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People's Daily
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, October 27, 2003
Senior CPC official meets Cyprus parliament leader
A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met Monday with Cyprus House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias.
A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met Monday with Cyprus House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias.
Wu Guanzheng , member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that China cherishes its friendship with Cyprus and values bilateral cooperation in all fields.
China holds that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, areequal members of the international community and should respect and treat each other in a fair and friendly manner, Wu said.
The Chinese new leadership will make joint efforts with Cyprus to further bilateral ties, Wu said. The parliaments of the two countries play an important role in enhancing ties between the twocountries and the two peoples, which he hopes the two parliaments do more to this end.
Wu also spoke highly of the party-to-party relationship betweenthe two nations, saying the Progressive Party of the Working People led by Christofias plays an important role in Cyprus and the CPC is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with it, Wu said.
Christofias said China has, in many years, adhered to the principled stance of upholding the international norms, promoting justice and opposing power politics, which he said Cyprus appreciates.
Cyprus thanked China's consistent stance on Cyprus' struggle toregain its territorial integrity, he said.
On bilateral relationship, Christofias said various parties in Cyprus value China's positive roles in international affairs and feel glad about the CPC's achievements in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
A stable yet strong China caters to the need of Asia and the world at large, he said.
The Cyprus government and people wish the Chinese party and people to score newer yet greater progress in implementing the resolutions adopted at the 16th National Congress of the CPC. Soon after the meeting, Wu met with Nikos Anastasiades, president of the Democratic Rally of Cyprus, admiring his efforts in promoting the China-Cyprus relations.
The two sides agreed to continue to promote the relations between the two parties and the two countries.
Later on Monday, Wu, who kicked off his official good-will visit to Cyprus last Saturday, is scheduled to leave for Syria , the last leg of his three-nation Middle East tour.
Also on Monday, Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee who is accompanying Wu on the current tour, met with leaders of four Cypriot parties.
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China View
Senior CPC official meets Cyprus parliament leader
www.chinaview.cn 2003-10-27 20:08:01
NICOSIA, Oct. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met here Monday with Cyprus House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias.
Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that China cherishes its friendship with Cyprus and values bilateral cooperation in all fields.
China holds that all countries, big or small, rich or poor, areequal members of the international community and should respect and treat each other in a fair and friendly manner, Wu said.
The Chinese new leadership will make joint efforts with Cyprus to further bilateral ties, Wu said. The parliaments of the two countries play an important role in enhancing ties between the twocountries and the two peoples, which he hopes the two parliaments do more to this end.
Wu also spoke highly of the party-to-party relationship betweenthe two nations, saying the Progressive Party of the Working People led by Christofias plays an important role in Cyprus and the CPC is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with it, Wu said.
Christofias said China has, in many years, adhered to the principled stance of upholding the international norms, promoting justice and opposing power politics, which he said Cyprus appreciates.
Cyprus thanked China's consistent stance on Cyprus' struggle toregain its territorial integrity, he said.
On bilateral relationship, Christofias said various parties in Cyprus value China's positive roles in international affairs and feel glad about the CPC's achievements in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
A stable yet strong China caters to the need of Asia and the world at large, he said.
The Cyprus government and people wish the Chinese party and people to score newer yet greater progress in implementing the resolutions adopted at the 16th National Congress of the CPC.
Soon after the meeting, Wu met with Nikos Anastasiades, president of the Democratic Rally of Cyprus, admiring his efforts in promoting the China-Cyprus relations.
The two sides agreed to continue to promote the relations between the two parties and the two countries.
Later on Monday, Wu, who kicked off his official good-will visit to Cyprus last Saturday, is scheduled to leave for Syria, the last leg of his three-nation Middle East tour.
Also on Monday, Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee who is accompanying Wu on the current tour, met with leaders of four Cypriot parties. Enditem
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China View
China to work for rational solution to Cyprus issue: senior official
www.chinaview.cn 2003-10-27 19:06:11
NICOSIA, Oct. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said here on Monday that China will make concerted efforts with the international community to seek a fair and reasonable solution to the Cyprus issue.
Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the PoliticalBureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, elaborated China's principled stance on the Cyprus issue during a meeting with CyprusPresident Tassos Papadopoulos.
Wu conveyed regards from Chinese President Hu Jintao to Papadopoulos who asked Wu to return his best wishes to Hu.
China and Cyprus support each other and have had good cooperation on international issues since the two countries forgeddiplomatic ties, Wu said.
