Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-04-26

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NTV quotes EU officials to have pointed out to Turkey its responsibilities from Cyprus� accession to the EU.

[02] Strategy of non-solution by Turkey until it secures accession to the EU.

[03] KIBRIS says that the US Secretary of State is expected to invite Mr Talat to Washington in order to discuss a package on the lifting of the "embargoes".

[04] The results of the voting of the referendum in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[05] Erdogan says the result of the referenda was the biggest success of the Turkish diplomacy during the last 50 years and supports that the referenda could not be repeated.

[06] Gul declares the Annan plan to be dead.

[07] Rauf Denktas commented on the referenda results.

[08] The leader of the Republican Turkish Party on the referenda results

[09] Serdar Denktas on the referenda results.

[10] Serdar Denktas and Talat to continue their coalition.

[11] The leader of the National Unity Party on the referenda results.

[12] Mr Mustafa Akinci on the referenda results.

[13] Ankara has prepared its plans directed to the referenda results.

[14] Contacts under way between Turkey and Gulf countries for recognition of the occupation regime.

[15] The main opposition leader in Turkey: Cyprus needs Denktas.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NTV quotes EU officials to have pointed out to Turkey its responsibilities from Cyprus� accession to the EU

Senior officials of the EU recalled that on 1 May Cyprus will become a full member of the EU and that among the steps that Turkey should take as regards Cyprus is the official recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

The same officials further noted that the EU-Turkey Association Council will meet on 17 May, at Foreign Ministers� level, and the Foreign Minister of Cyprus will take part in the meeting as well. The same sources further said that the content of the Customs Union Agreement signed in 1995 between Turkey and the EU will be enlarged in such a way as to accommodate Cyprus as well. The same officials warn that under these conditions it will be difficult to carry out the Customs Union Agreement negotiations with a country that does not recognize Cyprus. The EU officials further noted the importance that although the Turkish troops in north Cyprus might not be branded occupation troops, it is important for these troops to start withdrawing from Cyprus. As regards the removal of the so-called embargo, the EU officials pointed out that these are court decisions and removal of them is difficult.

[02] Strategy of non-solution by Turkey until it secures accession to the EU

The paper stresses that with the support of the Turkish government, the Turkish Cypriots scored a victory against the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktas, but did not achieve solution and their EU target.

"Turkey, however, seems pleased with the result'. The Cyprus problem was directly linked to the bargainings Turkey will make with the EU for its membership in the Union," adds the paper.

The paper quotes statements by the Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr Erdogan, that no new referendum can be held and that the efforts will be made more difficult after May 1st.

The paper also reports in its front page that Mr Mehmet Ali Talat is going to Brussels today in order to start a diplomatic offensive."

[03] KIBRIS says that the US Secretary of State is expected to invite Mr Talat to Washington in order to discuss a package on the lifting of the "embargoes"

Invoking diplomatic sources, the paper writes that in Washington Mr Talat will discuss a package of measures prepared by the US on the issue of lifting the so-called embargoes applied on the occupation regime.

The paper notes that after the 24 April referendum, the Turkish side will launch a diplomatic campaign in the world aiming at lifting the "embargoes" and putting an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Talat is going to visit Brussels today and have meeting with Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner responsible for the Enlargement of the EU and participate in the meetings of the Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Defence and Security Committee of the European Parliament. Mr Talat, notes KIBRIS, is expected to submit two letters to the European officials asking them "not to punish the Turkish Cypriots for voting yes to the solution and not to reward the Greek Cypriots for voting no".

[04] The results of the voting of the referendum in the occupied areas of Cyprus

After the opening of all 563 ballot boxes, the final results in the referendum on the following question, "do you approve the Foundation Agreement with all its Annexes, as well as the constitution of the Turkish Cypriot State and the provisions as to the laws to be in force, to bring into being a new state of affairs in which Cyprus joins the European Union united?", were the following:

"Yes" votes         77,646          64.91%
"No" votes           41,973          35.09 %

[05] Erdogan says the result of the referenda was the biggest success of the Turkish diplomacy during the last 50 years and supports that the referenda could not be repeated

Addressing a press conference on Saturday after the announcement of the results in the referenda in Cyprus, Mr Erdogan supported that his government will continue to show positive stance on the Cyprus problem.

"The other guarantor state Greece has also displayed goodwill from the beginning and said: We want to contribute to the goodwill. The democratic will in southern Cyprus, however, brought about a different result. 'The Turkish side has always looked for a solution. Everybody anyhow knows about the work and stand of our government on these issues. This stand will continue in the same way in the future as well. The result was certainly not the result expected by the international community. A different result was expected. Respecting people's will is an indispensable principle of democracies, however.

