Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-01-27

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Gul: ''Customs Union supplementary protocol will be signed in a period we will know''

[02] Talat: "European Union stands behinds its promise"

[03] Foreign Ministry Spokesman supports Buyukkanit's remarks on Cyprus

[04] General Basbug hold a press conference on Iraq, USA, Cyprus and Iran issues

[05] Mehmet Agar stated that General Buyukkanit's statements regarding Cyprus must have already been discussed in the National Security Council of Turkey

[06] Kutlay Erk met with former Danish Prime-Minister Rasmussen. A delegation of the Socialist Group will visit Cyprus on 5 February

[07] The occupation regime refuses to hand over the suspects for the Guzelyurtlu murder to the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus

[08] Turkish researches foundation issues a statement on the Cyprus problem

[09] Accusations regarding the selling out land in the occupied part of Cyprus to an Israeli company

[10] Through leakages by diplomatic sources Turkey is trying to exploit U.S. plans on Iran's nuclear programme

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Gul: ''Customs Union supplementary protocol will be signed in a period we will know''

Prior to his departure for Poland to attend a ceremony to commemorate the victims of Auschwitz camp set up by Nazis in Poland during World War Two, Gul told reporters: ''Turkey sincerely wants a permanent solution in Cyprus which all sides will accept. Turkey and Turkish Cypriots greatly fulfilled their responsibilities about this issue.''

When asked whether the Customs Union supplementary protocol will be signed by the end of February, Gul said: ''It is not important whether it will be signed in February or March. It will be signed in a period which we will know.''

[02] Talat: "European Union stands behinds its promise"

Mr Mehmet Ali Talat had separate meetings yesterday with EU Commissioner in charge of Enlargement, Mr Olli Rehn, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Mr Javier Solana and Minister responsible for EU Affairs of the Luxembourg Presidency, Mr Nicolas Schmit. All the above EU officials said to Mr Talat: "We gave our word to the Turkish Cypriots as European Union. We stand behind our promise," the paper reports. No statements were released regarding those meetings.

After the meeting with Mr Schmit, Mr Talat said: "We want a solution on the island. We want a united Cyprus. We can start negotiations on this issue. But it is necessary to persuade the UN Secretary-General on this issue." He also added that the EU must keep its word that it gave on 26 April 2004 regarding the lifting of the isolation.

Mr Talat also delivered a speech at a panel discussion organised by the ARI Movement and the European Policy Centre (EPC). In his speech, inter alia, Mr Talat said: "In the old days there was an argument in Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots do not want a solution. This argument was changed after the referendums. After the referendums, the Greek Cypriots cannot represent the Republic of Cyprus as the only authority. We explained to the world the stance of the Greek Cypriots that do not want a solution. The isolation that is applied to the Turkish Cypriots is not right. Until there is a solution, the Turkish Cypriots must be freed from the isolation and the financial aid should be materialised. Although there are 'elections' on 20 February, if the Greek Cypriots are ready we are ready to sit on the negotiation table. On the issue of the Annan plan, the Greek Cypriots were misled by their administration. We must inform them correctly."

Mr Talat went on: "Our aim is a political equality in the island. The regulations and the direct trade are issues of an interim solution. And if we get any kind of international support on these issues, we cannot accept the fact that we cannot represent Cyprus on the international field."

Talat will return to the occupied area of Cyprus today.

[03] Foreign Ministry Spokesman supports Buyukanit's remarks on Cyprus

[04] General Basbug held a press conference on Iraq, USA, Cyprus and Iran issues

Opening the press conference, Basbug said that under NATO's troop rotation plan for Afghanistan, the 3rd Army Corps in Istanbul will fulfil its ISAF duties for six months as of 13 February. He stressed that Turkey is involved in Afghanistan within the NATO framework and not within the context Turkey-US relations.

Commenting next on Iraq, Basbug said that "compared to the past, the situation in Mosul is not fraught with a major conflict now."