The Chinese official said that China is satisfied with the current state of bilateral ties and that the new Chinese leadership attaches great importance to the China-Cyprus relationsand will work with Cyprus to push bilateral ties to a new high in the new century, in line with the five principles of peaceful coexistence.
On the party-to-party relations, Wu said the CPC is willing to undertake party-to-party exchanges and cooperation with the Democratic Party headed by Papadopoulos, to push forward the overall development of bilateral ties.
During the meeting, Papadopoulos congratulated China on its first manned space mission of Shenzhou-5.
On the Cyprus-China ties, he said this relationship can be cited as an example of state-to-state ties between developing nations, as it is based on equal footing, mutual support and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In recent years, the president said, both sides have carried out frequent high-level visits while the economic and trade ties have witnessed smooth development.
Cyprus expects both countries to score greater achievements in bilateral friendly cooperation in various fields, Papadopoulos said.
The two sides also exchanged views on the international situation and regional issues. Wu congratulated Papadopoulos on the signing of the document for Cyprus' accession to the European Union.
Papadopoulos thanked China for its support on the Cyprus issue,saying Cyprus will, as always, strengthen its consultation and cooperation with China on international issues.
Wu appreciated Cyprus' constant principled stance of adhering to the one-China policy.
Wu kicked off his official good-will visit to Cyprus Saturday, after concluding his Omani tour that started on Oct. 21.
Late on Monday, Wu is scheduled to leave for Syria, the last leg of his three-nation tour to the Middle East. Enditem
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EU business
EU enlargement commissioner says Turkey giving "mixed picture"
27 October 2003
Turkey is still sending a "mixed picture" in how it is fulfilling conditions for membership of the European Union, the EU commissioner for enlargement said in an interview published Monday.
Guenter Verheugen said EU leaders might not give an unconditional 'yes' or 'no' to starting accession talks with Turkey when they meet late next year to discuss Ankara's membership bid.
"It is open what recommendation we will make next year," Verheugen told the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine.
"But I do not accept that the only options are an unconditional yes or no. We will not shrink from an uncomfortable recommendation if necessary."
The European Union Commission -- the top EU executive body -- is scheduled to publish an annual report on November 5 on Turkey's preparations.
Another report due out late next year will then form the basis of the scheduled December 2004 meeting of EU leaders on whether to start accession talks.
If the decision is positive, they could begin in 2005.
Turkey, a mainly Muslim country which has been an EU candidate since 1999, is the only one among 13 would-be member states yet to start membership talks with the bloc.
Verheugen noted that Turkey was undertaking significant political reforms, but pointed to other issues where Ankara remained below EU standards, notably human rights -- particularly torture -- religious freedom and the role of the military in Turkish political life.
He said the opportunity for "really ground-breaking reform" was bigger than ever. "We have a government (in Turkey) that is grasping for reform as a goal in itself, independent of a rapprochement with Europe."
Verheugen warned Ankara not to use talks over the future of divided Cyprus as a lever with which to get into the European Union.
At the same time, he said the continued presence of Turkish soldiers in the Turkish Cypriot-ruled part of the Mediterranean island could influence public opinion against Turkey's membership.
Cyprus, divided since 1974, is due to become an EU member in May next year, but failure to reach a UN-sponsored political settlement before then will see only the Greek Cypriots benefit from EU accession, while the Turkish Cypriot north remains out in the cold.
Text and Picture Copyright © 2003 AFP. All other copyright © 2003 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.
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Reuters UK
Plato's treasure map renews Atlantis hunt
Mon 27 October, 2003 04:24
By Michele Kambas and Jean Christou
MOUNT OLYMPUS, Cyprus (Reuters) - Some say it is in the Aegean, others in the Azores, off the Celtic Ridge of Britain or even as far as the South China Sea, but an American researcher says everyone has been looking in the wrong place.
Atlantis was in Cyprus and ancient philosopher Plato is about to be vindicated, according to Robert Sarmast.
"The island of Cyprus was, or is, part of Atlantis -- a mountaintop," Sarmast said from his home in Los Angeles. "This region is at the heart of the ancient world."
Drawn from accounts by the ancient Athenian law maker Solon, Plato's description of a powerful civilisation destroyed by the wrath of God has fired the dreams of explorers for centuries.
Of late, it has inspired fantasies of webbed-limbed people living in glass bubbles on the sea bed; of old, it was thought by some to be the Garden of Eden, where mankind fell from God's grace.
Geologists say the land mass of Cyprus's central mountain range once formed the ocean floor. Sarmast says the mountainous island was the tip of the civilisation submerged in a devastating earthquake and flood thousands of years ago.
