Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-01-25

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish General says that Turkey will not withdraw from Cyprus even a single soldier before "a final and lasting agreement.

[02] Mr Talat will meet EU officials in Brussels.

[03] Erdogan met with Eroglu and Akinci.

[04] The final list of the "candidates" for the so-called parliamentary elections.

[05] Turkish Land Forces Commander to inspect the Turkish troops in occupied Cyprus.

[06] Mr Ozdil Nami: "It is the first concrete step for lifting the political isolation".

[07] A committee of the so-called Assembly will attend a meeting of the OIC.

[08] The EU Commission reminds Turkey that it must sign the Ankara agreement with the Republic of Cyprus before starting the accession negotiations.

[09] Hikmet Oruc, the fifth suspect for the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family, was arrested by the occupation regime.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] The Turkish press has already started to count on the gains for Turkey in a possible US attack against Iran.

[11] "The first illegal election on EU territory".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish General says that Turkey will not withdraw from Cyprus even a single soldier before "a final and lasting agreement"

General Buyukkanit, who is visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus, said: "Not even a single soldier will leave from here before a final and lasting agreement is achieved".

In statements during his meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas, General Buyukkanit argued today that they wish a lasting peace to be achieved in Cyprus, but he added that the form of peace is also important.

The Turkish General concluded: "Something which today seems lasting tomorrow might change. We, as army, are having our armed forces on the island of Cyprus for the security of the Turkish Cypriots, taking strength by the agreements. Before a final and lasting agreement, not even a single soldier will go from here".

[02] Mr Talat will meet EU officials in Brussels

According to a press release issued by his office, Talat will meet EU Commissioner in charge of Enlargement, Mr Oli 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, in Brussels.

Mr Talat will be accompanied in Brussels by the so-called Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Mr Rasit Pertev. Talat will return to the occupied area of Cyprus on January 27th.

[03] Erdogan met with Eroglu and Akinci

The meeting between Mr Erdogan and Mr Mustafa Akinci lasted for nearly 30 minutes. In a press conference after the meeting Mr Akinci stated that he discussed the Cyprus problem and what could be done in the near future.

Mr Akinci said: ''October 3, 2005 is an important date for Turkey. Turkey may have to re-adapt the Ankara protocol until October 3. Two 'elections' will take place in the 'TRNC' until October 3. As PDM, we will pursue an active policy''. Akinci added that the PDM does not want to see the issue of Cyprus as an obstacle for Turkey in its relations with the EU. ''We do not want to see the issue of Cyprus as a topic that causes headache for Turkey. We understand that Erdogan is a staunch supporter of pursuing active policy and is in favour of continuing discussions without withdrawing from the negotiation table.''

Asked if the Turkish Prime Minister provided a date for the beginning of negotiations, Akinci said: "The negotiations will be started by the United Nations. The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's report has not been voted at the Security Council yet. The Russian Federation has a big responsibility in the acceptance of the plan. However, the base made possible by the Annan Plan should not be removed. If the base is removed, this could take us back to the stage even before 1960''.

''The civilian authority's influence must increase in the 'TRNC' in the new period and the Copenhagen criteria must be applied in the 'TRNC'. These developments will contribute to finding a solution in Cyprus,'' Akinci noted.

Noting examples of active policy, Akinci said that the clearance of the landmines, the opening and the gradual settlement of the closed area of Varosha, could be asked as exchange of the opening of the occupied airport of Tymbou for international flights.

On his part, in a press conference, Eroglu said that he discussed the upcoming so-called elections with the Prime Minister Mr Erdogan.

Replying to a question on whether the Prime Minister will make a new initiative in Davos for the beginning of negotiations, Eroglu said: ''The Prime Minister told me that he would meet several individuals in Davos. We had a short discussion on this topic.''

Asked whether there have been any changes on his thoughts pertaining to the Annan Plan, Eroglu replied that now is not the right time to discuss the Annan Plan. ''Negotiations will begin. All sides will bring suggestions. There will be a new group of suggestions. The suggestions are more important than the name of the plan itself. We will seek an agreement which would not hurt the interests of the Turkish Cypriots and the rights of the 'TRNC','' noted Eroglu.

