are worried about their future but all those people who are included in the Annan plan. "For this reason the government will not allow this issue to go on forever and it will announce its vision at the end of the year", Serdar Denktas concluded .

[07] Walter Schwimmer stresses that the Greek Cypriot applications to the European Court are not related to the referenda results

The extract on Cyprus under the subtitle: "European Court has to assess new situation in Cyprus", is as follows:

"Asked about the European Court of Human Rights attitude towards applications from Greek Cypriots over their property rights in northern Cyprus after the Greek Cypriots rejection of a U.N.-backed reunification plan, Schwimmer said, "In fact, the one has nothing to do with the other, the court can take only legal decisions not political decisions; but there is a lot of change in the legislation in northern Cyprus, so the court will have to decide whether this is sufficient or not before the court will tackle other cases."

The European Court of Human Rights receives applications from Greek Cypriots who claim that their property rights were violated by Turkey after the military intervention in 1974 following a Greek Cypriot coup by supporters of union with Greece.

In the last of such cases, Turkey was found guilty and the European court awarded a Greek Cypriot woman, Titina Loizidou, compensation for Turkey's intervention of her land in northern Cyprus.

"I know that the court will have to assess the new situation in Cyprus," Schwimmer noted."

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Commentary in AKSAM newspaper analyses the plans for the Greater Middle East and the Black Sea. Turkey in the very center of these plans

"The decisions NATO will be making at the Istanbul summit will shape world politics. It appears that the decisions will be made in line with the United States' interests. The steps toward involving NATO more extensively in the Greater Middle East are an indication of this.

In practice, the Greater Middle East is being divided into several regions. There are plans to form a Mediterranean Dialogue group consisting of "Grey Area" countries like Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Here is a noteworthy plan to establish military cooperation between Arab countries and Israel.

These countries will not be included in partnership mechanisms but in a status similar to the Partnership for Peace (PFP). The Istanbul Cooperation Initiative is being formed with this purpose in mind. The plan is to make it possible for willing regional countries to take part in this initiative. The apparent aim is: a) To fight terrorism. b) To prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction c) To fight arms, drugs, and human trafficking. d) To carry out civilian emergency planning. e)To promote international military cooperation.

Subtitle: NATO in Greater Middle East

As for the plan to broaden NATO's area of influence in the Middle East, here is what it involves:

a. Encouraging reforms that will integrate the defense structure of regional countries with NATO.

b. Stepping up support for the efforts to increase regional countries' capabilities for conducting joint operations.

c. Establishing NATO "Contact Bureaus" in regional countries.

d. Appointing a NATO Special Envoy who will be responsible for coordinating activities in the region.

e. Restructuring the management of the PFP fund.

f. Establishing a "Multinational Anti-Terror Unit" at brigade level with the contributions of regional countries.

These plans indicate that NATO's center of gravity is shifting out of Europe. Another indication of this is the United States' plan for the deployment of its troops outside the US homeland. The United States is abandoning its current basing policies, which entail big investments. It is planning to intervene rapidly in crises by establishing Forward Operation Bases with ready infrastructures and resources close to crisis areas. The United States will maintain a smaller number of troops here to be rotated every six months. Places like Cyprus are important from the viewpoint of this plan.

Subtitle: Watch out for the Black Sea

Bulgaria passed a resolution on 16 December 2003 allowing the United States to set up bases and maintain troops in this country. On 8 January 2004, Poland started negotiations with the United States over the same topic. Similar steps are being taken in Romania, too. Within this framework, the United States is planning to withdraw some 40,000 troops from Germany by 2006 and close down some 20 percent of its 500 bases.

On the other hand, the United States is placing the issue of "security in the Black Sea" on the international agenda via countries under its influence bordering the Black Sea. There are plans to establish bases in the Black Sea region. The aim is to broaden the NATO sea operations carried out in Eastern Mediterranean so as to include the Black Sea. There is a need to watch out for the Montreaux Treaty during this process.

Turkey is at the very center of these plans. It is powerful and well-positioned enough to influence this process. For this reason, it could not remain silent even if it wanted to."

/SK

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