Using deep-sea imagery, simulations of the sea bed, and following some 50 clues found in Plato's Critias and Timaeus Dialogues, Sarmast says he has discovered a sunken rectangular land mass stretching northeast from Cyprus, towards Syria.
"Everything matches the descriptions in the dialogues of Atlantis to an uncanny degree," said Sarmast.
Using scientific data collected a decade ago, Sarmast says he came up with detailed three-dimensional maps and simulated models of the eastern Mediterranean basin.
"We lowered the sea level by 1,600 metres (5,250 feet) and an island popped up," he said.
Having written a book about his discovery, Sarmast now hopes to organise an expedition to the region for further research.
SCHOLARS SCEPTICAL
His theory has been challenged by archaeologists, who say the Atlantis story is a myth.
Sarmast, however, says the sheer volume of detail found in the dialogues is proof enough that something is lurking in the watery deep. "The dialogues read like a treasure map," he said.
Although theories on where Atlantis was are many and varied, most believers agree the ancient city was probably destroyed in the biblical flood, which has its parallel in the history of the Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Egyptians and South Americans.
Plato describes a series of worldwide floods culminating in the deluge of the Deucalion, dated by Greek historians to the end of the last Ice Age, about 10,000 BC.
According to those ancient texts, Atlantis was a powerful nation whose residents became so corrupted by greed and power that Zeus, the king of the gods, destroyed it.
Cypriot scholars are sceptical of Sarmast's conclusions.
"The possibility of Cyprus being Atlantis is next to zero," said Plato scholar Sofronis Sofroniou.
"Cyprus is mentioned by Homer and other people and there is no mention of that.
"If Cyprus was Atlantis, it would probably have been mentioned. There is absolutely no basis for this theory."
Sophocles Hadjisavvas, director of the Antiquities Department, agrees. "This is mere speculation and has nothing to do with reality," he said.
"Atlantis is mythology, but even mythology speaks of Atlantis being outside the Gates of Hercules in the Atlantic," he said, referring to the Straits of Gibraltar.
"But it is good for Cyprus tourism," he added.
Sarmast won't be swayed. "Heinrich Schliemann discovered Troy by following clues in Homer's Iliad," he said, referring to the German explorer who found what he thought was the ancient city of Troy in 1873. "Before that archaeologists said it was a myth. It wasn't, and nor is Atlantis."
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scotsman.com
Sun 26 Oct 2003
7:37am (UK)
Thieves Target Tourist Hotels
By David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent, PA News
A quarter of property stolen from holidaymakers this summer was taken from hotels, a survey said today.
A further 10% was stolen from vehicles – compared with just 3% of tourists having possessions stolen from the beach, retailer Argos said.
The survey showed that 61% of all personal theft on holiday was either muggings or pickpocketing.
The country with the most theft claims was France, followed by Greece, Spain, Dominican Republic, India, Cyprus, Canada, Italy, Australia and Jamaica.
Nearly half of all thefts from hotels occurred in Spain – 46% – followed by Turkey and Jamaica, both with 9% of the total.
Argos Travel Insurance surveyed more than 900 claims submitted from summer holidaymakers.
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The Washington Times
October 26, 2003
U.S. pushes confederation to unite Cyprus
By Andrew Borowiec
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
NICOSIA, Cyprus — After years of fruitless diplomacy, the United States has entered the tangle of divided Cyprus with a message of commitment to a controversial plan on how to unite the eastern Mediterranean island.
The aim is to facilitate a compromise between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and, by the same token, reduce the long-standing feud between Greece and Turkey, Washington's key allies in the area.
Bearing the name of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the plan has been criticized on both sides of the line dividing the island. It was bluntly rejected by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash but accepted — just as a basis for further negotiations — by the Greek Cypriots, Greece and Turkey.
U.S. Ambassador Michael Klosson has been spelling out Washington's view — without diplomatic jargon — in public statements aimed at the Turkish Cypriot community in the north of Cyprus. There was considerable criticism of such an approach — and accusations from some Turkish media of "meddling."
"A real solution," Mr. Klosson said this month, "one with tremendous opportunities, benefits and opportunities — and yes, also some uncertainties and cost — is now at hand. It is tangible. It can be realized."
This rare and direct U.S. political activity in a foreign country takes place amid preparations for two events likely to change the history of this island — tormented but prosperous on the Greek side, confused and controlled by the Turkish army in the north of the island.