Basbug noted that on the other hand the demographic change taking place today in Kirkuk goes beyond the one envisaged under Article 58 of the Provisional Constitution of Iraq, adding: "The press has openly reported that hundreds of thousands of Kurdish refugees transferred to Kirkuk have been registered on the electoral rolls and efforts are under way to register more. These registration processes has actually been completed as of yesterday. We have stated repeatedly that this situation might render the election results in Kirkuk questionable and make a just and lasting solution there almost impossible. You will remember that in our various briefings since June we have been drawing attention to this issue. Worse still, we are worried that these developments might even threaten Iraq's territorial and political integrity and engender a major security problem in the region. Such a development would also cause a serious security problem for Turkey. We are closely following the election process in Iraq. The elections will be an important milestone in transferring the sovereignty to the Iraqis. The high participation in the elections, primarily by the Sunnites, will, in a way, contribute greatly to the legitimacy of the elections. It is, therefore, obvious that every measure should be taken in this framework. For the post-election situation in Iraq to be positive, the election results should be endorsed by the entire Iraqi people, a reconciliation government should be established representing all the ethnic groups, the Iraqi people should believe in the success of this government -- also an important factor --, the Iraqi security forces' effectiveness should be speedily enhanced through the gradual assumption of the responsibilities of the coalition forces, and, finally, the sides should compromise on the constitution to be drafted."

Commenting next on the "high-level" contacts with the US officials in January, Basbug said: "Exchange of opinions was held on matters concerning the region and the two countries. The Turkish Armed Forces [TAF] have always maintained a close relation with their American counterparts. What should be known is that Turkey's relations with the United States are so broad and comprehensive that they cannot be reduced to any specific issue."

Viewing next Greece's "claims" of violations in the Aegean and recent developments around Imia, Basbug explains that Greece is unilaterally assuming a 10-mile air space, whereas Greece's territorial waters is six miles and under international agreements the air space should be as wide as the territorial waters and for that reason Turkey does not recognize Greece's 10-mile airspace. Besides, he adds, under the International Civil Aviation Organization regulations the military aircraft do not have to abide by the FIR [Flight Information Region] rules. Basbug added: "Greece sees this line as almost a Greek-Turkish border and, for identification purposes, stops, and often harasses, every plane of ours that crosses this line. We, as Turkey, notify our flights to the NATO authorities and fly over the Aegean unarmed. Yet, our planes are often harassed by armed Greek planes."

Basbug added that the Greek press reports over Imia also do not reflect the realities, as Turkey's position on Imia "are well known to all the sides involved." Basbug said: "The Turkish Armed Forces give great importance to the mitigation of tension in the Aegean, to the development of the Turkish-Greek friendship, and to the preservation of the status quo established by international agreements. If Greece continues with this vicious circle of creating problems in the Aegean, it will, in our opinion, only exhaust its power and energy in vain. The region has enough problems, and logic calls not for the aggravation but mitigation of these problems. In this framework, we would like to declare that we consider as important Greek Naval Forces commander's visit to Turkey, as it will contribute greatly to the Turkish-Greek friendship."

Changing subject abruptly, Basbug next stated: "As long as the reactionary and separatists movements continue to exist, it will always be the priority concern of the TAF to combat them." He also added that the TAF will also act with sensitivity in combating corruption [in the Armed Forces], warning the press at the same time that it would be unlawful and unethical for unauthorized persons and institutions to pass extrajudicial judgments in connection with the pending cases [against some retired officers].

Basbug concluded his introductory statement by saying that the Army is closely following the international developments and is generating strategies and measures accordingly, that "the developments in the region show that Turkey is facing difficult conditions," and that the TAF are resolved the defend the rights of the Turkish people and state.

Asked if he distrusts the US Administration's promises as regards Kirkuk, Basbug said that the situation in Iraq is complex and hence it is difficult to say that every development in Iraq is under the full control of the Iraqi government and the coalition forces. The issue regarding Kirkuk, Basbug added, is whether Article 58 of the Provisional Constitution is being applied in a sound manner. Basbug pointed out that the TAF have been touching on this issue during their regular briefing of the public and during their meetings with the American officials, adding: "The picture is a bit worrying. The important thing is for the 30 January elections in Iraq not to cause major incidents. And even more important, which we have always underlined, is the endorsement of the election results by all the sides in Iraq. If the results are not endorsed by all the sides and kindle even bigger problems, our fears might become a reality."

