Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-03-29

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The process of signing the Additional Protocol began.

[02] Gul invokes the small population of Cyprus regarding Turkey´s obligations deriving from the 17 December EU Summit.

[03] Gul repeats that Turkey will not recognize an EU member state which it occupies militarily. New dimensions to the acquis communautaire.

[04] Argentina´s Minister of Foreign Affaires extended support to Ankara for Cyprus.

[05] Advisor to the EU Commission Legal Affairs department said that the signing of the protocol by Turkey would not mean the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

[06] Gul: "Greek Cypriot ships will not enter Turkish ports".

[07] Five deputies resigned from RPP.

[08] The ruling Justice and Development Party thinks it can bring the US to its knees because of Incirlik.

[09] Former JDP deputies visit Denktas and Eroglu and express their support.

[10] The number of the voters in the pseudostate has increased. Talat states that his target for the "elections" is to get more than 60%.

[11] Talat intends to use secret funds for espionage.

[12] The director of the "presidency department" of the occupation regime who is accused for corruption, left the pseudostate and may be in the free areas of Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The process of signing the Additional Protocol began

In the text no reservation was included as regards Turkey's claim that it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus.

[02] Gul invokes the small population of Cyprus regarding Turkey´s obligations deriving from the 17 December EU Summit

His speech was broadcast live by NTV television today (29.03.05), and Mr Gul was referring to Turkey´s obligations regarding the additional Customs Union Protocol (CUP) to include the ten new EU members, including the Republic of Cyprus, the territory of which is under the occupation of 40,000 Turkish troops.

Mr Gul said: "

"' This is a totally technical issue. The procedure regarding this has begun. Negotiations have been conducted. As a result of these talks it was accepted because only the movement of goods enters into the sphere of the Customs Union. The opening of the ports and airports is out of the question. Only the movement of goods will be free. And in relation with this, we have launched the procedure for signing the protocol. The Commissioner for the Enlargement will probably brief today the European Parliament on the issue. .. This is a procedure. There is nothing signed at this moment. However, this has started. ' And when we reach the stage of the signature it will be signed. There, because the Greek Cypriots are a member of the EU and because recognition between the Greek Cypriots and Turkey and Northern Cyprus is out of the question, because a lasting solution was not found, the current position of Turkey will remain the same. All possibilities given by the international law will be used in relation to this. 'Within this framework we wish of course a lasting peace in Cyprus. 'Everybody knows that this could be done only under the auspices of the UN. However, Turkey will continue recognizing the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´. Our `embassy´ will be there. And this movement of goods will only include the area where the authority, law and responsibility of the Greek Cypriots are valid within the current borders. 'I want especially to draw attention to the following: Of course the long term future and interests of Turkey can never be mortgaged to six hundred thousand persons. 'Turkey will not play the game of either the radical anti-Turkish elements within the EU or anyone else's game. '".

[03] Gul repeats that Turkey will not recognize an EU member state which it occupies militarily. New dimensions to the acquis communautaire

Noting that they received the letter that included the additional protocol, Gul recalled that the 10 new members of the organization will adopt the EU rules and asserted that the signing of the protocol is required for that purpose. He said: "The new members will adopt the agreements the EU has concluded with many non-member countries. A customs union agreement exists between the EU and Turkey. The new members must conclude similar agreements. In practice, that came into effect on 1 May 2004. In other words, the movement of products between Turkey and the EU members is not restricted. That applies to the areas under the 'Greek Cypriot Administration's' control, areas in which the Greek Cypriot laws apply."

Asserting that talks on the text of the protocol were held in Brussels a few weeks ago, Gul said that an agreement was reached on the text and that the process related to it has begun. Noting that they asked the EU to convey the agreed text to them, he said that they will study it to establish whether it is identical with the copy they have. Gul asserted: "We will say yes and the process related to the text will begin."

Gul said that the signing of the text might be delayed until Britain takes over the EU term presidency and noted that Turkey will sign the document and fulfil its promises at the end of the process. He said: "The requirements of international law will be fulfilled. The recognition of the Greek Cypriot side is out of the question. The Greek Cypriot side will be recognized when a durable solution is found to the problem. The Greek Cypriots may visit Turkey. If freedom of movement is not restricted, then a way can be found to secure the free movement of goods and products. However, Turkey recognizes the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'. It will continue to do so. We will keep our ambassador [in occupied Cyprus]. A change will not take place. That is out of the question. On behalf of Turkey, we want to reiterate the call we made to the United Nations to take action for a durable solution on the island. The entire region can become an area of cooperation. We hope that a durable solution will be found under UN auspices. However, the recognition of the Greek Cypriot side before a durable solution is found is out of the question. All the necessary legal measures have been taken for that purpose."