One event is the official accession of Cyprus to the growing family of members of the European Union next May. The leadership of the Turkish Cypriots — population 200,000, compared with 750,000 Greek Cypriots — has refused to take part in the preparatory negotiations.
The other event is the December elections to the 50-member Turkish Cypriot parliament. The opposition to Mr. Denktash is wooing voters with the tantalizing prospect of participation in the prosperity of "the new Europe."
To Mr. Denktash, the Annan plan "is dead." He wants a separate government, a separate entity for the Turkish Cypriots, and because of years of conflict and what he calls "second-class citizenship," fears anything "Hellenic."
He reminds foreign visitors that "the Turkish Cypriot community looks upon Turkey as a motherland and a guarantor."
This is the time of year when autumn rains are about to revive the wild flowers that will soon carpet the parched Messaoria plain in the island's center. Most days are still sunny and glorious, without the oppressive heat of summer.
Politically, the island totters between expectations and fears about "becoming European" — most probably without the Turkish minority.
If that happens, what has become known as "the Cyprus problem" would continue to fester, generating tension between Greece and Turkey, something the United States is trying to defuse.
Washington believes that "the Annan plan" for a confederation of two Cypriot states represented internationally as one nation is the best way of ending the stalemate and beginning the work of putting the country together.
The Annan plan, Mr. Klosson told Turkish Cypriots, "is a comprehensive document for a functioning government and a road map to a brighter future. ... It does this by embracing the idea of a bizonal, bicommunal island with a single international personality."
The American ambassador and a number of senior Greek Cypriot and Greek officials believe that controversial details, such as territorial concessions and population transfers, could be worked out in further discussions.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "Turkey would like to analyze the Annan plan. It has its good points and bad points, but we are in favor of resolving this."
The Greek Cypriot government of President Tassos Papadopoulos has remained careful about Mr. Klosson's direct approach to the voters.
"We do not feel we should react to this, but we know the aim is to achieve a solution," said government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides.
Mr. Denktash did not hide his hostility.
He described Mr. Klosson's activity in favor of a solution and EU membership as "diplomatically unethical, unacceptable, uninvited interference" — and said he would ask Washington to instruct its diplomats to refrain from entering his sector and making hostile speeches on its territory.
The fortified U.S. Embassy is located in the Greek Cypriot part of the divided capital, Nicosia, but it maintains a small annex on the Turkish side, known as Lefkosa.
The tension between the president of the self-proclaimed "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) and Washington is in sharp contrast to the optimism generated by last April's opening of the Cypriot barricades.
Turkish Cypriots rushed to visit the long-forbidden south, while Greek Cypriot refugees could at least look at the homes they abandoned in the north of the Island after the 1974 Turkish landing. The homes now are inhabited either by Turkish Cypriots or settlers from Turkey.
The more than a million crossings of this island's dividing line in both directions since April demonstrated that the two Cypriot communities could co-exist without outward hostility or clashes. Area specialists point out, however, that visiting each other does not necessarily mean living together.
The United States appears concerned by the electoral activity in the north — particularly by the reported inflation of voting lists with the names of recently arrived Turkish immigrants, by threats of the "civil-defense corps" loyal to Mr. Denktash, and by his swelling of the civil service in exchange for votes against the three main opposition parties.
Mr. Denktash has denied importing voters or granting hurried citizenship to mainland Turks.
According to official figures, there are, at this stage, 140,832 registered voters in the TRNC — without counting several thousand "recently naturalized" immigrants from Turkey who are expected to support Mr. Denktash.
Mr. Denktash derives much of his comfort — and influence — from his intimate contact with leaders of the Turkish expeditionary corps, now estimated at 35,000. Western diplomats are concerned by the reported pro-Denktash activity by some army officers, as well as by visits to the TRNC by politicians from Turkey.
Such interference, according to one diplomatic assessment, undermines Turkey's democratic credentials at a time when it seeks approval of its EU membership application.
A typical Turkish Cypriot opposition view — as expressed by Mehmet Ali Talat, head of the leftist Republican Turkish Party — is a desire to resume talks with the Greek Cypriot side to be ready together for European Union membership next May 1.
"We have to seize this opportunity before it slips away," he said. "There was a timetable, but it was missed. We cannot afford any more delay."
Mr. Talat's statements have been backed by a series of street demonstrations in favor of EU membership, considered by many Turkish Cypriots to be the path to prosperity. Some Turkish Cypriots, including Suleyman Erguclu, owner of the daily Kibris, are openly optimistic.