Asked again about Kirkuk and about the talks with the US officials in January, Basbug said: "There are a number of fundamental issues which are vital for us. One of this is that Kirkuk should not be attached to any Kurdish region, that is, Kirkuk's special status should be preserved. The second is the protection and defence of the political rights of our Turcoman compatriots in Kirkuk and elsewhere in Iraq. Of course, Turkey cannot be silent on these matters. But at this stage, we are engaged in no action other than conveying through diplomatic channels, and other means, our friendly opinions and warnings to the relevant officials. But, if in the end the situation becomes serious there, then it could also turn into a serious security problem for Turkey. We are hoping that the things will not take such a turn. That is why we must maintain our hope as regards Kirkuk, even if there is little hope."

Commenting further on the January talks with the US officials, Basbug said: "As I said, we had some high-ranking visitors from the United States in recent days. We discussed various matters with them. As I underlined in my briefing, we, as the armed forces, have always been in close contact with our US counterparts. But this does not mean that we do not have different opinions on certain issues. Having close relations is one thing, reaching the same decision and conclusion something else. But what is important is to openly and clearly discuss the opinions and worries of each other. There are, of course, differences of opinion and positions on certain issues. You seem to have focused on the differences. But what I wanted to specifically note is that the relations between Turkey and the United States are too broad and comprehensive to be reduced to any specific issue. It would be another matter if your question were to touch a vital issue. Have these relations come down to a single vital issue or not? That is something that requires a separate evaluation. But you cannot mortgage your ties to one single issue -- provided that it is not vital -- with a country with which we have such a broad and comprehensive relationship."

Basbug went on to say that in these talks with the US officials they did not broach the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] issue, adding that Turkey's security first of all concerns itself, but the struggle against terrorism also requires international support. And Busbug added: "If we look at the issue realistically, we have to underscore the fact that the United States has given huge support to Turkey in its struggle against the PKK terror organization. We would be committing a big mistake if we fail to underline this fact. Just remember the past, the period up to the last that is the second, Iraqi war. And remember the support given by the United States to Turkey in its struggle against the PKK. But it should also be openly stated that the picture has taken a bit different shape after the second Iraqi war. In connection with this period, especially after the second Iraqi operation, the United States knows perfectly well what Turkey expects from it as regards the PKK terror organization, especially in northern Iraq. There is no sense in repeating these expectations over and over again. Of course the talks are continuing. A tripartite meeting was also held in our Foreign Ministry some days ago. Well then, what is the issue on which we do not converge? You might ask, what is the reason of us not fully converging on the same point with the United States as regards the PKK terrorism? Yes, we are not converging on the same point. We have said this before. What is then the problem? According to our assessment of the present situation -- I am talking about the present, not what might happen tomorrow -- the United States has not reached the necessary political decision and decisiveness for a military operation against the PKK in northern Iraq. This is the difference between us and the United States."

Asked about the United States' request to turn Incirlik into a base for cargo transportation to Iraq, Basbug said that there are no NATO or US bases in Turkey, all the bases in Turkey belong to Turkey and are under its sovereignty, and the Incirlik base, formally known as the 10th Turkish Tanker High Command, could be used either in the context of NATO, or Defence and Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Turkey and the United States, or on Turkey's discretion, adding that the Americans wanted some minor additional flight training rights in Konya proving grounds within the DCA framework and that Turkey has evaluated those demands, conveyed its views to the Americans, and is waiting for a reply. He added: "That issue is pending. If tomorrow they come with proposals for discussion, talks on this issue will continue."

