Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-03-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat says the policy of the AKP will suffer a loss if he is defeated in the illegal elections in April

[02] Turkey says it will continue to support the Turkish Cypriots regardless of who will win the illegal elections in April

[03] Talat will announce his candidature on Saturday

[04] Talat held a meeting with 110 settlers who recently lost their jobs

[05] International banking seminar is being held in the occupied areas

[06] More on the floods in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[07] Survey on Turkish foreign policy shows that Turks are not interested in the Cyprus problem

[08] Turkey expects the U.S. Administration to exert efforts against Armenian resolution

[09] Heron UAVs finally arrive in Turkey

[10] TRT Turks office was opened in Damascus by Turkish Minister Arinc

[11] Military Prosecutor relaunches investigation into alleged plot to topple government

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat says the policy of the AKP will suffer a loss if he is defeated in the illegal elections in April

Asked whether he sees such a concern in Ankara, Mr Talat said:

Honestly, to tell you the truth, until now I have neither conducted any research, nor discussed this issue with anyone. However, I am sure of the result anyway.

When the journalist pointed out that the public opinion polls say the opposite and they do not justify Mr Talats optimism, the Turkish Cypriot leader said that it is not possible for the results of the public opinion polls conducted in December to be the same today and added that even supporters of the National Unity Party (UBP) of Dervis Eroglu are telling him to announce his candidature.

Asked on whether he could say that he will lift the isolations on the breakaway regime if he is elected, Mr Talat responded:

No, I cannot use slogans any more, but there is a course and the people should see this course. And this is the following: If this negotiating process ends with a mistake committed by the Greek Cypriots, not by us, then the lifting of the isolations will come to surface as a strong possibility.

Asked on what will happen if the negotiations end because of the attitude of the Turkish side and what will happen if he wins the illegal elections, Mr Talat said:

Then the isolations will continue and increase. In case I lose, most probably the Turkish side will be considered to be responsible and the isolations will continue and increase because this job will end. If I am re-elected president, I am seeing that the solution is possible in some years and even in 2010. Because the situation is very critical for Christofias. If he could not solve the Cyprus problem, his political life will be over. He represents only 30% in south Cyprus. Think who will support Christofias if a solution is not reached. He will face problems even within his own party. Therefore, the most appropriate is for the solution to come in 2010 and in the first half of 2011 the latest.

When he was asked if he still has the same view as in April 2005 when he claimed that if Dervis Eroglu is elected, Turkey will lose the EU, Mr Talat said he did not want to speak against his opponent and added: The vision, the policy, the approach we follow, is exactly the policy which Turkey needs in its EU process. At least I could say this. The two state solution, the solution with the recognition of our sovereignty and the solution of confederation, could in no manner secure the continuation of the negotiating table.

When Mrs Sevimay pointed out that Mr Eroglu also says that he will continue the negotiations if he is elected, Mr Talat said:

Of course, no one can say that I am not negotiating. However, if you ask me how long the negotiations will continue in case Eroglu is elected, I think that they will continue for a very short period of time. Because saying that I will continue the negotiations, does not necessarily mean that ok, I am accepting the UN framework. Eroglu wants the negotiations to continue within [the framework of] two independent states, the confederation. Even today (23 February) in his message broadcast on Bayrak TV, he said first we will defend the TRNC and then we will look for an agreement. This is his stance. However, there is no solution such as two independent states. This is not possible. The UN parameters do not accept this. Therefore, if you insist on the two independent states, knowing that this will not bring a solution, this, in the best possibility, will be tantamount to the continuation of the status quo.

Responding to another question, Mr Talat argued that the encouragement of Ankara is not enough for finding a solution. In any case, Ankara do not say the details, Ankara does not know the details, he claimed.

Asked on the territorial issue and on a statement he had made in the past that the Turkish side will need to return territory to the Greek side, Mr Talat noted, inter alia, the following:

Of course, I could not have said this, but I said it. Because this is true. This is how the TRNC was established in the very beginning. In 1985, during the period of Mr Denktas, it was accepted that we would preserve a territory between 29% and 30%. Currently this percentage is 37%. This means that we will give 7%. This is a reality which everybody accepts. However, they criticize the one who said it, not the one who accepted it. This is what makes me angry. When the decision for the accession of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU without a solution was taken in 2002, the Turkish Cypriot people were crying in the streets. Some were even taken to the hospital. Those who caused this should explain to me what they did for the TRNC. I, however, have brought the TRNC to its best point in the world. Today, all the leaders in the world accept me as their interlocutor

Replying to another question, Mr Talat alleged that the biggest disadvantage for him in the illegal elections is the fact that the EU and the USA have not kept the promises they gave to the Turkish Cypriots, who lost their moral and their faith for the solution.