"The opposition parties will win the elections, which means a defeat for Denktash," he said. "And by next May, we will join the EU together with the Greek Cypriots."
On the Greek side of the demarcation line, the government spokesman, Mr. Chrysostomides, insists that Greek Cypriots "seek an amelioration" of the Annan plan "but no departure from the plan, and no upset of its federal psychology."
The opening of the barricades, he said in an interview, "has created a sense of comfort, an easing of tension."
"It has inspired the Cypriots to find a way to live together," he said.
He added, however, that while "on the Greek Cypriot side the wish to find a solution is permanent, the problem is with the Turkish side."
"There is no evidence of good will from the leadership. There is no clear picture or message from Turkey," he said.
Mr. Chrysostomides insisted that even if there is no breakthrough before the May 1 EU accession, "We will pursue all necessary action that would lead to a solution." He sees EU membership as beneficial because "Cyprus is our country, but Europe is our future."
He conceded a number of difficulties in the event of Cyprus joining the EU without the Turkish Cypriots. If that happens, he said, "the entire country becomes an EU member — but in the occupied areas, EU laws cannot be applied. Visas and the demarcation line would become a problem."
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Farming Life
Potato Farmers Issue Ultimatum
Oct 25 2003
POTATO farmers in Cyprus have reportedly issued the Government with a one-month ultimatum to meet their demands or face industrial action which could include blockades of major roads with tractors.
Representatives of farming organisation met in Liopetri to discuss the current situation in the potato industry.
Farmers have long expressed their fears over their future once the island joins the European Union next year, when they will face unbridled competition while the Government will be forced to cut financial subsidies.
The meeting concluded with a decision to give the Government one month in which to hold meetings with farming organisations to negotiate measures and general policies it plans to follow in the industry.
Meanwhile, potato growers in Belgium have been advised to monitor stores carefully.
Early cases of breaking dormancy had been reported after only a few weeks of storage, a British Potato Council spokesman pointed out.
"Harvest is almost complete but supplies being offered to market have only increased slightly.
"Most are from late lifted crops as growers prefer to complete wheat drilling ot sugar beet harvesting rather than market potatoes from store.
"Processors have adequate raw material under contract, making any price rises unlikely in the new few weeks or at least until the final harvest estimate and the quality of stocks in known," the spokesman said.
"However, Bintje spot prices have increased slightly with most £90/tonne up to £103 for larger tuber size samples."
In Holland, growers in eastern regions have had disappointing yields this season and are confident that any free stocks will attract high prices.
The spokesman said: "Processing Bintje over 50mm size increased by around £7/tonne last week, to £116-£121 on the Rotterdam market quotation with over 40mm grades £95-£105.
"Only a small part of the Dutch crop is still in the field. Rain improved lifting conditions for the late harvested crops and, although dry matters have dropped to more reasonable levels, temperatures have now dropped sharply and caution to avoid bruising is still vital."
In Germany, harvesting is now completed. "On the fresh market, supplies are short as growers have just loaded stores and are reluctant to open them up again straight away," the spokesman said.
"Growers are able, therefore, to ask for higher prices. Processors are also finding supplies short and values are increasing on the spot market.
"Prices for 50mm-plus grades are £90-£100/tonne, 40-50mm, £65-£70, and small grade, 35-40mm, £46-£48/tonne."
In France, harvesting is coming to an end in the main production regions. "Supplies on markets are restricted at present as producers are busy with field work while the weather remains dry," the spokesman said.
"This is causing no problems for fresh buyers as demand is also very light.
"Processors are taking contracts with limited spot purchases. Bintje 50mm up are unchanged, at £98-£112/tonne, average £105; and 35mm up material is £87-£98/tonne."
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ZAMAN
National News
editor@zaman.com.tr
‘We Could be Sentenced to Billions of Euros in Damages at ECHR’
Ankara, TURKEY, October 25, 2003 -The Constitutional Court’s Chief Justice Mustafa Bumin stated that Turkey could be forced to pay billions of euros in damages at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) because of continuing law suits.
Bumin was speaking at a Human Rights Europe Convention and Administrative Judiciary symposium yesterday.
Bumin said that starting with the Constitutional Court, high-ranking judiciary officials are in contact with ECHR administrators. With the help of these contacts, there would be fewer applications to the ECHR and Turkey would be freed from the image that it violates human rights.
Bumin reminded that nearly 2,000 lawsuits against Turkey have been filed at the ECHR, including the Louzidou case that ended in Turkey having to pay 900,000 euros in damages.