Basbug noted that Incirlik is still being used for logistics and humanitarian flights to Afghanistan under a UN Security Council and Turkish government decisions that expire on June 2005, that this is not a right granted to the United States specifically, other countries too are using it for that purpose in the Afghani operation, and that it is within the framework of the above arrangement that the United States has been making a proposal to use Incirlik as a logistics transit centre for Afghani and Iraqi operations. This issue is still being assessed by the government, Basbug added.

Asked to comment on Bulent Ecevit's recent statement to the effect that Ismet Inonu has willed the occupation of Mosul under the right conditions and that the conditions are now right for the TAF forces to enter Iraq and seize Mosul, Basbug said that after a heated debate in Turkey between 1922 and 1926 Ataturk ceded Mosul to Britain with 1926 Ankara Agreement, adding: "The young Turkish Republic in 1926 has signed an agreement over Mosul. And the young Turkish Republic of that time as well as its successor, the present Turkish Republic, remains true to the agreements endorsed. It will be very wrong to think in any other way. We have to discard this sort of approach to this problem [Ecevit's approach]. You have signed an agreement over this matter, and as of the moment of signing you have to respect that agreement and adhere to its provisions." As a warning against such projects, Basbug reminded Ataturk's statement in 1923 to the effect that Turkey might easily occupy Mosul but it cannot be sure that the war it would trigger will have a quick ending.

Asked to comment on Turkish Land Forces Commander Yasar Buyukanit's statement in "northern Cyprus" that no troops will be withdrawn from Cyprus unless a just and lasting solution is found, Basbug said that Buyukanit's statement also reflects the views of the General Staff and of the government. Basbug said that Cyprus should not be regarded as an issue blocking Turkey's path, adding that the Turkish side showed its sincere wish for a solution in Cyprus during the 24 April referendum, and "now to ask Turkey to make a gesture is extremely unfair to Turkey. We view any call for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from Cyprus, in any amount, numbers are not important, as a great injustice done to Turkey. As I said already, the withdrawal of troops from Cyprus is not on Turkey's agenda. Those who raise this issue are probably doing it intentionally."

Asked to comment on whether domestic or foreign issues are predominant in the National Security Policy Document currently being updated, Basbug first noted that this document is the product of the Council of Ministers and not of the Armed Forces, adding that whether domestic or foreign issues gain priority in the document depends on the assessment of the conditions in the country, adding that since 1984 the domestic security concerns have had ascendancy over the foreign threats because of the separatist terrorism and reactionary activities.

Asked if Turkey is worried about the clashes or the emergence of a Kurdish state in post-election Iraq, Basbug said the unsuccessful election results might lead to clashes, or even trigger a civil war in Iraq, and the inclusion of Kirkuk in the Kurdish region might also lead to the emergence of a Kurdish state.

To a question on US worries over Iranian nuclear program, Basbug said that they want peaceful and diplomatic solution to this problem, wish the sides to approach this issue with understanding, and want the successful conclusion of the talks that Britain, France, and German are holding with Iran, adding: "At the same time, Iran has to work in harmony with the International Atomic Energy Agency. On this issue, Iran has to fulfil the responsibilities that befall it. And Iran should also show to the world that it will really use its nuclear program for peaceful purposes."

Asked to comment on his previous complaint in a similar news conference about PKK leader Ocalan running his separatist organization from prison, Basbug said the Justice Ministry has launched the necessary investigation but there has so far not been any court decision, adding that the Bar Association too should take action against the lawyers who violate the laws [by acting as the messengers of Ocalan].

Asked about the unpaid personal loans of the Turkish officers, Basbug said that the young officers' salaries are below the minimum wage, adding that the problem mostly arises from officers spending more than their credit cards allow. Describing this as a serious problem, Basbug said that now the spending of the officers are closely monitored by the unit commands.

Asked to comment on an Internet report to the effect that a US seismic research from space has detected a large "petroleum sea between Turkey and Syria," Basbug said he is not yet aware of this report, adding that he will investigate the issue.