I believe that the isolation policies imposed on the Turkish Cypriots by the international community have ended as of today. This is what I want to underline. I also believe that northern Cypriot Turks will no longer be exposed to isolation policies by the international community anymore. What is to be done? I believe that the world will now embrace the TRNC people whom it has isolated for years. I think that it [international community] should achieve this by sharing whatever is necessary in human rights, supremacy of law, education, art, history and tourism. I sincerely believe in this".

Asked whether or not there would be another referendum in Cyprus, Mr Erdogan said: "As you know, these issues are not a dyer's pot, it is not so easy. A referendum is held once and it is over. In fact, the UN Secretary-General dotted this when he said that he wants no part in another referendum".

When asked about his views on Mr Rauf Denktas' statement that there is no reason for his resignation, the Turkish Prime Minister noted: "I respect Mr Denktas. I have also explained my opinion on the referenda. The people of the TRNC have put forward an opinion. I do not know how Mr. Denktas will evaluate this opinion. Mr Denktas, however, made an assertion and the TRNC people assessed it. It is not necessary for me to make an assessment".

Responding to a question regarding the possibility of the Turkic republics and the Islamic countries recognizing the illegal occupation regime in northern Cyprus, Mr Erdogan said:

"It is too early to talk about all these. It is up to these countries. There are no obstacles to these countries making such a decision. In other words, Azerbaijan can make such a decision. It is its parliament's most natural authority and right. The TRNC, in turn, will not question such a decision. '".

Meanwhile NTV (25.04.04) broadcast the following report regarding statements by Mr Erdogan: "The Prime Minister said that the policies pursued by Turkey during the Cyprus referendum process constitute the most significant success recorded in diplomacy in the past 50 years. Noting that for years, north Cyprus was accused of being against a solution, Erdogan said: Now, the situation has completely changed. The foundations have moved in Cyprus".

[06] Gul declares the Annan plan to be dead

"Undoubtedly, there is a new situation now. We hope that everyone will assess and examine this new situation in the best way. From now on, the embargoes imposed on the TRNC should not continue. The TRNC has displayed its will. It has displayed its will to unite. It should, therefore, no longer be subjected to isolation".

Asked whether or not is necessary for Rauf Denktas to resign, Mr Gul noted:

"That is the internal matter of the TRNC. Therefore, I would not want to interfere in their internal politics".

Asked whether or not it was possible to say, at this point, that the Annan Plan is dead, the Turkish Minister argued: "In any case, Kofi Annan himself answered this question. He said if both sides or one of the sides say no in the referendum, this plan will cease to exist. The fact that the Greek Cypriot side said no with a great majority -- over 75 percent -- is very noteworthy. At this point, there is nothing to be done".

Responding to another question on whether or not there are high chances of holding a second referendum, Mr Gul supported: "Kofi Annan gave the answer to this. He said: If both sides or one of the sides reject the plan, this page is closed".

Responding questions about his country's next steps, he said:

"It is not true that we were expecting this outcome. The Turkish Government exerted extraordinary efforts to bring about a solution. I even granted an interview to a Greek Cypriot newspaper, for the first time as a Turkish foreign minister. I called on them to say yes. We could not have done more. There is no doubt that a state or a government prepares itself for all the alternatives. We, too, made all the necessary preparations. Consequently, we will implement our preparations in the face of the alternative and the reality that has emerged today. The TRNC has fulfilled its duty, it definitely cannot be left isolated in this manner. It cannot be left isolated in all aspects -- economically, politically, and other aspects. There is no doubt that the TRNC has the right to expect to have this isolation lifted, and we, in turn, will exert every possible effort in this regard. '".

Asked if we could say that such a strong rejection on the part of the Greek Cypriots renders the division in Cyprus permanent, Mr Gul claimed: "In fact, we can say that. At the very least, the Greek Cypriots can no longer claim that they represent the Turkish Cypriot sector. They cannot claim that they represent the whole island. They can represent only themselves. Therefore, this was clearly manifested. Of course, efforts can always be exerted for a solution, but this must be done by taking all the facts into consideration".

Asked if there could be a change in the status of the Turkish military presence in occupied Cyprus. Mr Gul noted: "This plan had envisaged the withdrawal of troops as well, but when the plan was rejected, everything was rejected".