Bumin said if similar results were forthcoming, Turkey could face billions of euros in damages.
‘We paid 21 million euros in damages’
Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin was also at the symposium. He emphasized that it was important to sign international agreements but stressed that implementation was more important.
He brought to attention the fact that applications to the ECHR regarding Turkey constitute 7 percent of the total, with the number of cases being 7,113.
Sahin stated that Turkey follows Russia and Poland and reminded that 2,000 applications were related to Cyprus. He added that Turkey has paid more than 21 million euros in damages.
Zaman / Ankara / TURKEY
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ZAMAN
Erdogan Gives Important Messages on N.Iraq
Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN, October 25, 2003 -Paying a visit to Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made important statements on foreign and domestic politics yesterday.
Erdogan commented on the Iraqi temporary Governing Council’s negative statements about Ankara.
Erdogan said the Council in Iraq resembled the temporary administration in Afghanistan, and added, “A temporary government is not a legitimate administration which has been approved by the whole Iraqi people.”
Erdogan stressed that not sending Turkish troops to Iraq would not lessen Turkey’s operational potential in Northern Iraq.
The Prime Minister continued to say that negotiations on Iraq have not ended yet and that American officials requested from Turkey 10 to 15 days time to do so.
“Sending troops there means we are taking a risk. We will take this risk for the Iraqi people, for Iraq’s happiness,” saying Erdogan emphasized that Ankara played a key role in the United Nations Security Council decision on Iraq and that Turkey has been one the most active countries on Iraq. He said the government’s policy on the Iraq issue would be better understood in the future.
On the Cyprus issue, the Prime Minister said they thought that the Annan plan was negotiable.
“However, when you say, ‘to negotiate the Annan plan is to give Cyprus away,’ you fall into a false position in the international arena. On the Greek side, E.U. membership is not the end of the world. But the approach of solving the Cyprus problem by saying, ‘we did it and it has
worked’, as if the two sides in Cyprus solved their problems internally, this is a risky approach.”
Erdogan also made important statements about the Republic Reception. The Prime Minister criticized President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for not inviting Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies’ wives, who wear headscarves, to the October 29th Republic Reception.
Erdogan noted that such thing had not occurred at the Presidential residence until two years ago, and asked: “So was the Republic damaged before that time? Was something happening there when deputies arrived with their wives? Or have we just declared the Republic?”
The Prime Minister said that the invitation issue, which was significantly occupying the agenda, bothered him.
Mustafa Unal / Dushanbe / TAJIKISTAN
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Kathimerini
25 October 2003
NEWS
Weston regrets Denktash snub
NICOSIA (AP) - US special envoy for Cyprus Thomas Weston said yesterday he regretted Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash’s refusal to meet him this week in what is the first snub of an American mediator to the island.
Denktash refused to meet Weston, who arrived on Thursday, accusing him of pressuring Turkish-Cypriots to turn against him. Denktash is facing strong opposition in the December vote for a house of representatives from Turkish Cypriots who reject his hardline views on reunification.
“The United States never indulges in pressure but tries to foster policies conducive to fulfillment of US interest,” Weston said at the end of his trip, which followed visits to Ankara and Athens. “I was told (Denktash) needed some rest and so I took it at that. I enjoy our meetings, so I regret we didn’t meet... there are no hard feelings.” Thousands of Turkish Cypriots marched last week against the granting of voting rights to thousands of pro-Denktash Turkish settlers. “We hope there is nothing going on that would be undemocratic in terms of [December’s vote],” Weston said.
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Voice of America
Dissent Grows Against Turkish Cypriot Leader Denktash
Nathan Morley
Nicosia
24 Oct 2003, 17:24 UTC
AP Photo: Turkish Cypriots demonstrate demanding their leader Denktash accept UN reunification plan
Turkish Cypriots are growing increasingly disenchanted with the leadership of President Rauf Denktash and, after 17 years of his rule, are taking their defiance to the streets. Their latest grievance is the government's decision to speed up the naturalization of incoming mainland Turks, which many here see as Mr. Denktash's way of bolstering the number of supporters for his hardline policies. Thousands of angry Turkish Cypriots demonstrated in Nicosia recently against their government, shutting down stores and offices. Such open challenge to government policies is rare in the isolated northern part of the divided island, and to many political observers, it is a sign of waning support for their leader, Rauf Denktash.
The trigger for the noisy protest was the government's decision to grant citizenship to thousands of Turkish settlers just ahead of the parliamentary election in December. The protest organizers said issuing mass citizenships is illegal and is designed to raise the number of voters who will support the government in the December elections.