Asked on what could happen in the negotiations until 18 April, in order for the voters to be motivated, Mr Talat said that if they close the chapter of governance and power sharing, it would be easier for them to close the chapters of economy and the EU as well. If we announce these, we will motivate the people more, he added.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkey says it will continue to support the Turkish Cypriots regardless of who will win the illegal elections in April

Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday that Turkey supported the Turkish Cypriot cause regardless of who the president is.

Speaking to reporters following Council of Ministers meeting, Cicek said Turkey's policy on the Cyprus issue did not depend on individuals.

Referring to the remarks of Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat who said that the Justice and Development (AK) Party's Cyprus policy would come to an end, should he fail to get reelected in the upcoming election, Cicek said Turkey stood at an equal distance to all candidates.

"Turkey is ready to work with the president who would be elected by TRNC people. Thus, Turkey's support is not to the individuals but to the Turkish Cypriot people and the policies carried out there," he added.

"The parameters of this have earlier been announced. Turkey favors continuation of a fair and permanent peace in line with the U.N. parameters," Cicek said.

On the same issue, A.A. (01.03.10) reports also the following:

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that Turkey preserved its impartiality regarding the presidential elections scheduled for April 18 in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and wished success to all the candidates.

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement following the statements of TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat that he shared the vision of Turkish government to find a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus, noting that the solution vision would incur loses in case he lose the elections.

The statement underlined that Turkish government supported a lasting and fair solution in Cyprus since it has come to power, and noted that Turkish government encouraged Turkish Cypriot people to cast affirmative vote in referenda in April 2004, and continued to support constructive policies of the Turkish Cypriot party despite the intransigency of the Greek Cypriot party in current negotiation process.

"There is a perfectly functioning democracy in TRNC," the statement said and noted that Turkey's determination and support would continue on the solution whoever the president would be.

[03] Talat will announce his candidature on Saturday

(CS)

[04] Talat held a meeting with 110 settlers who recently lost their jobs

Ihsan Sonmez, a representative of the delegation, stated that recently 110 persons lost their job in occupied Karpass area and noted that all of them were settlers. He also said that the self-styled mayor of Karpass, promised to give their jobs back if they support him in the elections.

(CS)

[05] International banking seminar is being held in the occupied areas

An international banking seminar organized by the TRNC Development Bank in cooperation with developments banks which are members of the Islamic Development Bank has started.

The three day seminar entitled Customer Relationship Management Skills: Customer Base Management is taking place at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lefkosa [occupied part of Lefkosia].

Delivering an opening speech at the seminar, the General Manager of the TRNC Development Bank Ahmet Ataner said the bank has been making important contributions to the development of the countrys economy since its establishment.

Also speaking, the General Secretary of the Development Bank Union Nuri Birtek thanked the TRNC Development Bank for hosting the seminar.Senior bank executives from Turkey, Uganda, Egypt, Malaysia, Oman and Sudan as well as the TRNC Development Bank are participating in the seminar.

[06] More on the floods in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (02.03.10) reports that various bridges in the occupied areas of Cyprus were affected by the floods faced during the weekend. Specifically, bridges in occupied Mia Milia and Kapouti villages could not endure the heavy rainfalls and were completely ruined.

The paper, also reports that Mr Ertan Tosun, coordinator of the Turkish assisting delegation, inspected the affected areas accompanied by the self-styled mayor of occupied Lefkosia, Mr Cemal Bulutoglulari. Speaking after the inspection, Mr Tosun stated that the Turkish Republic is always by the side of the breakaway regime and that they will continue to do so in good and in bad days. He added that the assisting delegation will work hard to restore the damages.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (01.03.10) broadcast the following from occupied Lefkosia:

Some tourism facilities in Girne [occupied Keryneia] were also affected by the floods. The Minister of Tourism, Environment and Culture, Ersan Saner, has announced that five hotels were badly damaged by torrential rains. The minister told BRT that damage assessment work is still continuing at hotels affected by the floods.

