Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-04-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey's chief of General Staff outlines Turkey's policy on the Cyprus problem

[02] "Threats by Serdar Denktas to RTP and Papadopoulos"

[03] Political developments in the occupied part of Cyprus after 17 April

[04] U.S. Department of State announced that they do not recognize "TRNC" or any other diplomatic representation

[05] Denktas calls on Talat to state clearly that the Republic of Cyprus does not represent the Turkish Cypriots

[06] Urbanization a major problem for Turkey

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Afrika: "Third operation"

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey's chief of General Staff outlines Turkey's policy on the Cyprus problem

"There are two important elements in Cyprus for Turkey: The first is our responsibility towards our Cypriot fellow-countrymen the security of whom is burdened to the Republic of Turkey, to the Turkish Armed Forces resulting from the Treaty of Guarantee. The second is the importance of its strategic role for Turkey, as it is clearly mentioned in the Treaties of Establishment and Guarantee.

These two basic elements demand continuity, because the stability and balance in Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean are ensured only for the sake of this. This element has importantly been taken into consideration in all the solution proposals regarding Cyprus. Some circles allege that these elements are not important now.

On the other hand, some countries are expressing their wish for changing the 1960 agreements. However, we know the necessity of the continuation of the existence of these agreements and consider as our duty and need the continuation of the responsibilities they burden us. As far as those who claim that Cyprus has no strategic importance, I want to remind them why Britain tried so hard to preserve its sovereign bases on the island and why an island which is so far from Europe and has problems has been accepted so hastily into the EU.

The Turkish Armed Forces have been always supporting a lasting and just solution to the Cyprus problem. On this issue especially the State of the Republic of Turkey and the TRNC have fulfilled their duties. The two results from the referendum on 24 April are the following: No one now can show Turkey or the TRNC as the reason for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem. There are two equal people on the island which do not represent each other. The second result is that the promises regarding the lifting of the isolation applied on the TRNC are forgotten. Still wanting Turkey to make any gesture is a great injustice for Turkey. The aim of the Greek Cypriot side is obvious. It is putting the solution onto the shelve and leaving it to time, without undertaking any serious commitments. They are aiming at eliminating the parameters for a just and lasting solution, at taking unilateral concessions from Turkey thorough the EU, at patching the Turkish Cypriots to them and at taking hold of the island alone by deactivating the TRNC. According to them, the success of this policy they have depends on the continuation of the non-solution in Cyprus.

As it is known, within the framework of the Turkish foreign policy, Turkey recognizing the Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus as the representative of the whole island is out of the question. Turkey can recognize on the island a new order of things that will come up as a result of negotiations between the sides, which have equal status, and that is not the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus of the 1960. This new order must not harm the rights of Turkey deriving from the treaties of establishment and guarantee. The 20 February elections and the elections that took place earlier in the TRNC had been realized in a democratic and transparent manner and in a free environment. In this manner, the TRNC has once more proved the existence of an influential state administration having a free and parliamentary structure".

[02] "Threats by Serdar Denktas to RTP and Papadopoulos"

In statements on a television program of illegal Bayrak, Mr Denktas noted that if during this process there is no solution and change in the stance of the RTP, then a "governmental" crisis could be caused.

Mr Denktas said: "I am giving to Papadopoulos one year and to RTP two years. In case there is absolutely no change on the Cyprus problem and they insist on not changing their policy, then our roads will separate. And a governmental crisis will be caused".

Mr Denktas argued that the Turkish Cypriots must wake up from dreaming. He also claimed that they will exert efforts for reaching a solution, based on political equality, but this could last only for some period.

Mr Denktas alleged that stating that the only alternative on the Cyprus problem is the solution "pushes backwards" President Papadopoulos.

He argued that the EU should exert pressure on the Greek Cypriots on the issue of the direct trade and financial aid regulations, but he added that he was not expecting a development in this direction.

Mr Denktas said that the program of the new "government" of the occupation regime is being prepared and that their aim was to have it ready within next week.

[03] Political developments in the occupied part of Cyprus after 17 April

In statements to KIBRIS Mr Soyer said that the new Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat will assign him with the duty of establishing a new "government" as soon as he takes over from Mr Rauf Denktas.

Mr Soyer noted that they have a protocol with the Democratic Party and that this protocol will be announced shortly after it takes its final form. "We shall establish the government within the next week and go to the parliament", he added.

Expressing the opinion that "beautiful things" happened during Mr Talat's term in the "prime ministry", Mr Soyer said they were determined to continue "these beautiful things".

He argued that they were undertaking a difficult responsibility and added, inter alia, the following: "We have to take the Cyprus problem to dialogue with the Greek Cypriot side in cooperation with the President, the parliament, Turkey and the non-governmental organizations. No one can endure any interruption and failure. This process is an issue of the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people and it is a great responsibility".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (20.04.05) reports that a struggle for the position of the chairman of the RTP began in the party after Mr Talat's victory. Invoking sources close to the RTP, the paper writes that Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Omer Kalyoncu and Kutlay Erk are the names which are mentioned for the leadership of the party.

A group in the party known as "the junta of Kyrenia" wants Omer Kalyoncu, so-called minister of transport, to replace the new Turkish Cypriot leader in the presidency of the RTP. Mr Kalyoncu is known as the most trusted person of Mehmet Ali Talat and during Talat's absence he substitutes him in the "council of ministers".