[04] Argentina´s Minister of Foreign Affaires extended support to Ankara for Cyprus

Following their tęte-ŕ-tęte talks and meetings between Turkish and Argentinean delegations, Gul and Bielsa signed agreements envisaging cooperation between the two countries in "Cultural Exchange", "Protection of Plants" and "Veterinary Medicine".

Holding a press conference after the signing ceremony, Gul said that Turkey was determined to further improve its bilateral relations with Argentina. Recalling that Argentina was a member of the Latin American Common Market (Mercosur), Gul told reporters that Turkey aimed to sign a free trade agreement with the Mercosur.

Noting that the Cyprus issue was also discussed at the meeting, Gul said: "I informed Mr Bielsa on the process. Argentina is acting as a member of the United Nations Security Council for the period of 2005-2006, and has 1,000 soldiers in the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus."

Meanwhile, Mr Bielsa acknowledged Turkey's thesis about the Cyprus problem to be right, stressing that they would do everything in their power to lead the United Nations Security Council to take action.

Noting that they were planning to set up strategic partnership relations with Turkey, Mr Bielsa said that they wanted to pave the way for direct trade between Turkey and Argentina.

Following the press conference, Bielsa was received by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

[05] Advisor to the EU Commission Legal Affairs department said that the signing of the protocol by Turkey would not mean the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus

Mr Hoffmeister said that the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Ankara can be made by an international declaration but added that Turkey has to recognise the Republic of Cyprus as a member of the EU.

He also noted: "Turkey might declare whether it recognises the Republic of Cyprus or not while it signs the supplementary protocol. But the supplementary protocol is another matter".

[06] Gul: "Greek Cypriot ships will not enter Turkish ports"

As for the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas, Gul said that they would have been happy if Denktas would have put his candidacy and was elected as "president". He said that they will try to make use of Denktas´ fifty years of experience in politics. Gul further said that after the referendum the economic situation in the occupied area improved and in such a way that today each family owned two cars. Gul claimed that President Papadopoulos does not want a solution.

Excerpts from the interview:

Question: You will sign the Customs Union Protocol (CUP) with the Republic of Cyprus that is with the Greek Cypriots. Will the Greek Cypriot ships enter Turkish ports? Will the Greek Cypriot airplanes land at Turkish airports?

Answer: No

Question: But Greek Cypriot and Greeks will exert pressure within the EU. How would you stop this?

Answer: We could have put the protocols aside, by branding them troublesome, thus we could have blocked our own path and the alternative to the closed path is isolation. But what we did, we have taken it up, since 1 May 2004, the Greek Cypriot Administration officials and citizens are coming to Turkey freely, they could go to the Turkish section, the "TRNC", "Turkish Republic of North Cyprus". That is, there is movement with visa arrangement.

Subtitle: It will take few months

Question: When will you sign the protocol?

Answer: The ball is in the EU court. The EU Commission and the term president country, will sign this protocol one by one with the countries party to it. They will sign with Turkey as well the agreement concerning us, that is the Customs Union that emanated from the Ankara Agreement, which is related to the free movement of goods. The services sector is outside of this. Seaports, airports, transport, are services sectors. It is up to individuals how to send their goods. Our legal experts discussed this. We reached to a consensus. This is a procedure, it will take some months. They have sent the text. We will look into it and will tell them to start the procedure.

Question: Is the text the one you have reached consensus on or did they change it?.

Answer: We have copies in our hands. There will be last concensus, on the text to be signed. We are looking into the text they have sent us. We will tell them to start most probably soon. Olli Rehn will present it to the European Parliament (EP).

Subtitle: Water cannot flow upwards

Question: Do you think that the Greek Cypriots will not react against the non-opening of the seaports and airports?

Answer: You cannot make water to flow upwards. Everything has its limitis. The EU now will distribute this text to 25 member states. And then they will send it to the EP and they will get the EU Parliament´s consent. When everything is finished they will say we could sign it. And only after that we will sign it, most probably during Britain´s term presidency.

