TURKISH PRESS
AND OTHER MEDIA
No.157/04
18.08.04
A. NEWS ITEMS
1. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared a report on the Customs Union of Turkey with the Republic of
Cyprus.
2. Talat sends a letter to the UN Secretary – General.
3. “The commander got very angry”.
4. Talat admits that Turkey uses Cyprus as a trump card for achieving its own political goals.
A.NEWS ITEMS
1. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared a report on the Customs Union of Turkey with the Republic of
Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (18.08.04) reports that experts on EU issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara
have prepared a report on the Customs Union of Turkey with the Republic of Cyprus. The experts note that such a Customs
Union would mean recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey, something that would annoy the Turkish Cypriots.
The experts point out that in case this Customs Union is not realized, there will be “serious weaknesses” in Turkey getting a
date from the EU in December. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Customs Union in favour of Turkey is inevitable.
The paper writes that the report will be discussed in details today in Ankara during the visit of Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called prime
minister of the occupation regime and Serdar Denktas, “deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs”. Another issue that
will reportedly be discussed is the opening of the occupied city of Varosha for its Greek Cypriot owners who would be able to
return under Turkish administration.
2. Talat sends a letter to the UN Secretary – General
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (18.08.04) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called prime minister of the occupation
regime has sent a letter to the UN Secretary- General, Kofi Annan expressing the concerns of the Turkish side regarding the
developments after the 24 April referendums on the island.
According to the paper, Mr Talat reiterated to the UN Secretary – General the readiness of the Turkish Cypriots to do everything
for achieving peace in Cyprus.
Mr Talat alleged that if the EU acts only in the direction of the “caprices and the wishes of the Greek Cypriots”, it is obvious that
very few things could be done. “In such a case, my efforts will not be enough to keep my people’s hope alive for a long time”,
claimed Mr Talat and argued: “The disappointment and the problems will inevitably cause a hardening of stance among our
people”.
3. “The commander got very angry”
Under the above title Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (18.08.04) reports that an incident which took place yesterday at
the Ledra Palace barricade brought face to face, once again, the civilian “authorities” with the army in the occupied part of
Cyprus.
According to the paper, Mr Christos Pourgourides, MP of the Greek Cypriot Democratic Rally (DISY) party, went to the occupied
areas upon an invitation by Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called prime minister of the occupation regime. The so-called police
prevented Mr Pourgourides from crossing over to the occupied areas without showing his identity card. At the end the Greek
Cypriot MP crossed over without any procedure after Mr Talat himself went to the barricade.
However, concludes AFRIKA, the Commander of the so-called Security Forces demanded a written deposition on the issue
from all the “police officers” who were on duty at the barricade.
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4. Talat admits that Turkey uses Cyprus as a trump card for achieving its own political goals
Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (18.08.04) reports that Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called prime minister of the occupation
regime, admitted that Turkey will not want a solution to the Cyprus problem in case it is not given a date for launching its
accession negotiations with the EU in December.
In statements to a private radio, Mr Talat said, inter alia, the following on the issue: “If Turkey gets a date from the EU, its
negotiating power on the Cyprus problem will weaken because its responsibilities will increase. However, if it does not get a
date, things will be very bad, because a Turkey that does not get a date by the EU will not be willing for a solution in Cyprus.
…The Cyprus problem should be solved while Turkey is heading towards the EU. This is a condition for Turkey’s final
accession”.
/SK
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