[05] Mehmet Agar stated that General Buyukkanit's statements regarding Cyprus must have already been discussed in the National Security Council of Turkey

General Yasar Buyukkanit, who is the commander of the land forces of the Turkish army, stated during his visit in occupied Cyprus last Monday that "Not even a single soldier will leave from here before a final and lasting agreement is achieved".

Stressing that this statement as regards Cyprus should have actually been made by the Turkish Government, Mr Agar said that the political integrity demands that the Turkish Government confirms this statement.

"This statement must have already been discussed in the National Security Council, in order to be made. Actually it was the Turkish Government that should have made it. There must be an agreement at the NSC in order for the commander of the land forces to state this. It draws the attention the fact that the Government does not make any statements as regards this issue. It seems that they are avoiding to say what they have to say", said Mr Agar.

[06] Kutlay Erk met with former Danish Prime-Minister Rasmussen. A delegation of the Socialist Group will visit Cyprus on 5 February

Mr Erk, who met with Mr Rasmussen in the framework of the efforts of the lifting of the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots, stated that the "lifting" of the so-called isolation does not mean the recognition of the pseudostate and that there is not such a demand.

During the meeting, which lasted one hour, the two men discussed the latest developments as regards the Cyprus problem and the pseudo mayor thanked the Socialist Group of the European Parliament for its support as regards the Cyprus problem. Mr Erk also alleged at the meeting that the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Tassos Papadopoulos opposes any measures to be taken in favour of the Turkish Cypriots.

In addition, as the paper writes, Mr Erk's contacts had a result and a delegation of the Socialist Group will visit Cyprus on the 5th of February, in order to hold contacts in the occupied areas.

[07] The occupation regime refuses to hand over the suspects for the Guzelyurtlu murder to the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus

In statements during a press conference on the issue, Mr Sait argued yesterday: "No state can hand over its citizens to be tried in another state".

Noting that the international law cannot accept this, Mr Sait pointed out that handing over the suspects arrested for the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family to the police of the Republic of Cyprus was out of the question.

Expressing the opinion that "the two sides must cooperate", Mr Said added: "Many incidents will happen both in our side and in that side, because of the opening of the doors. There is no other way than cooperating.After we evaluate the evidence in our hands we shall file charges against the suspects, if there is a case which demands this. Otherwise they will be freed. They can go wherever they want after that.".

According to KIBRIS, another person was arrested yesterday regarding the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family. With this arrest the number of the suspects increased to six. The suspect's name is Ali and he lives in the occupied Morfou area. The "police" say nothing on the issue and conduct the investigation very secretly, writes KIBRIS.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA (27.01.05), the information regarding the arrest of another suspect regarding the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family has been given by Greek Cypriot sources and it has not been confirmed by the "police" of the occupation regime.

KIBRIS reports also that the lawyer of the suspects, Mr Mustafa Bulent Asena said yesterday that the occupation regime had no evidence against his clients and that he would resign from the case if they were not released today. "I am a lawyer. I cannot be a walk-on in this comedy", he noted.

Furthermore, under the front page title "Justice is under pressure", daily KIBRISLI newspaper (27.01.05) writes that Mr Asena expressed the opinion that statements made by politicians and the political developments are exerting pressure onto the whole "system of justice" in the occupied part of Cyprus. The decisions began to be taken under this pressure, he added.

Moreover, referring to the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family, Basaran Duzgun, editor-in-chief of KIBRIS (27.01.05) writes that the issue was turned into a problem concerning the EU since 1 May 2004 and that Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called prime minister of the occupation regime, discussed the issue yesterday with EU officials during his meetings in Brussels.

Mr Duzgun reminds that the whole of Cyprus has become a member of the EU and that the acquis communataire is not applied in the occupied northern part of the island. He writes, inter alia, the following:

".The EU has issued the Green Line Regulations in order to arrange the economic relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. The improvement of these regulations is discussed. It seems that in parallel with the economic issues there is a need for regulations that will be covering the criminal issues as well. Otherwise, the territory of Cyprus, which is an EU member, will be turned into a place where the criminals will not be found. Those who commit a crime in the north will run to the south and those who commit a crime in the south will run to the north.