Another group, reports the paper, headed by Salih Usar, the brother of the late General Secretary of RTP Naci Talat, argues that Mr Soyer must continue his duties as General Secretary of the party and that he has neither the weight not the maturity to be "prime minister". It is said that there is a formula according to which Ferdi Sabit Soyer, in order to save his prestige, will remain as "prime minister" for one year and afterwards he will resign for health reasons, turning over the post to Omer Kalyoncu.

Mr Kutlay Erk, is said to be the candidate preferred by the business circles in the occupied part of Nicosia.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot VATAN newspaper (20.04.05) reports that in the National Unity Party (NUP) as well there are efforts by some persons for coming to the position of Mr Dervis Eroglu, in case he decides to resign. The paper notes that Huseyin Ozgurgun and Irsen Kucuk are those who are exerting the most intensive efforts in this direction, while everybody waits with interest the attitude of Tahsin Ertugruloglu, who has a great support within the grassroots of the party. The name of Salih Miroglu is also mentioned for heading the party for a transition period until the "municipal elections" which will take place in 2006.

[04] U.S. Department of State announced that they do not recognize "TRNC" or any other diplomatic representation

"The United States does not recognize the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' and therefore there cannot be any diplomatic or official representation of it in the United States, including honorary consuls or consulates. Members of the Turkish Cypriot community informed us they intended to name a representative in Los Angeles. This individual has no official standing as far as the United States is concerned".

[05] Denktas calls on Talat to state clearly that the Republic of Cyprus does not represent the Turkish Cypriots

During the meeting Mr Denktas said that the issue that Turkey and "TRNC" must primarily clarify on the Cyprus problem is that the government of the Republic of Cyprus is not the government of the Turkish Cypriots. He also added: "Talat says that clearly to the diplomats. He says 'the Greek Cypriot government is not our government'. But he must also say that we would not abandon our sovereignty for being united with the Greek Cypriots. Hopefully he will say that after he will take his oath. He must say it. There is no other way."

[06] Urbanization a major problem for Turkey

"The social tension manifested in Mersin and Trabzon as well as the purse-snatching and theft incidents were discussed at the National Security Council [NSC] meeting. According to the report of the Gendarme General Command, the cause that lies behind the incidents is internal migration. Furthermore, the report states, it is necessary to prevent as soon as possible the migration to 14 provinces, including in particular Istanbul, Mersin, Ankara, and Izmir.

The NSC meeting lasted four and a half hours. According to our information, the events in Mersin and Trabzon as well as the purse-snatching and theft incidents that have escalated in recent months were discussed during the meeting. Two reports were submitted to the NSC on these issues. The report of the Gendarme General Command links the incidents to the imbalance in Turkey's demographic structure and emphasizes the issue of internal migration in particular. The report stresses that 14 provinces have reached a critical point with regard to migration. The report calls for the prevention of migration to 14 provinces, including Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana, Mersin, Antalya, and Diyarbakir. The biggest sources of migration, in turn, are listed as the eastern, southeastern, and Black Sea regions of Turkey.

NSC Secretary General Yigit Alpogan also submitted a report on the same subject to the council. The NSC report calls on the Health Ministry and the State Ministry in charge of family planning to start work in areas with high population growth, especially in eastern and southeastern Anatolia, in the filed of demographic planning. The report cites the attachment of the individual to his place of residence and the elimination of the unjust distribution of income as measures that should be adopted. The subject of a visa for Istanbul was also raised during the NSC meeting, but no decision or recommendation was made in this regard".

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] AFRIKA: "THIRD OPERATION"

"In Turkey, at the Office of the Chief of staff, in the government they have all welcomed Talatī s election in the north Cyprus as president. They have already bid farewell to Denktas, without hurting and annoying him. They have presented him with a hero's honour... Then they have shed tears after him, some shed crocodile's tears and some real tears. They have filled pages of his political life, his successes and his heroism... As though, he has been appreciated, after he has left...

They say that Turkey has expectations from Talat... What is the greatest expectation? Talat has to prove to the world that the Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution.... If Talat succeeds in this, he would be considered scoring a major success... Turkey will be at ease. For Turkey, the problem is not non-solution, but the responsibility for the non-solution should rest on the Greek Cypriot side.

Now, the USA, Britain as well as Turkey are after this. They said that the difference between Denktas and Talat is on the style. Denktas was tough and harsh and bad tempered. On the other hand Talat is softer. Denktas used to address domestic issues, and not outside world.... Talat was successful, because he was able to use in each and every sentence the words "peace" and solution thus appearing a man that favours "peace".

This is the fact that makes Turkey hopeful. Turkey plans using Talat, to get rid of its heavy burden in Cyprus. Talatīs another difference from Denktas is the following:

Denktas has no support in the South Cyprus.But, Talat has! There are people who kill themselves in order to prove to the Greek Cypriots that Talat is not a second Denktas. As a matter of fact, former government Spokesman Papapetrou declares that "It is crazy to say Talat is a new Denktas".

We as well wonder, based on which Talat's action Mr Papapetrou reached to this conclusion. Is he considering the hush up words of "solution" and "peace"? If we are going to judge people from what they say and not what they do, then we have to vote for priests and imams on this issue. No one has the style of the priest and imam on this issue. Are there any other people who speak about kindness, justice, and beauty?

There is no new era in Cyprus. There is only second Turkish era. The first had started in 1974. The second starts now. We are not after solution. We will work to put the Greek Cypriot side on the accused bench. Our objective is neither United Cyprus nor common existence...Our aim is to make The Greek Cypriot side to be sentenced... Come on ... get ready. The third operation is on the way."

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