The government has denied expedited naturalization is against the law, but the son of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktash, admits it was a political mistake.
AP Photo: Rauf Denktash
"We had applications waiting for the last two years and recently, about four or five months ago, the confirmation of these applications was speeded up by the government, which was a mistake," he admitted. "The recent speeding was quite wrong and I should say this was due to the coming elections.
"The number of people that actually received citizenship in the last two months is around 700," he continued. "Altogether there were 2,500 applications approved but only 750 of these have taken citizenship. The rest remains."
Cyprus has been divided along ethnic lines since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the northern part to put down a brief Greek Cypriot coup staged by the military junta then governing Greece. The Turkish Cypriot north, separated by a U.N. patrolled Green Line from the Greek Cypriot south, has never gained international recognition.
The United Nations has tried for years to bring the two sides together, but has never found a reunification formula acceptable to Mr. Denktash. The latest U.N. peace deal collapsed in March, and that's when opposition to the president's hard-line policies broke out into the open.
The failure of the plan has serious economic and political consequences for the Turkish side of Cyprus, because, without reunification, only the Greek part of Cyprus will join the European Union in 2004.
Oya Gurel, who represents the pro-unification Initiative for Peace and Democracy, says the people of Northern Cyprus are desperate for change.
"Most people want change; really we want change," said Ms. Gurel. "We really want a solution, we really want to go and be a member of the E.U. in May 2004. And we really want to have our real identity, because the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus have been left without any identity for 30 years.
"What our organization intends is, if pro-solution parties win the election, the first thing we are going to do is take Denktash from the negotiations and assign a new group or new people for the negotiations to make the solution come true," she added. "There can't be any message to give to Denktash, because he knows what he wants and what he wants is to rule in his little kingdom he created."
Mr. Denktash still enjoys popular support among many Turkish Cypriots who see his leadership as strong and decisive. But Angelina De Fazio, a columnist with the northern Cyprus newspaper, "Cyprus Today," says the leader's popularity is slipping.
"I will acknowledge there is division and it's getting worse all the time," said Angelina De Fazio. "It's the younger generation; they grew up without memories under Greek suppression so they don't understand why he [Mr. Denktash] is standing hard and firm. They've been dazzled by this flag waving of the EU membership and to do that they have to have a solution first. They don't appreciate that this president, [whom] I consider the father of north Cyprus, held this country together for 29 years."
For the first time in 17 years, Mr. Denktash faces organized opposition. Fifteen trade unions and minority parties have joined in a movement called "This Nation is Ours," to revive the U.N. plan and reunite Cyprus before the Greek Cypriot south joins the EU next May.
Across the green line, which divides the two communities, the Greek Cypriots are optimistic that there will be a change of administration in the north after the election. Michael Hajimicheal, of the Cyprus Inter-College, one of Nicosia's largest universities, says the current mood in the north points to a change of leadership.
"I think the Greek Cypriots are optimistic that there will be a regime change, because there needs to be a change," he said. "There are very few countries in the world that have had the same leadership for 30-40 years.
"The vast majority of Turkish Cypriots are totally against Denktash, and he is trying any means to satisfy his end, which is to remain in power," commented Mr. Hajimicheal. "He is shipping people in from Turkey to vote for him; that is totally undemocratic in a society which is joining the EU. Turkish Cypriots should be part of that process."
Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said he sees no chance of the divided island reuniting while Rauf Denktash remains in power in the Turkish part of Cyprus.
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turkishpress.com
Pangalos: Beginning Of E.U. Full Membership Negotiations With Turkey At End Of 2004 Is Not Impossible
Anadolu Agency: 10/24/2003
ANKARA - Former Greek foreign minister Teodoros Pangalos said on Friday that opening of European Union (EU) full membership negotiations with Turkey at the end of 2004 was possible.
Pangalos, who is in Ankara to watch Congress of Republican People's Party (CHP), told A.A correspondent that Turkey still had time to totally meet Copenhagen criteria.
Stressing importance of political will for fulfillment of Copenhagen criteria, Pangalos said that Turkish government had that political will.
Pangalos pointed to importance of ''implementation process'' and said that the sooner Turkey took action, the better it would be.
Starting membership talks with EU at the end of 2004 depended on Turkey's efforts, Pangalos stated.
Pangalos expressed pleasure to see reform packages in Turkey and claimed that ''there were still some steps to be taken in some fields like the influence of soldiers on politics.''