Question: But everybody is worried. Don't you think that in this way we are recognizing the Republic of Cyprus, which we call Greek Cypriot Administration?

Answer: No

Subtitle: We were very particular

Question: Don´t you think that once the Accession talks start with the EU on 3rd October, they will force Turkey to recognition.

Answer: The Greek Cypriot Administration´s citizens, with their passports are coming to Turkey. We are concluding the agreement with the area where the Greek Cypriots dominate and where the Greek Cypriot laws, and authority rules. We continue to recognize the "TRNC". We have an ambassador in the "TRNC", on top of it the EU knows this. In these agreements it is written where and on which territory this (CUP) is valid. So why should we bind our future? We had meetings for 2-3 months with the one of the largest firms in the world. We have consulted one of the largest firms in the international relations, in Britain, the USA and France. We have worked meticulously and painstakingly. Everybody told us that recognition `is one sided declaration of will´. This was said after we have openly said that we do not recognize. This was said after this was written in all EU, UN and Security Council documents. We are not saying this to ourselves. We are inscribing this in the EU minutes, the UN and Security Council minutes.

Question: Will they be able to open Embassy or a trade office?

Answer: No, we do not recognize them but there is a reality. When the accession negotiations start one of the 25 countries sitting around the table will be a person representing the Greek Cypriots. You could say, `I do not want even exchanging salutes´, then you leave EU and go away. This is Turkey´s choice! One should forget that in 1999, during the European Security and Cooperation Organization meeting in Istanbul, the Greek Cypriot sector´s flag was raised. I say this for those who today criticize us.

Question: Do you think that it is exploited for domestic consumption?

Answer: If we are trapped by those who conduct populist activities, and if we become afraid as government, we do not demonstrate political will, then Turkey will lose. In the past Turkey had lost. In time it was possible to preclude the Greek Cypriots´ entry into the EU. Turkey and Turkish Cypriots in the past had this possibility".

[07] Five deputies resigned from RPP

Mirac Akdogan was definitely expected to leave the JDP after former Minister of Culture and Tourism Erkan Mumcu resigned from the party. He disclosed his resignation today (yesterday). Explaining why he decided to resign, Akdogan said: "The JDP is quickly losing the legality it gained through the Turkish nation's votes." Known for his close relations with Erkan Mumcu, Akdogan is definitely expected to join the Motherland Party.

Meanwhile, independent deputy from Mardin Muharrem Dogan joined the Motherland Party.

The five opposition deputies who resigned from the RPP are: Deputy from Istanbul Ahmet Guruzketenci, deputy from Izmir Hakki Akalin, deputy from Mersin Ersoy Bulut, deputy from Hatay Zuheyir Amber, and deputy from Amasya Mustafa Sayar resigned from their party. Describing their former party leader Deniz Baykal as the sultan of the RPP, the five deputies said that they will join the Social Democratic People's Party (SDPP). The number of the political parties in the parliament will increase to six when they do so.

NTV television (29.03.05) broadcast that the deputy of JDP from Gaziantep, Omer Abushoglu resigned today.

The distribution of the seats in the parliament is as follows: JDP 359, RPP 163, True Path Party 6, Motherland Party 5, Social Democrat People´s Party 5, People's Ascendance Party 1, and independents 10. One seat is vacant.

[08] The ruling Justice and Development Party thinks it can bring the US to its knees because of Incirlik

"The United States has been awaiting a response from Turkey for the past nine months regarding Incirlik Air Base, which it wants to use as a logistics base within the framework of its new Global Defense Posture.

The bargaining between Turkey and the United States regarding the Incirlik base has been suspended for some time. The General Staff, in its briefing to the press in January, threw the ball into the government's court by announcing that it had approved the use of Incirlik for logistical purposes. US officials stress that the Washington administration has been waiting for an answer regarding Incirlik for the past nine months.

JDP [ruling Justice and Development Party] sources state that an answer has to be given to the United States prior to 24 April, which is the 90th anniversary of the so-called Armenian genocide. It is expected that the government will send a positive answer on Incirlik in response to the message coming from Washington that "You have to strengthen our hand so that we can oppose [recognition of] the genocide."