According to information that I have acquired, yesterday Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat raised the issue to the EU officials whom he met in Brussels. He explained the 'anomaly' created with the Guzelyurtlu murder and expressed his views on what must be done regarding criminal incidents between the two sides. Such incidents, for which the EU officials are closely interested, will not be absent from our agenda until the solution. .".

[08] Turkish researches foundation issues a statement on the Cyprus problem

The head of the group is retired general and ambassador, Sureyya Yuksel and among its members are former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilter Turkmen, former ambassador Fahir Alacam and retired vice admiral, Salim Dervisoglu.

The group expressed the opinion that the Annan Plan is a text acceptable for Turkey, but the Greek Cypriot side is trying to change the basic balances of the plan to its favour. It also argued that the Greek Cypriot side will conduct a "guerrilla war diplomacy" against Turkey, by using the advantages of its EU membership and by using the threat of veto at every stage of Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU.

The study expresses the opinion that Turkey becoming an EU member without a solution to the Cyprus problem is not possible and that the factor of time in the Cyprus problem is valid not only for Turkey.

"If a solution is not reached within a reasonable period of time, a danger of disintegration might occur in the TRNC", argues the study which describes as "wrong" the opinion that the solution of the Cyprus problem must be kept as a master card in the hands of Turkey until its accession to the EU.

The study says also the following: "Turkey and the TRNC must jointly follow a policy that will ensure that pressure is exerted on Southern Cyprus aiming at reaching a solution within a reasonable period not exceeding the one year. The first condition for the definition of such a joint policy is reaching an agreement in the TRNC on the issue of the parameters of the solution. The result of the 24 April referendum has widely been influenced by Turkey's stance. Turkey determining its thoughts and tendencies on the issue of the solution before the February elections will undoubtedly be useful".

Te study suggests the following regarding the main lines of a possible joint policy between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots:

"The framework of the solution is the last text of the Annan Plan that was submitted to referendum. The aim is making minimum changes in it that will not affect the basic balances. The issues that directly concern Turkey are the Treaty of Guarantee, the Treaty of Alliance, the continental shelf, the air space and the status of the TRNC citizens who come from Turkey. Issues like the constitution, the economy, the immovable property and the residence rights concern more the Turkish Cypriots. The choice on these issues must be left to them".

[09] Accusations regarding the selling out land in the occupied part of Cyprus to an Israeli company

The paper writes that in 2001 the occupation regime began leasing the land, which is in the area of the occupied Yalousa village, to a company named "Loyal and Royal" for the sum of 20-30 US dollars a year. The company committed itself to build in the area a marina, a hotel and a holiday village within the framework of a project named "Port Barbaros".

Meanwhile, the so-called Ministry of Interior of the regime, in spite of the fact that according to the paper "there are more than enough stone quarries" on Pendathaktylos mountain, gave this company permission to open a stone quarry in order to use it in the construction works in Karpass.

The paper argues that no serious investment was made in the area except fencing it and putting it in order and adds that there was a demand by an Israeli company based in Britain to buy all the shares of the Loyal and Royal company for ten million dollars.

[10] Through leakages by diplomatic sources Turkey is trying to exploit U.S. plans on Iran's nuclear programme

Replying to a question on possibility of a U.S. military attack against Iran, which it considered as one of the ''axes of evil'' countries, Turkish diplomatic sources in Washington, D.C., said: ''Turkey and the U.S. have parallel views on Iran's nuclear program.''

The same Turkish sources indicated that in the case of a decision to take precautions against Iran, and a failure in the European Union's dialogues, and the arrival of the Iranian topic at the United Nations General Assembly, new ''fault lines'' may emerge between Turkey and the U.S.

Replying to another question on rising anti-American sentiments, the same sources said, ''at a time when anti-American sentiments are on the rise, we can clearly state that the ordinary Turkish citizen is not anti-American. But, Turks may not be happy with some of the policies of the American administration since the Gulf War,'' a Turkish diplomat said.

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