In response to a question reminding him about the NUP's stance during the referenda on the Annan Plan, Eroglu stated that they opposed certain parts of the Annan Plan and added: ''We were never against a solution. The NUP's Cyprus policies are in harmony with that of the Turkish government. We insisted on changing 5-6 articles of the Annan Plan. Since no changes were made, we said 'no' to the plan. We are now in a new period. We are actively seeking for a solution in Cyprus. We opposed the plan, especially vis-à-vis topics on the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus, the issue of immigrants and settlers that arrived from Turkey. Nevertheless, 65 percent of our citizens voted 'yes' in the referendum. We have high respect for the decision of our people. We will pursue a policy in accordance with the result of the referendum''.

Recalling their cooperation with the Turkish Government on the Cyprus problem since 1977, he finally said: "We will continue to cooperate with the Turkish Government regardless of whether or not we are in power."

[04] The final list of the "candidates" for the so-called parliamentary elections

Six candidates have been excluded from the list for the first time in the Turkish Cypriot side's political life. All of them are Nationalist Justice Party (NJP) members. They will not be able to participate in the "elections" because of their failure to submit their "consent and ratification" documents to the district election councils.

The names of the three New Party (NP) candidates, who disclosed after the NP list of candidates was submitted to the Higher Election Council (HEC) that they decided not to run in the elections, will appear on the final list. According to the so-called law, their names will appear on the ballots. However, the candidates listed next to them will have their votes if they are elected.

According to the final HEC list, seven political parties and two independent candidates will participate in the "elections". The National Unity Party (NUP), Republican Turkish Party (RTP), Democratic Party (DP), Peace and Democracy Movement (PDM), Communal Liberation Party (CLP), and NP will participate in the "elections" with 50 candidates each in five districts. The NJP will participate in the "elections" with 44 candidates because six of its candidates have been excluded from the ballots.

Two independent candidates from the occupied districts of Kyrenia and Morphou will participate in the elections in accordance with the final "HEC" decision. Some 346 candidates will compete for the seats in the so-called Republican Assembly on 20 February.

According to the election calendar, the propaganda campaign will begin tomorrow. Posters will be put up, propaganda speeches will be made, and meetings will be organized during the campaign, which will create an election atmosphere.

Some 16 so-called deputies will be elected from Nicosia, 13 from Famagusta, 9 from Kyrenia, 7 from Morphou, and 5 from Trikomo for the so-called 50-member Republican Assembly during the early "elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus on 20 February.

[05] Turkish Land Forces Commander to inspect the Turkish troops in occupied Cyprus

The KTBK stated that Gen. Buyukanit would be received by "TRNC President" Rauf Denktas, "Parliament Speaker" Fatma Ekenoglu, "Prime Minister" Mehmet Ali Talat and meet Turkey's "Ambassador" to "TRNC" Aydan Karahan.

Buyukanit, who will visit martyrs' cemetery and see the military units under the command of KTBK, will depart from the occupied areas of Cyprus on Friday (January 28th).

[06] Mr Ozdil Nami: "It is the first concrete step for lifting the political isolation"

"'Deputies' from the 'TRNC' have attended the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) for the first time in decades.

'TRNC' is represented by the Republican Turkish Party (RTP) 'deputy' Ozdil Nami and National Unity Party (NUP) 'deputy' Huseyin Ozgurgun during discussions that will continue for a week.

In an exclusive interview with the Anatolia News Agency (AA) prior to the general assembly, Nami stated: "Our participation in the PACE meetings is the first solid step toward ending the political isolation of the Turkish Cypriots after the UN referendum".

''We are calling the UN, EU and Council of Europe countries to follow the step taken by PACE and bring an end to the political and economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots,'' said Nami. ''The end of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots will bring a solution to the Cyprus problem.''

NUP 'deputy' Ozgurgun has remarked that the Greek Cypriots can not represent the whole of Cyprus and said: ''The EU, US and UN have promised that they would not disregard the 'yes' vote of the Turkish Cypriots to the Annan Plan. Now, it is time for all parties to keep their promises. Our 'deputies' will be able to attend and speak in the general assembly, political group and commission meetings."

After the Greek Cypriots voted 'no' to the Annan Plan, PACE decided to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots last year.