[07] Rauf Denktas commented on the referenda results

Speaking at a press conference at the Saray Hotel in occupied Nicosia, Mr Denktas stated that he was opposed to the Annan plan because it aims to remove the 'state' of the occupation regime. "The Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot side have made their decisions. All our efforts were to save the Turkish Cypriots from the Annan Plan, which was going to abolish our 'Republic'. We succeeded in this. The majority of the persons, who said yes, did not know what the Annan plan was and did not believe that the Annan Plan was going to abolish their 'state'. Everybody, therefore, had their own reasons for casting a yes vote", he said.

He also claimed that the international community had promised recognition of the pseudostate and the lifting of the embargos in case the Greek Cypriots vote 'no' and the Turkish Cypriots 'yes'.

Commenting on the issue of his resignation, he stated that he has no such intentions. "The esteemed Mr Talat said that it is time I should resign. This would be right if the Annan Plan was accepted. I have taken action to save the 'Republic' and the 'Republic' was saved. There is no need for my resignation, therefore", he said.

He went on and said the following: "I call on my 'people': the Annan Plan caused a division. The Annan Plan is forgotten now. Come, let us now unite and work together in order to take advantage of the present situation, the existence of our state, and the promises made for a yes vote. Turkey has done everything possible for both sides to cast a 'yes' vote. It will be great injustice to expect more from Turkey. We are happy with the results, therefore, even if the results were not exactly what we wanted", he said.

[08] The leader of the Republican Turkish Party on the referenda results

Mr Talat said that Rauf Denktas' resignation would be the appropriate thing after the result of the referendum in the occupied Cyprus adding: "Mr 'President' does not have any place in the coming period." Mr Talat said that he was pleased with the result of the referendum in the Turkish Cypriot side but he deeply regretted the result in the Greek Cypriot side, and said that "the international community should fulfil its responsibility".

Noting that they should take important steps in relations with the European Union (EU), Talat said that they were pleased with the attitude of many EU officials in recent period.

In addition, as illegal BAYRAK television (25.04.04) broadcast, Mr Talat stated that the positive result that emerged from the referendum could have been obtained earlier, but there was no such desire [on the part of Rauf Denktas], and this is why he is calling on him to resign. Stating that they do not favour the repetition of the referendum, Mr Talat said: "We fulfilled our duty and said yes at the referendum. Therefore, deciding on the referendum, or any other step, is the business of the international community and of the Greek Cypriot side".

[09] Serdar Denktas on the referenda results

Mr Serdar Denktas stated that the outcome of the referendum indicates that the Turkish Cypriots wish for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He also said that he believes that it is his duty as a Turkish Cypriot "to urge the Greek Cypriot leaders to consider the realities that have come to light and realize the fact that Cyprus belongs to the two peoples", as he said. Mr Serdar Denktas also said that the Turkish Cypriot side must take steps. "We must definitely adopt a pro-active policy to move ahead. We must study the views the EU and the United States expressed in connection with what they might do if one of the two sides said 'no' and the other said 'yes'. No one will decide to give us anything if we remain inactive, believing that promises have been made to us", he said and added: "Although the Annan plan had now been removed from the agenda, solution efforts will increasingly continue".

A journalist told Mr Serdar Denktas that despite the fact that DP decided to leave its grassroots to be free to vote, he personally decided to say 'no', and asked him whether he was influenced on this by his father, Rauf Denktas. Mr Serdar Denktas said that this was not true and that his decision had nothing to do with his father's influence.

[10] Serdar Denktas and Talat to continue their coalition

Serdar Denktas said that he met with Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, the leader of the RTP and together they discussed the latest developments. In addition to other issues, the issue of continuing with the pseudogovernment was taken up. Saying that "we will not find any better partners than each other," Denktas added: "The meeting yielded the decision to continue."

[11] The leader of the National Unity Party on the referenda results

Speaking at a press conference after the referenda results were announced, Mr Eroglu said that from now on, the Turkish Cypriots "should unite and struggle for the recognition of the pseudostate and for the lifting of the embargoes". He also claimed that the Turkish Cypriots "should be rescued from the Annan plan and that the international community has to keep its promises".

Mr Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriots voted "for the EU and for deliverance from isolation", because , as he said, "after examining the Annan plan closely, they would know that it was far from satisfying them and that it would create problems during implementation". He also said that according to him the Annan plan has been removed from the table. "Mr Annan and Mr de Soto had declared that, particularly if a 'no' vote emerges in the south and a 'yes� vote in the north, the Annan plan would be removed from the table and done away with", said Mr Eroglu. "From now on, both the governing parties and the opposition should cooperate for the advancement and development of the `TRNC�, for its deliverance from the embargo, and for its recognition", he added.

