Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-10

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Army General Hursit Tolon says Cyprus is Turkey�s national cause.

[02] The Turkish ambassador in Slovakia comments on the Cyprus problem during Serdar Denktas� visit.

[03] Opposition supports that local elections in the occupied territory will also determine the fate of the so-called government.

[04] Three Greek-Cypriots arrested in the occupied area in relation to human smuggling.

[05] Hasan Ercakica was appointed so-called Presidential spokesman.

[06] Dinner to EU Envoys by Gul on Europe Day.

[07] Erdogan warns France over genocide bill.

[08] Controversy over incident during Erdogan�s visit to Ataturk house in Thessaloniki.

[09] Pontus genocide monument draws reaction from Izmir.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Professor in the illegal Near East University argues that the US and Britain are preparing a new plan in order to help Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Army General Hursit Tolon says Cyprus is Turkey�s national cause

(MHY)

[02] The Turkish ambassador in Slovakia comments on the Cyprus problem during Serdar Denktas� visit

Mr Denktas is in Bratislava to attend a seminar and deliver a speech on the Cyprus problem this evening at an event organized by the think-tank organization, the Slovakia Union of Politics.

Speaking at a reception last night given in honour of Serdar Denktas, the Turkish Ambassador to Slovakia Suna Il1cak said that Ankara had fulfilled all its responsibilities towards finding a lasting, just and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem.

Pointing out that the non-solution of the Cyprus problem was continuing despite the fact the Turkish Cypriot people had voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Annan Plan, Mrs Il1cak reiterated Turkey s determination to continue supporting the efforts towards finding a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

Mrs Il1cak also referred to Mr Denktas visit to Slovakia, an EU member, as a unique opportunity to brief Slovak State officials and politicians on the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem.

As guest of the Slovakian Union of Politics, Mr Denktas� visit to the country will last three days.

He will then be visiting London for contacts there.

[03] Opposition supports that local elections in the occupied territory will also determine the fate of the so-called government

(MHY)

[04] Three Greek-Cypriots arrested in the occupied area in relation to human smuggling

Stavros Stavrou, Eleni Stavrou and Alinos Stavrou. The self-styled police also arrested together with 23 illegal immigrants from Syria the Turkish Cypriot, Serdar Tigrak, from Pergamos village. The self styled court in the occupied area ordered three days in custody for the three Greek Cypriots.

(MHY)

[05] Hasan Ercakica was appointed so-called Presidential spokesman

(Tr. Note: Hasan Ercakica is a columnist in YENIDUZEN newspaper and member of the Republican Turkish Party of Mr Talat).

(C/S)

[06] Dinner to EU Envoys by Gul on Europe Day

Addressing the Ambassadors, inter alia, Mr Gul said: "Different cultures existed in Europe throughout the history. The great success of the EU is based on its being a bridge between ideas, values and different cultural realities.

Positive reflections of EU's decision (to start entry talks with Turkey) have been felt even beyond the borders of the EU, and this decision was a historical step. Observers from all over the world welcomed this decision as well. Turkey will exert all efforts until the end of accession. Similarly we expect the EU to be purified from prejudices and approach Turkey with a fair stance."

We will overcome all difficulties regardless of the reasons. For instance, I am pleased that the political criteria problem was overcome.

We do not escape from these criteria, but they include chapters which should be discussed clearly."

On his part Christian Steiner, charge d'affaires of the Austrian Embassy in Ankara, said: "The EU expects prompt ratification and implementation of the Adaptation Protocol to the Ankara Agreement as well as its full application to all EU member states."

Noting that the process of acquis-screening was advancing well, Steiner said: "We are confident that substantive negotiations can start during the Austrian EU presidency.

As you will know enlargement questions are being closely followed by the population in the EU, maybe more so than in previous years. Let me assure you that the Union will honor its previous commitments towards candidate countries. At the same time, however, candidate countries will also have to show greater dimension and concrete results in this new enlargement process," he said. Steiner kept on saying, "I would like to make reference to the political Copenhagen criteria, particularly mentioning freedom of religion, freedom of speech, an efficient and independent judiciary, the protection of minorities and the exercise of cultural rights, the implementation of measures preventing torture and ill-treatment, and civil-military relations. A number of observers in the country have expressed the opinion that new envisaged anti-terror-legislation might seriously restrict civil rights."

Steiner recalled the EU's expectation for its prompt ratification and implementation of the Adaptation Protocol to the Ankara Agreement as well as its full application to all EU member states, adding: "This step will be essential to keep the accession process going as smoothly as it is now."

