Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-07-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Talat held contacts in London.

[02] AFRIKA writes that Talat is against the transfer of the occupation army's powers to the pseudostate-Akinci accused him of being in contrast with the will of the Turkish Cypriots.

[03] The Republican Turkish Party replies to criticism over the formation of a new so-called government.

[04] Serdar Denktas asks from the EU to recognize the illegal Turkish Cypriot state.

[05] Gul expects developments to take place in August as regards the lifting of the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots.

[06] Turkish HURRIYET discloses the measures of the EU towards the Turkish Cypriots.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mr Talat held contacts in London

Mr Talat said that his country should be effective when Britain and the United States were setting their Cyprus policies.

Talat noted: ''The Greek Cypriots are punishing Turkish Cypriots with their own votes, and leaving Turkish Cypriots outside the EU (European Union). We should be active at this stage. We should be active and contribute to a policy to be set within the framework of new parameters. But, if we can't take the steps to provide changes within the framework of these new parameters, we can never manage to change anything. Because, the Greek Cypriot side is the legal government of Cyprus. We are after changing this, and we will exert efforts to change it.''

Mr Talat said he would exert efforts to develop free trade in the occupied areas, direct exports and direct flights from and to the occupied areas.

Mr Talat invited foreign investors to the occupied areas, and said that touristic investments boomed recently.

Mr Talat said that his "country" had not lost its solution mission, but would never accept renegotiating the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus plan.

"The International community refrained from recognizing `TRNCī since it thought that this would create lasting division", Talat pointed out and added:

''Recognition is a process in which one state tells the other that it wants to establish international relationship with it. Turkey is recognizing us. And, no other country is recognizing us because the world system doesn't allow it. This is the point. Anyway, if `TRNCī is recognized, the problem will continue. Because, there are problems like property and free movement. And, these problems have both legal and political dimensions.''

Mr Talat, who visited London as the official guest of British Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jack Straw, earlier held a press conference in which he said that isolation of Turkish Cypriots would end step by step.

Talat is expected to meet with Straw and have some meetings at the parliament on Thursday.

Moreover Ankara TRT 2 Television (01.07.04) broadcast that Mr Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the British Ministers have promised to support the effort made to lift the policy of isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. Talat asserted that Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and British Minister for Europe Dennis McShane responded favorably to his call for the removal of the policy of isolation against the Turkish Cypriots.

Talat held talks with Straw and McShane in the British Parliament. He recalled that the Turkish Cypriots made a strenuous effort for the solution of the Cyprus problem and said: "They responded positively to our call for an effort to remove the policy of isolation against the Turkish Cypriots. We held very positive and constructive talks."

Stressing that the EU Commission maintains its work on the question of free trade with the occupied areas of Cyprus, Talat asserted that they expect a concrete development on 7 July.

[02] AFRIKA writes that Talat is against the transfer of the occupation army's powers to the pseudostate-Akinci accused him of being in contrast with the will of the Turkish Cypriots

As the paper writes, Mr Talat, who met in London with Turkish Cypriots who live in the British capital, was asked why he does not agree so that the "police" in the pseudostate, which is currently under the army, to be tied up with the so-called Ministry of Interior. Mr Talat said that Turkey is responsible for every issue as regards the buffer zone. "This subject will be solved step-by-step. Nobody should worry about it", he said.

In addition, the leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement (PDM), Mr Mustafa Akinci, stated that Talat started early to be in contrast with the Turkish Cypriots. "The leaders are created only by the societies. Not because someone else said so", stated Mr Akinci who called on Mr Talat to resign from his "post". In addition, the leader of the PDM denied the rumours spread by Kutlay Erk that his party did not come into agreement for establishing a pseudogovernment because he wanted the position of the "Minister" of Foreign Affairs.

[03] The Republican Turkish Party replies to criticism over the formation of a new so-called government

Soyer said that calling for early elections was the only alternative the RTP had under the existing conditions and noted that they will appeal to the Republican Assembly when Mr Mehmet Ali Talat returns to Cyprus. Stressing that making a new effort to establish a coalition would be meaningless, Soyer explained why they do not plan to make a new initiative. He sharply refuted PDM leader Mustafa Akinci's criticism against the RTP and recalled that a certain point had been reached in the talks that were held to establish a tripartite coalition. However, he said that the PDM unexpectedly withdrew from the talks and noted that the reasons it gave for its decision to do so were meaningless and inconsistent. Asserting that Mustafa Akinci put forward his demands related to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the first meeting they had, Soyer said: "The future of the community cannot be put at risk for the sake of anyone who is concerned only with the position he might get."

Soyer distributed the draft coalition protocol that was drawn up on the basis of the agreement the three parties reached on matters other than those related to the distribution of the ministries. He said: "Where have we failed to agree? That is what I cannot understand. The protocol covers everything, including matters related to the civilianization and democratization of the community, the transfer of the administration of the police organization to the civilian authority, and the will expressed by the community after 24 April."

Soyer read out the provisions of the draft protocol to substantiate his views.

Refuting Mustafa Akinci's criticism, Soyer stressed that his party made a significant effort to solve the government problem and held official and unofficial talks to that effect. Asserting that no one can tango without a partner, he said that all the political parties were obliged to make an effort for the establishment of a government that would be supported by 26 deputies. Accusing Mustafa Akinci of causing the government problem, Soyer said that his party adopted a negative approach on the establishment of an administration with the Communal Liberation Party [CLP], the Unified Alliance for Freedom, and the PDM because of the statement made by two of the former Democratic Party deputies that they plan to establish a political party in the future. Soyer asserted: "Those who failed to keep the PDM united after 24 April do not have the right to accuse us of maintaining an irresponsible approach."

[04] Serdar Denktas asks from the EU to recognize the illegal Turkish Cypriot state

In statements to the Austrian "Kurier" newspaper, Mr Denktas claimed that the only way to solve the problem on the island is to recognize both sides and give them the right to jointly represent Cyprus in the EU.

[05] Gul expects developments to take place in August as regards the lifting of the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots

Speaking in a televised interview with CNN Turk, the Turkish Foreign Minister pointed to the most recent positive developments in the direction of the abolition of the "isolation", and gave the examples of the decision to increase the number of the so-called TRNC representatives' offices in the United States; the visits paid to the pseudostate by cabinet ministers from a number of countries; and the meeting in London between Mr Mehmet Ali Talat and the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Referring to the European Commission's expected unveiling of a package of measures this month aimed at ending the Turkish Cypriots' economic "isolation", Mr Gul said he believes more developments in the same direction will take place this month, but much more in August.

[06] Turkish HURRIYET discloses the measures of the EU towards the Turkish Cypriots

The package of the draft-proposal, notes HURRIYET, consist of seven pages and with it "the Greek Cypriots are by-passed and the way for direct trade with the "TRNC" is opened".

The basis of the draft-proposal is article 133 of the EU agreement, which provides for trade with the third countries and does not require unanimity for taking decisions.

According to the paper, the package contains the following provisions: 1) The trade with the EU will be conducted between the Commission of the EU and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC). In case of a disagreement, the Commission could postpone the trade. Goods produced only in the occupied areas of Cyprus could be exported to the EU.

2) Living animals will not be exported to the EU until the health control in the occupied areas of Cyprus reaches the EU standards. The health control of fruits and vegetables will be conducted by officials of the TCCC in cooperation with the Commission.

3) The 259 million euros promised to the Turkish Cypriots will be given for projects through the office of the EU which is expected to be opened in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

/SK

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