The PACE Presidency adopted a decision last year to enable TRNC's representation possible by two 'deputies' who will attend all general assembly and commission meetings without participating in votings.

The Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities also adopted a similar decision on the 'TRNC'."

[07] A committee of the so-called Assembly will attend a meeting of the OIC

The "Assembly committee" will be consisted of the so-called RTP's deputy Gulboy Beytagli, the so-called NUP's deputy Huseyin Ozgurgun and the so-called responsible for foreign affairs Seyit Yolak.

[08] The EU Commission reminds Turkey that it must sign the Ankara agreement with the Republic of Cyprus before starting the accession negotiations

In the official document the EU reminds Turkey that it must sign the supplementary protocol of the Ankara Agreement before starting the accession negotiations with the EU and that it must sign the protocol also with the Republic of Cyprus, which is among the sixteen members of the EU.

The paper, which writes that this issue creates uneasiness to Ankara, notes that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not given an answer yet to the official document. However, the paper writes, invoking diplomatic sources, that a letter will be sent to the EU with Turkey's scruples as regards this issue. In the letter it will be written that Turkey does not recognise the "Greek Cypriot sector" under the name of the Republic of Cyprus, but as "Greek Cypriot sector" like in previous agreements in which it was a part of the sides that signed the agreements.

[09] Hikmet Oruc, the fifth suspect for the murder of the Guzelyurtlu family, was arrested by the occupation regime

As the paper writes, Hikmet Oruc, who was wanted both by the police of the Republic of Cyprus and by the pseudo policy, since it was believed to have a connection with the crime, was arrested yesterday upon his return to the occupied areas. Oruc stated that he was on holiday in Turkey but hearing that they were looking for him he stopped his vacations and returned to the pseudostate in order to testify, but was arrested immediately.

The paper writes that the four persons that were arrested as suspects for the crime, were put into custody for three more days. However, it writes that the suspects may be set free "because the Greek Cypriot police does not give the evidence of the murder to the 'TRNC'", as it alleged.

Subsequently, Mr Mustafa Bulent Asena, the lawyer of the other four suspects saying that the pseudo police has not any evidence as regards the issue in its hands, stated that the suspects must be handed over to the side that has the evidence. He said that it is the Greek side that must conduct the investigations and added that the suspects must be tried in a Court of the Republic of Cyprus. "We are ready to be sent to 'North Cyprus'", he said and objected to the fact that his clients are continuing to be under arrest by the pseudo police.

In addition, as Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper reports (25.01.05), Mr Hikmet Oruc thinking that Interpol was after him, preferred to return to occupied Cyprus and to surrender.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] The Turkish press has already started to count on the gains for Turkey in a possible US attack against Iran

"Will Bush Attack Iran?

If you ask me, Bush will attack Iran. That will create a serious problem in the world, particularly in the Middle East where Turkey is a part of its geographical structure. I was more optimistic on the matter until yesterday. I became less optimistic after I saw the photographs depicting the swearing in ceremony held for Bush's second term in office.

It will be recalled that the problem of Iraq began with the questions that were asked in connection with whether or not the United States would attack Iraq. We all saw what happened in the end. Bush outlined his reasons and then attacked. He admitted that they were wrong when everything ended.

No you are wrong. His face did not redden'

Wondering as much as we did, one of the newspapers in Austria, the Die Presse, published an article after the elections in the United States entitled: "Will He Adopt a Reasonable Approach or Maintain His Hard Line Policy?" The American people and the foreign countries did not have to wait for a long time for the question to be answered. George W. Bush clearly outlined his targets after Iraq: Iran, the DPRK, and Zimbabwe.

Syria was not on his list. It was forgiven in one way or another.

Does Turkey hold a card on Iran?

Yes, it can be said that it does so. However, can it be expected to use it?

That is a possibility that must be considered. But, its advantages and disadvantages must be laid out on the table' In other words, the possible developments that might take place if Turkey refuses to hold talks - as in the case of the intervention in Iraq - have to be studied.

First of all, Iran is not a country like Iraq. Regardless of whether it is ruled by a monarchy or the mullahs, the Iranians have deeply rooted experience in the administration of the country. That is the secret behind the Iranian officials' success in preventing the fragmentation of Iran, which is a mosaic of peoples.