[12] Mr Mustafa Akinci on the referenda results

Mr Akinci stated that the Turkish Cypriots took a major step but the Greek Cypriots were not able to do the same. He said that nothing will remain as it was on 24 April and added that the Turkish Cypriots need to forge a new relationship on the international platform, especially the EU, as well as the entire international community. "In short, the embargoes, which were imposed on us for years because of the non-solution, should be lifted", he said.

The leader of the PDM also said that his party provided all the contribution and assistance to the pseudogovernment but, as he said, now that it was shown that the Democratic Party, the one half of the coalition government, has worked for the 'no' at the referendum and the non-solution, it would be impossible for his party to support such a "half-solution 'government'".

He also made a call on AKEL, which "has often said that it favoured a 'no' because it did not have enough time to convince the people for a yes" as he said. "It seems the 'yes' vote is now at around 20 percent in southern Cyprus. If AKEL is sincere in this statement, then it should be given sufficient time and the Greek Cypriots should be given another chance to vote on the Annan plan without, however, changing it", said Mr Akinci.

[13] Ankara has prepared its plans directed to the referenda results

"Ankara has prepared its plans directed to the probable results, which would come out from the critical referendums on Cyprus. It was learned that with these preparations, which came onto the agenda during the week with the statements the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul made in Bosnia-Herzegovina, "Wait, we will make a surprise. Turkey plans to request the alleviation of the embargo, and in contrast to what is expected, it will not request the recognition of the `TRNC�"

According to the strategy, which is envisaged to be discussed in detail at the NSC [National Security Council] meeting on Monday [26 April], Ankara will not take a direct initiative for the recognition of the "TRNC", which it considers as "impossible to be realized":

Subtitle: Recognition of the "TRNC" would not be requested directly:

For years, the Greek Cypriot side is making propaganda by saying, "Turkey is preventing an agreement with its rigid requests. Turkey's real objective is to provide for the recognition of the Turkish Cypriot Community and the lands under its own control, not a solution". If Turkey would request the recognition of the "TRNC", then the view is predominant that it would be tricked by the Greek Cypriots.

Subtitle: An initiative would be started with the EU and the other international organizations:

Turkey would take an initiative with the EU and member countries prior to 1 May when the Greek Cypriot Section will become an EU member and it would take initiatives for not unjustly treating the Turkish Cypriots in the picture emerging due to the fact that the agreement has been prevented by the Greek Cypriot Section and for making decisions and for taking measures accordingly. Turkey, which would bring the irreconcilable attitude of the Greek Cypriots to the international organizations, such as the UN, Council of Europe and the Organization of the Islamic Conference [OIC], would make a call for engaging in cooperation and solidarity and for providing financial support by giving the message, "You should not have the Turkish Cypriot people pay the price for this".

Subtitle: The courses of international cooperation would be sought:

Turkey would request that opportunities for cooperation are created step by step in the international arena for the "TRNC" in the political, economic, social and cultural areas. In this direction, Turkey would request that the UN, EU and the OIC make decisions having a political attribute and that they make recommendations to countries.

Subtitle: Turkey would say that investments should be made and isolation should be ended:

Intensive diplomatic contacts would be realized for the removal of the restrictions, which Turkey evaluates as an embargo, but the West qualifies as "isolation". Due to the fact that the UN Security Council resolutions envisage rigid, binding decrees in the international arena on this subject, it would be attempted to provide the most effective initiatives with the United States, the Western countries and the Islamic countries. Turkey would request that initiatives be started on the subject of direct flights to the Turkish Cypriot side, recognition of export certificates and foreign investments. Turkey would request that the EU funds, which have always been given to the Greek Cypriot side up until now, are given to the Turkish Cypriot people, led by the nongovernmental organizations.

Subtitle: The strategy of the Greek Cypriot side would be repelled:

For a solution after 1 May from the aspect of the EU, the formula of adding the "TRNC" to the Republic of Cyprus with the "East Germany" formula would come into the forefront. It does not appear to be possible for the Turkish Cypriot side to consent to this formula, which it considers even the "Turkish Cypriot State" envisaged in the Annan Plan to be weak from the aspect of sovereignty. Furthermore, the Greek Cypriot side, by once again bringing the Annan Plan onto the agenda up until the summit of the EU in December [2004] where a decision would be made on the subject of starting Turkey's EU negotiations, would try to obtain even greater concessions from the Turkish side. Ankara would try to repel the Greek Cypriot strategy by announcing that this would mean the recognition of the "TRNC". Turkey would request that the EU should make a decision on the subject of whether or not the Republic of Cyprus of the Greek Cypriots, who said "no" to the agreement, represents the entire island or only the Southern section.