Mr Saner, who had inspections at 28 hotels in the Girne region, said that five hotels were seriously damaged, with the Vuni Palace being the worst hit. He added that the cost of the damage will be determined in the coming days. The Minister noted that all necessary measures will be taken to prevent any possible negative effects on the tourist sectors ahead of the new holiday season.

(EA)

[07] Survey on Turkish foreign policy shows that Turks are not interested in the Cyprus problem

According to the results, only 2.8% of the population considers Cyprus to be among the top priorities of the issues included in Turkish foreign policy agenda. The paper writes that 97.2% of the population do not bring the Cyprus problem into mind when reference to the Turkish foreign policy is made. Haberdar reports that 55.3% of the participants in the survey said they are in favour of the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey under certain conditions. According to their responses 40.7% said this condition should be the solution of the Cyprus problem and 14.6% Turkeys accession to the EU.

Upon a question on how they evaluate the illegal regime, the great majority of the participants in the survey (56%), described Turkey as a motherland that will never abandon Cyprus, 14.9% said the occupied part of Cyprus is a hump in the back of Turkey, 10.8% considers the illegal regime as not being an influential element in Turkish foreign policy and 6.3% said the occupied part of Cyprus is a concession which could be given in return to the accession of Turkey to the EU.

Moreover, 28% of the population believes that priority in Turkish foreign policy should be given to the relations with the EU, 27.7% to the fight against terrorism, 15.8% to Turkeys relations with Armenia, 9.9% to Turkeys relations with the United States, 7% to the relations with the Islamic countries, 3.9% to the relations with Iraq, 2.8% to relations with Cyprus, 1.8% to the relations with the Turkic republics and 0.5% to the relations with the Russian Federation.

Regarding EU, 55.3% supports Turkeys membership in the European Union. Yet, 32.8% of those supporting Turkeys membership believe that Turkey will never join the EU. At the same time, 28.9% perceives Turkey as being a European country. Moreover, European Union was also the answer given by the majority of the sample when it was called to reply what it considers to be the top priority of the Turkish foreign policy during the last period.

According to the results of the survey, 32.4% considers the difference in religion and identity to be the greatest problem between Turkey and the EU. As for the rest issues identified as problems, the Cyprus problem comes second with 15.8%, Turkeys economic situation comes third with 14.4%, democracy and human rights are fourth in the list with 10.7%, while population density is last in the list with 7.2%.

(ML)

[08] Turkey expects the U.S. Administration to exert efforts against Armenian resolution

Ahead of the March 4 vote in the U.S. House foreign affairs committee regarding a resolution on Armenian allegations related to the incidents of 1915, Turkey expects Obama administration to exert more efforts against the resolution.

A group of Turkish lawmakers arrived in Washington D.C. on Monday to meet with U.S. Congressmen to lobby against the resolution. Turkish lawmakers led by Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Murat Mercan voiced their expectations from the U.S. administration at a press conference in Washington D.C.. Mercan said that the resolution would not serve the interests of Turkey and the United States. He said the resolution would harm bilateral relations.

In 2007, the U.S. committee approved a similar resolution 27-21, even though the former U.S. president George W. Bush and other key figures from the U.S. administration lobbied against it.

"National assemblies can never make a decision or a judgment on so-called genocide. This is, of course, a decision that international courts can make," Mercan told reporters.

Another Turkish lawmaker Sukru Elekdag, who is also a former Turkish ambassador to United States, said that U.S. administration should not lose Turkish people's trust.

"What we will tell our interlocutors is 'do not lose this trust'. And this is not an empty talk," Elekdag said.

[09] Heron UAVs finally arrive in Turkey

According to Todays Zaman, forty-five Turkish pilots from the Turkish Air Forces Command have received training on UAVs so that piloting requirements for the Heron UAVs will be met locally. Turkish technicians have also learned how to carry out the maintenance work on the Herons.