JDP Deputy Chairman Murat Mercan's statement, at a meeting he attended in the United States, that the government will give a response on Incirlik very soon, has had the effect of a cold shower within JDP circles. JDP sources express their bewilderment by saying that "If a decision is going to be taken, the Prime Minister would announce it. Murat Bey hadn't been authorized to make such a statement."

Subtitle: Alternatives ready

In the meantime, the United States is also continuing negotiations with Bulgaria and Romania. While it is stated that Bulgaria and Romania have given a green light to the United States' requests for bases, comments are being made in the corridors of Ankara that "If the government does not give the United States the answer that it is expecting in terms of Incirlik, then Bulgaria, Romania, and Georgia could be alternatives to Turkey." US sources, saying that "If conditions require, it is possible to find an alternative for everything", are giving the indication that they are prepared against the possibility of the government's giving a negative decision.

It is reported that great progress has been made in discussions with Bulgaria, in particular. The Bulgarian government has approved repair work at the Bezmer, Novo, and Selo airports, which it is preparing to assign to the United States. It is also stated that Romania is looking positively at making available to the United States one or several of its facilities on the Black Sea coast which it no longer uses. Also included in the information circulating in the corridors is that the United States has been talking for some time with Greece regarding a military base".

[09] Former JDP deputies visit Denktas and Eroglu and express their support

Mr Sirin and Mr Soylemez had lunch yesterday with Mr Denktas and afterwards they visited Mr Dervis Eroglu, leader of the National Unity Party (NUP) and candidate for the "presidential elections". In statements after their meeting with Mr Eroglu they said that the aim of their visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus was to support Mr Rauf Denktas who had stated that he was not going to be a candidate in the "presidential elections" because of the stance of the JDP. Mr Sirin and Mr Soylemez said they felt gratitude to Mr Denktas because of the services he offered to the Turkish world and wished success to Mr Eroglu in the "elections".

Expressing his support to Eroglu in the "presidential elections", Mr Sirin said that he as well was a "citizen" of the pseudostate and argued: "The JDP government has betrayed Cyprus. The life of the JDP government is being completed. Let the Turkish Cypriots not look at the JDP while they vote. Let the Turkish Cypriots not be deceived with false slogans".

[10] The number of the voters in the pseudostate has increased. Talat states that his target for the "elections" is to get more than 60%

According to a statement issued by Mr Taner Erginel, the so-called president of the supreme electoral board of the occupation regime, some of the reasons for voters' increase are that some persons reached the age of 18 in the period between the two "elections" and that some other persons received "identity" card from the pseudostate and now have the right to vote.

In addition, the paper writes that Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called prime minister of the pseudostate and candidate of the presidential elections stated that he aims to get more than 60% in the "elections". He also stated that the big majority that want solution and EU accession will support him in the "elections".

[11] Talat intends to use secret funds for espionage

The paper writes, inter alia, the following:

"Talat who was yesterday hosted on the morning program of the RTP's SIM FM radio, responded to the questions of the presenter of the program and director for public relations of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, Sami Ozuslu. Upon Ozuslu's asking 'for what purpose are these payments used and how are they being supervised', Prime Minister Talat said the following:

'The undercover payments for example are used for espionage. They are given to spies. They are used for secret operations about which no one must know. This exists in the USA and Britain as well. For example, arms have been bought in Turkey from this payment and confusion was created when this leaked to the Press. This cannot be supervised. Therefore, the people must elect as president a person that they trust, so that they are sure that the undercover payments are used correctly. I am not against the undercover payment. This payment is necessary''".

[12] The director of the "presidency department" of the occupation regime who is accused for corruption, left the pseudostate and may be in the free areas of Cyprus

According to the paper, twelve persons who work at the "presidency department" of the occupation regime, three temporary employees and one retired person were brought yesterday in front of a so-called court and were forbidden to leave the pseudostate. However, the "head hero" of the event, Mr Tansel Cagis was missing and a warrant was issued for him in order to be arrested. The pseudo police is looking for Mr Cagis, but according to Mr Akin Sait, the so-called attorney general of the occupation regime, Cagis may have escaped in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

The paper writes that these persons are accused for irregularities as regards the expenses account of the "president's office", regarding the amount of 311 billion, 965 million, 500 thousand Turkish lira, for the period between the months January to March 2001.

/SK

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