Subtitle: The probability of a second referendum by 1 May [2004]:

Ankara is working on another alternative, which is stated to be the proposal of England and the United States. According to this, if a "yes" vote comes out from the Turkish Cypriot side in the referendum, but a "no" vote comes out from the Greek Cypriot side, then pressure would be exerted on the Greek Cypriot side to hold a second referendum up until 1 May. Turkey does not want to talk about this probability at the moment."

[14] Contacts under way between Turkey and Gulf countries for recognition of the occupation regime

"The European Union, faced with the ironic situation of "punishing" the party that heeded its calls for a Cyprus settlement in twin referenda on the island while rewarding the side that ignored all calls and obstructed a resolution of the 40-year Cyprus problem, will start today at a Brussels meeting to find a way out of the awkward situation, while the Turkish Cypriots, Turkey and the United States join the search for a "Plan B," considered "nonexistent" until the Saturday vote.

According to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish Cypriot people who voted 66 percent on Saturday in support of a U.N.-sponsored settlement plan, "From now on nothing should be the same," and the EU must now initiate a process and act to conform with its pledges to ease the impact of an embargo on northern Cyprus. This process, Turkish Cypriot officials say, could lead to eventual recognition of the `TRNC� unless in the meantime the Greek Cypriot leadership changes its position and acts for a resolution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the full equality of the two peoples of the island.

"The Annan plan is dead and void as of last night," Serdar Denktas, the Turkish Cypriot foreign minister, told the Turkish Daily News on Sunday, recalling that U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan himself had declared in unveiling the plan that if either of the two sides or both rejected the plan in the twin referenda it would become null and void.

"The Greek Cypriot side has rejected this plan and dispatched it into the trash bin of history. It's dead," said Serdar Denktas.

Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat, as well, declared that the Annan plan was "dead" but added that he remained committed to a settlement. Declining to directly answer whether he could accept a second vote on the Greek Cypriot side, Talat said the time was now for pressing hard on the Europeans to comply with the pledges they made to the Turkish Cypriots that they would not be left in the cold if they voted "yes" and the plan was killed with a Greek Cypriot "no." European Union foreign ministers, Turkish Cypriot officials said, would review the results of the twin Cyprus referenda at a meeting on Wednesday and decide on a set of "economic assistance" measures for northern Cyprus. The anticipation in northern Cyprus is that the EU might lift some restrictions, initially on farm products, and offer some "financial assistance" to ease the living conditions in the north.

European diplomatic sources, on the other hand, stressed that the EU ministers may as well consider ways and means of extending at least a substantial portion of the 250 million euro package the bloc had offered to extend to the island should a settlement deal materialize. In a first reaction to the Saturday referendum, the European Commission said the Greek Cypriots had missed a "unique opportunity" by rejecting the settlement deal but hinted at an economic windfall to the Turkish Cypriots after they accepted it.

The opening of at least one airport and deep-sea port of the Turkish Cypriot side to international trade and finding a formula to provide validity to Turkish Cypriot passports within the EU zone are issues under discussion, sources said.

Subtitle: Recognition of the `TRNC�

Another major issue on the agenda of the Turkish Cypriot state is to get international recognition from at least three to four countries in the "immediate future" in order to demonstrate to the Greek Cypriot side that their rejection of the settlement plan could lead to a "permanent partition" on the island.

Although Azerbaijan had declared some time ago that it might be the first country to initiate a process of recognition of the `TRNC� as a sovereign country, the Caucasian country is not expected to act as quickly as the Turkish Cypriots might hope. Well-placed sources said the Greek Cypriot government last week dispatched a "high commissioner" to Bangladesh to pressure that country not to recognize the Turkish Cypriot state, while contacts were reportedly under way between Turkish and some Gulf countries on the issue.

The first target of Turkey, sources said was likely to be two 1983 U.N. Security Council resolutions, one of which declares the proclamation of the `TRNC� "null and void" and the other urging the international communmity not to recognize it. "Our first targets are to get those two resolutions abrogated with a new resolution recognizing the current state of affairs on the island," a source said. This, the sources stressed, may come on the agenda within the next week after Annan presents his Cyprus "failure" report to the Security Council."

[15] The main opposition leader in Turkey: Cyprus needs Denktas

Deniz Baykal further said that at this point an era was closed and a new era has opened. Baykal made this statement at the Ataturk airport in Istanbul upon his return from the European Socialist Party Congress in Brussels. The RPP leader further said that the Annan Plan with the referenda results lost its chance to be implemented .He called the plan an imposed plan prepared outside of Cyprus.

/SK

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