Speaking during the luncheon the British Ambassador to Turkey Peter Westmacott said that Turkey has a deficiency in introducing itself to EU countires and suggested Turkey to be more active in this issue. When German Ambassador to Turkey Eckart Cuntz asked what Turkey did to develop southeastern Anatolia region in economic aspect, Gul said: We have exerted efforts to eliminate regional inequalities. We have speeded up infrastructure activities and opened factories. These efforts cause uneasiness in PKK terrorist organization.

[07] Erdogan warns France over genocide bill

During the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the draft law which was submitted to the French parliament by the Socialist Party with the aim of punishing those who deny the Armenian genocide, would play havoc with the bilateral relations between Turkey and France.

Stressing that historians should deal with events of the past, Prime Minister Erdogan reacted to efforts to turn such events into a matter of political decision.

Recalling that Turkey had opened its archives to use of researches, Prime Minister Erdogan called on Armenia to display the same positive attitude.

"We expect executives of French firms to react to the draft law which will seriously hamper freedom of thought and expression. It also contradicts fundamental freedoms," Erdogan added. Meanwhile, executives of French firms expressed their regret over the draft.

Noting that they sent a letter to President Jacques Chirac of France, they pledged to do everything in their power to prevent enactment of the draft.

Reporting on the issue, Turkish daily CUMHURIYET newspaper (10.05.06) reports that the French Ambassador to Turkey Paul Poudade said that it was Turkey which would suffer most from the recent crisis between Turkey and France. He said that friendly relations with France would be beneficial for Turkey.

[08] Controversy over incident during Erdogan�s visit to Ataturk house in Thessaloniki

The Turkish government and individual deputies could consider taking legal action against the writer of a letter seen as insulting the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Speaking after a meeting of the cabinet, Justice Minister and government spokesman Cemil Cicek, said that the letter, written in the guest book of the house in the Greek city of Thessaloniki where the founding father of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was born, was highly insulting.

Last week, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan sparked controversy when, during a visit to Ataturks house, he tore the offending page from the guest book.

Tomorrow someone might come and write something against Turkey. These are disrespect to Ataturks memory, Cicek said.

The Justice Minister said that those who criticised Erdogan for tearing the page out had made their comments without reading the text. Cicek read out an edited version of the letter, saying that there were strong insults against all of them contained in the text. The letter went beyond the accepted standards of good manners, he said.

[09] Pontus genocide monument draws reaction from Izmir

Izmir Mayor Aziz Kocaoglu has remarked today that the protocol with Thessaloniki, originally scheduled to be signed in June, has been postponed indefinitely.

According to Kocaoglu, the genocide monument in Thessaloniki caused the postponement of the protocol.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Professor in the illegal Near East University argues that the US and Britain are preparing a new plan in order to help Turkey

Professor Atun first gives the historic background of the Cyprus problem and various proposals made in the course of the conflict starting from the 1947 Lord Winster Plan up to the 24 April 2004 Annan Plan for the solution of the problem. He then refers to the strategic importance of the island to Britain and the existing British Sovereign Bases there in safeguarding the free flow of the petrol sources from the Middle East and the Caucasus. He says that these bases are also important to the USA because in any crisis the US is using these bases together with the British.

In his article Professor Atun considers Cyprus being the focal point of the regional problems and interests and says that as a result of this importance the USA and Britain are now working to preclude any crisis between Turkey and the EU over Cyprus.

Prof. Atun then lists Turkeys difficulties with the EU as:

Turkeys refusal to implement its obligation to open up its sea and airports to the Cyprus - registered ships and planes

The isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots living in the occupied areas.

Accusations rising against Turkey as occupier in Cyprus.

The USA wants to solve these three difficulties and to strengthen its alliance with Turkey and safeguard its regional interests at the highest level. As a result of this now the US and Britain, with a view to precluding a possible crisis between the EU and Turkey in the autumn, are preparing a new solution plan based on the every thing is on the negotiation table logic. The package is in line with the EUs Direct Trade Regulations and Papadopoulos demands. That is, it is a total win-win situation.

He then lists the major points of the plan which is under consideration.

The five main points of the package are:

Joint operation of the Famagusta port by the Greek and Turkish Cypriots under the auspices of the EU.

Return of Varosha to its legitimate owners of the pre-1974 period.

Opening of Turkish sea and airports to the Cyprus registered ships and planes.

Customs Union Agreement between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus.

Removal of all the embargoes (social, cultural, sporting, transport, communication, education, economic, trade) imposed on the TRNC.

Prof. Atun adds that implementing of these five points will greatly relieve Turkey from the difficulties that is experiencing and will facilitate the finding of a solution in Cyprus since both communities will be brought to the same level.

Prof. Atun concludes by saying: The USA in the first stage will fop its pressure on the Greek Cypriot Government and will try to force Papadopoulos to accept the Turkish proposals.

(MHY)

/SK

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