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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-04-27
From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>
TURKISH PRESS
AND OTHER MEDIA
No.77/04
27.04.04
[A] NEWS ITEMS
[01] The National Security Council of Turkey convened and examined the
latest developments after the referenda results in Cyprus.
[02] Efforts by Turkey to disclaim responsibility for its crimes in Cyprus
after the 24 April referenda results.
[03] Denktas states that the ruling Justice and Development Party made "a
good manoeuvre" as regards the Cyprus problem.
[04] Two "deputies" of the Democratic Party, one of the two partners of
the "coalition government" of the occupation regime resigned.
[05] New manoeuvre on the property issue by the Turkish side which is
waiting for the Americans to punish the Greek Cypriots and deal the last
blow to President Papadopoulos.
[A} NEWS ITEMS
[01] The National Security Council of Turkey convened and examined the
latest developments after the referenda results in Cyprus
TRT 2 television station (26.04.04) broadcast that the National Security
Council (NSC) of Turkey convened yesterday in order to evaluate the
latest developments as regards the Cyprus problem after the results of
the 24 April referenda.
The National Security Council has convened and issued the following
statement:
"The NSC conducted a detailed assessment into the new situation that
emerged after the Greek Cypriot side rejected the Annan Plan, which was
launched by Turkey, supported by the United Nations, the United States,
and the EU, and held to a referendum on 24 April 2004 in a bid to secure
a just and lasting solution in Cyprus.
A conflicting and unfair situation emerged because the Greek Cypriot
side, whose overwhelming majority voted against a most comprehensive
solution plan described as balanced and viable by both the United
Nations and the EU, will become a full EU member on 1 May 2004 while the
Turkish Cypriot side, which voted in favor of the referendum, will be
left out.
The NSC calls on international organizations and states to take into
serious consideration the will displayed by Turkey and the Turkish
Cypriot people toward a solution and the necessity of keeping the
promises to lift the restrictions imposed on the `TRNCī and undertake
some political, economic, and social improvements.
The NSC stresses once again that it considers the attitude displayed
during the work under way for the referendum as efforts to find the
truth and notes that Turkey's responsibility to the `TRNCī and the
unity, togetherness, and solidarity of the Turkish people have gained
even more importance today."
[02] Efforts by Turkey to disclaim responsibility for its crimes in Cyprus
after the 24 April referenda results
TRT 2 television station (26.04.04) broadcast that the Turkish Council
of Ministers met yesterday in order to discuss the latest developments
in the Cyprus problem after the 24 April referenda.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Cemil Cicek, the Turkish Government
spokesman and Justice Minister, said that an opportunity has been lost
for the solution of the Cyprus problem and blame the Greek Cypriot side
for this development. He also said that a new situation has been created
in Cyprus with the referenda and that the international community and
all the concerned institutions must make the correct diagnosis of the
situation that has emerged. He also stated that the result of the
referendum has shown that the Greek Cypriot side is opposed to a new
partnership, to coexistence or agreement with the Turkish Cypriots, or
to join the EU together with them.
He said that at this stage the Turkish side demands that the Greek
Cypriot political leadership and the international community "first lift
the embargo and restrictions on the Turkish Cypriots" and added that
"nobody has the right to further isolate the Turkish Cypriots in the
international scene after the referenda results".
A journalist told Mr Cicek that certain EU circles are saying that it is
exaggerated to say that the Turkish side did its bit completely and
that Turkey should withdraw some of its troops from the island, even if
symbolically, and that it should recognize the Republic of Cyprus.
Commenting on this remark, Mr Cicek said that nobody should
underestimate the outcome of the referendum because both the pseudostate
and Turkey did all they could. "All those who made promises before the
referendum must fulfil their promises. There is no need to come up with
pretexts; the real picture is out there for everyone to see. If certain
circles do not want to accept it they must say it openly. It is
meaningless to set conditions after the fact, or to make such
interpretations. We believe that we did our bit. The Turkish Cypriots
made the efforts they needed to make, and produced a positive outcome.
Everybody must accept this fact", he said.
[03] Denktas states that the ruling Justice and Development Party made "a
good manoeuvre" as regards the Cyprus problem
Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.04.04) broadcast that the Turkish
Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas stated that the Turkish Government played
its role very well as regards the Cyprus problem and stated that "it
made a good manoeuvre".
"Turkey did all it could to reach a settlement. I hope that the world
and the EU will see it as such. The sincerity and credibility of those
who promised us sweets will soon be proven'The Justice and Development
Party Government played its role very well. It displayed its sincerity.
It did what it believed to be the right thing at the cost of
contradicting us in certain matters. That was a good thing. It is
understood now that it was a good manoeuvre", he said.
Mr Denktas also said that the referenda results left him with a sense of
relief. "I am not tired, I am not sad. I have the peace of mind that
comes when a great load is taken off you," he said.
Asked to comment on the call of certain circles for him to resign, Mr
Denktas said that it was wrong to call on him to resign by "interpreting
the referendum as a referendum on Denktas". "Until today, the EU always
saw me as the obstacle before a settlement. I know the Greek Cypriots,
the EU does not. The EU is saying that it is disappointed by the Greek
Cypriots. I am not. If an agreement is going to be reached that will
eliminate the 'TRNC', then I need to resign. As long as the 'TRNC'
exists, however, and until my term expires, I have the duty to sign an
agreement that will protect the 'TRNC'", he said.