However, Iran's mosaic structure can be viewed as that country's weak point, particularly by those who might plan to involve Turkey in their ambitions. The people of Persian origin are a minority in the country. Some 30 million people of Turkic origin live in Iran. The Turkic population is made up of nearly 25 million Azeri, 3 million Turkoman, and 1.5 million Kashkai and Hallac peoples.

The potential advantages of Turkey as an ally cannot be ignored in an operation against Iran. Turkey will definitely be approached if George W. Bush prefers to launch a ground operation to remove the existing regime and set up a pro-Western administration in that country, instead of trying to achieve his objective through precision bombing of targets.

Subtitle: Advantages and disadvantages

I am one of those who believe that Turkey's involvement in an attack on Iran, which would seem as an advantageous venture in the short term, will prove to be a disadvantageous initiative in the medium and long term. In fact, Turkey might even be left out right at the very beginning. The reason for that is simple. The United States and its natural ally [Britain] will consider the following: Southern Azerbaijan, the capital of which is Tabriz, is the heart of the oil region in Iran. It also has rich natural gas resources. Think about the possibility of the area becoming independent. In fact, also think about the possibility of the area joining Azerbaijan in the north, which has a population of 8 million people. They will have a population of 35 million people and very rich oil resources.

Furthermore, think about the possibility of the 35 million Azeris deciding to join Turkey. Turkey would then become a gigantic country with a population of 100 million people. It will have solved its energy problems. The balances in the world would change.

But, that would be impossible. No one would allow that to happen. That can be viewed only as only wishful thinking.

What makes me worried is something else. Nuclear arms will not be found in Iran in the end but that country will suffer from bombs, attacks, and death.

Meanwhile, I seriously wonder how Pax-Americana will solve the problem of Turkey".

[11] "The first illegal election on EU territory"

"The fact that Serdar, Talat, Eroglu and Akinci have one by one gone before Erdogan did not escape the attention of the community. This fact reduced even more the interest towards the elections and strengthened the belief regarding Turkey's interference. The fact that Erdogan accepted all the four party leaders does not show that he keeps equal distance from everyone. Accepting someone is one thing and supporting him is something else. Furthermore, if Erdogan rejected the demand for a meeting which came from the others after the official visit of Serdar, too much confusion would be created.

The picture is clear and obvious. Those whom we have before us have entered a competition of taking authority from Turkey. The concern of being able to be kept in the parliament has caused a lack of personality in the parties. In this competition no one cares about the community. Everybody thinks only about himself and about sitting on that blessed chair another five years. Moreover, the salary is not bad. It is five billion (Turkish) liras. It is almost equal with the salary of those in the south. It seems that those who will vote in these stupid elections are so few that someone can count them on the fingers of his hand. However, it seems that the community began to realize what is happening. It is directed towards the boycott. Neither the radios nor the televisions of the parties can fool people like they used to do in the past. Everybody is tired and fed up to listening to the same politicians and the same things every night.

Do you know what the most important characteristic of the elections before us is? It is the fact that for the first time they will be conducted in an occupied EU territory. Think. Do you understand what this EU does? It has accepted the whole of Cyprus. It recognizes only one legal state on the island, the Republic of Cyprus. However, elections will be conducted for separate state organs in the north. That is, this is totally illegal. As for the EU, it says nothing about it. It talks about the international law and remains indifferent to the flagrant violation of this law.

Mehmet Ali Talat is preparing to go to Brussels. He will have conducts, they say. To tell the truth, the fact that this visit is taking place on the eve of the elections is interesting. It is understood that some circles are planning some actions in order to increase the votes of Talat. Perhaps they have even prepared a program for this. First Talat will go to Brussels. Afterwards, the community will again be pumped with exaggerated information. It will be told the fairy tale that the isolation has been lifted or that it will be lifted and who knows what else.

Our community lives a period when it is betrayed by the politicians whom it votes in the elections. Our parties, which participate in the elections, are prepared to enter the bridal chamber with the votes of those brought from Turkey. For the sake of not loosing these votes, no one complains any more about the balance of our population which has been upset. Perhaps we will come to our senses again one day after we suffer this time as well. Of course this may happen if we are not annihilated until then. The process of destruction is perfectly working. '".

/SK

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