[10] TRT-Turks office was opened in Damascus by Turkish Minister Arinc

Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc attended a ceremony in which the Damascus office of TRT-Turk was opened on Monday.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Arinc said that relations between Turkey and Syria showed great development in the past decade. We have made important progress in relations in the media and information fields, Arinc said. TRT-Turk's Damascus office displays the importance Turkey attaches to Syria, one of the most important countries in the region, Arinc stressed.

In response to a question on Turkey's mediatory role between Syria and Israel, Minister Arinc underlined that Syria had confidence in Turkey as a mediator.

During our talks with Syrian dignitaries, we have been told that various countries, including France, Switzerland and Germany proposed to act as mediator between Syria and Israel. However, Mr. al-Asad informed such countries that Syria had full confidence in Turkey as a mediator between Syria and Israel, Arinc emphasized.

Turkey is a country that is highly trusted in issues such as Israel-Palestine, Israel-Syria, Syria-Lebanon, Lebanon-Israel. I must note here that Turkey's multi-dimensional foreign policy and its close relations with neighboring countries and countries in the region are crucial for peace and stability, Arinc indicated.

Turkey's (foreign) policies implemented in the past 5-6 years have not only strengthened Syria and Turkey but also regional peace. Turkey's approach to the Palestinian issue and its reaction to the incidents in Gaza are matters that were highly respected by individuals aged from 7 to 70 in Syria. Whichever restaurant you visit in Syria, you can see the posters and pictures of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Everyone respects Turkey's policies, Arinc also said.

[11] Military Prosecutor relaunches investigation into alleged plot to topple government

Turkish General Staff announced that military prosecutors relaunched the investigation into an alleged plot to topple the government known as, "the action plan to fight with reactionism."

In a statement posted in its official website on Monday evening, Turkish General Staff said, in the light of new evidence that could prove the alleged document was indeed drafted by Colonel Dursun Cicek, the military prosecutor's office relaunched the investigation.

The alleged plot which was brought to agenda in June 2009 with a news story published in a daily newspaper, had caused wide controversy and Col. Cicek was prosecuted and was arrested and released twice.

The Military Prosecutor's office also had looked into the allegations, but decided not to further investigate due to lack of evidence.

General Staff said in its statement Monday evening that the Military Prosecutor's office interrogated Col. Cicek once again and asked the General Staff Court Martial to arrest suspect Cicek. Court Martial rejected the prosecutor's demand.

In the statement General Staff referred to an earlier statement made by the Chief of Staff when the military prosecutor's office decided not to further investigate the allegations for lack of evidence, which pointed out that Turkey was a state of law, and the investigation could be launched if new evidence was found.

General Staff underlined that the investigation was underway and called on everyone to respect the process and the presumption of innocence.

The alleged plot is also closely linked with the recent arrest of Erzincan Prosecutor Ilhan Cihaner, as the prosecutors claim that the plot was put into practice in Erzincan.

Cihaner was carrying out an investigation several months ago against a religious congregation for alleged unlawful religious education of little children.

Turkish daily newspaper Taraf published in June 2009, a plot document allegedly drafted and signed by Col. Cicek at the General Staff Headquarters in Ankara, outlining the alleged military plan to smear Justice and Development (AK) Party government and the Fethullah Gulen congregation.

The news story caused wide controversy and stirred heated debates in Turkey which lasted for months.

The ruling Justice and Development Party filed a criminal complaint regarding allegations and carried the issue to court.

Col.Cicek was arrested shortly after then by a civil court, upon the demand of the Ergenekon prosecutors, but was released shortly after as his lawyer appealed his arrest.

Forensic examinations suggested that the signature on the photocopy of the said document belonged to Col. Cicek.

The Military Prosecutors investigated into allegations and decided not to launch prosecution regarding allegations as they concluded that the document was not drafted at General Staff Headquarters, and such a document did not exist.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug reacted strongly to allegations and severely criticized news reports over an alleged anti-government plot document as part of "a campaign to smear the armed forces."

Discussions in the media centered around whether or not a photocopy could be legally a valid piece of evidence.

Soon the debates would cool-off, and the alleged plot document be nearly forgotten, until three and a half months ago, when a letter sent by an anonymous military officer reached the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's office.

The letter which was claimed to contain the original copy of the document with wet signature brought back the issue high on the agenda.

Nearly a dozen of officers, soldiers, and civilian personnel were interrogated by the Ergenekon prosecutors since then.

EG/

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