Asked to comment on the reports that certain steps may be taken in
favour of the pseudostate, now that the Greek Cypriots voted "no" in the
referendum, Denktas replied that those promises will be tested in 24
hours, or 48 or 72 hours.
Denktas claimed that "the Greek Cypriots want to undermine Turkey within
the EU by means of vetoes, and to take from Turkey tomorrow what they
cannot take from it today."
Asked if the Annan Plan is dead, Denktas recalled that Abdullah Gul,
Turkish Foreign Minister and deputy Prime Minister, said in clear terms
that "this plan can no longer be a subject of negotiation".
"I had killed the Annan plan once. They resurrected it, like Jesus. I do
not think it can be resurrected again", Denktas stated. To the question
on whether a second referendum is possible, Denktas replied: "There is
no such thing."
4. Two "deputies" of the Democratic Party, one of the two partners of
the "coalition government" of the occupation regime resigned
NTV television station (26.04.04) broadcast that the so-called coalition
government of the pseudostate has become a minority "government" after
two "deputies", Mr Ahmet Kasif and Mr Unal Ustel from the Democratic
Party [DP] of Serdar Denktas have resigned. Kasif and Ustel who said
that they will not be supporting the coalition government were earlier
referred to the Disciplinary Council of DP. The resigning "deputies" are
supported by eight Party Council members, who were also referred to the
Party's Disciplinary Council. With the resignation of Kasif and Ustel,
the number of DP "deputies" has decreased to five and the so-called
coalition government's number of seats in the "assembly" has decreased
to 24.
In addition, as TRT 2 television station (26.04.04) broadcast, Mr Serdar
Denktas commented on this development and stated that it creates
difficulties. "The number of seats has decreased to 24 in the 50-seat
'assembly'. Naturally, there is some difficulty'.. At this stage,
however, there is one thing that I will not resort to, and that is to
adopt a stand aimed at obstructing a policy that should be conducted and
steps that should be taken outside the party. We cannot lose any time.
We have about a month, at the most a month and a half. We, as a party,
will make every kind of self sacrifice to ensure the continuation of
these steps and the process that has been initiated within this period
even if this entails forming another government. We, in no way, have
the right to deprive the Turkish Cypriots of this", he said.
[05] New manoeuvre on the property issue by the Turkish side which is
waiting for the Americans to punish the Greek Cypriots and deal the last
blow to President Papadopoulos
Basaran Duzgun, editor-in-chief of Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS
newspaper (27.04.04), writes that the Turkish side is working on the
unilateral application of the Annan Plan, especially on the property
issue, aiming at closing the door of the European Court of Justice to
all Greek Cypriot refugees who may want to appeal claiming their rights,
which are violated since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Mr Duzgun notes that on his return from Brussels, Mr Talat will stop in
Ankara and have meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Gul,
with whom he is expected to discuss the situation in Cyprus after the
referenda and the steps the Turkish sides needs to take.
Mr Duzgun, reports, inter alia, the following:
"'The Turkish side is working on realizing unilaterally the Annan Plan.
It is planned that the regime regarding properties in the Annan Plan is
applied as it is. The Greek Cypriot administration, after becoming a
full member of the EU on 1 May, will try to get both Turkey and the
Turkish Cypriots convicted with cases similar to the Loizidou case. In
order to prevent this, the Turkish side will enforce the proprietorship
regime of the Annan Plan and say to the Greek Cypriots: 'come you can
take your property'.
Those Greek Cypriots who wish to do this will take the one third of
their property and get a compensation for the rest. Those who have any
objections may appeal to the properties commission established in
northern Cyprus. In this manner, the way for the Greek Cypriots towards
the European Court of Justice will be closed.
At the Ankara summit, the issue of 'Denktas' (father and son), which
concerns the government in Ankara, will also be discussed. According to
information leaked from the political back scene, Ankara is very
concerned with the behaviour and the statements of Rauf Denktas and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs Serdar Denktas. There is the fear that the
statements made by Rauf Denktas after the referendum, will waste the
benefits gained by the Turkish side with great effort. 'The government
of Turkey will try to get rid of Denktas quietly.
The information that the US Secretary of State Collin Powell is prepared
to invite Prime Minister Talat to Washington was published yesterday in
KIBRIS and caused great activity in all circles. '
The official invitation has not yet been sent. The reason for this is
the preparation of the American administration. The American
administration is discussing the steps that it will make towards
northern Cyprus. As soon as this preparation is completed, Talat will
officially be invited to Washington and the Americans will deal their
last blow. They were saying that the Greek Cypriot administration will
pay a price for the no campaign it had conducted. This will be the last
blow to Papadopoulos. '
We are going to be in Brussels and in Ankara, but our attention will be
in Washington. Our diplomatic sources say: 'After the steps to be made
by the Bush administration, the Greek Cypriot side may accept a second
referendum'. '".
/SK
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