Stating that Cyprus issue had an important place in the same period, Pangalos said that Annan Plan should not be ignored in solution of the issue.
Pangalos noted that he was not totally satisfied with the plan but that the plan was the best among those which had been submitted so far although it had some shortcomings.
Stressing importance of co-existence of two people on the island and settlement of confidence, Pangalos said, ''we are talking about marriage of interests not a marriage of love.''
Pointing to strategic importance of solution of Cyprus issue, Pangalos said that Cyprus was not a precondition for Turkey's EU process.
But, Pangalos claimed, ''it would not be right for a country which had military presence on the island to expect to become an EU member.''
Pangalos said that Cyprus issue was the ''main issue'' between Turkey and Greece and claimed that issues like Aegean or air space were ''artificially created issues.''
Settlement of Cyprus issue as soon as possible and accession of a united Cyprus to EU were important, Pangalos stated.
Pangalos noted that the issue could be solved till May 2004 by a dynamic approach.
Evaluating Turkish-Greek relations, Pangalos expressed pleasure with the positive dialogue process between two countries and said that especially economic and commercial cooperation were for the benefit of two countries.
Pangalos noted that two countries should continue that dialogue in cooperation.
Pangalos, who did not want to comment on decision of Turkey to send soldiers to Iraq, said that Turkey was Iraq's neighbor and therefore, it was normal that it was approaching the issue in a different way than Greece.
Pangalos said that they could understand Turkey's concerns over Iraq issue.
Greece would not send soldiers to Iraq but could only extend humanitarian assistance, Pangalos pointed out.
Pangalos noted that ''they did not like being pushed into conflicts without being convinced.''
When reminded about his criticisms of Turkey when he was the foreign minister of Greece, Pangalos said that he was pleased to see developments in Turkey today.
Pangalos noted that he was the only person who opposed to some views in the European Commission in the past that Turkey should not be included in EU since it was a Muslim country.
(BRC-AY) 24.10.2003
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EUbusiness
EU envoy visits Cyprus to "express support" for island's reunification
24 October 2003
The EU regional policy commissioner said Friday he came to Cyprus to express support for a "political settlement" permitting reunification of the island and increased EU aid.
"I came here to give our support to the political settlement we are waiting for", based on the UN plan drawn up last year, Michel Barnier told reporters on the final day of a three-day visit.
The European Union has earmarked 101 million euros for urban and rural development, education, training and fisheries in Cyprus between 2004 and 2006.
Barnier said that, in the event of a settlement of the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Cypriot north would benefit by an additional 207 million euros to help reduce regional disparity and promote economic convergence with the wealthier Greek Cypriot south.
The EU commissioner met President Tassos Papadopoulos and Finance Minister Marcos Kyprianou, as well as Turkish Cypriot leaders and opposition party representatives.
Cyprus is scheduled to enter the European Union in May 2004, but failure to reach a UN-sponsored political settlement before then will see only the Greek Cypriots benefit from EU accession, while the Turkish Cypriot north remains out in the cold.
The UN plan effectively collapsed in March, with the world body laying the blame at the door of veteran Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops seized its northern third in response to an Athens-engineered coup in Nicosia seeking to unite the island with Greece.
Text and Picture Copyright © 2003 AFP. All other copyright © 2003 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.
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turkishpress.com
Persona Non Grata
BYEGM: 10/24/2003
BY MUMTAZ SOYSAL
CUMHURIYET- Columnist Mumtaz Soysal proposes using diplomatic conventions to end interference in Northern Cyprus. A summary of his column is as follows:
In the language of diplomacy, the Latin expression ‘persona grata’ means ‘a person welcomed and accepted.’ Diplomats are seen this way by the countries they’re posted in and they thereby benefit from certain important privileges and immunities. In return, there are certain conditions which they should take care to observe. For example, they aren’t to interfere in the domestic affairs of their host country. If they go against this, they face the danger of being declared ‘persona non grata,’ that is, ‘an unwelcome, undesirable person,’ and so being expelled from the country. All these matters were laid out in detailed international pacts in the 19th and 20th centuries, the latest being the 1975 Vienna Convention.
In addition, there are also ‘temporary or special representatives’ appointed in order to address a specific problem, provided that they too comply with the rules binding all other diplomats. If they don’t, naturally they would be declared ‘persona non grata.’ It’s no surprise, but most representatives from Western states posted in the Greek Cypriot administration are talking with Turkish Cypriot opposition parties and certain institutions calling themselves ‘non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs). Following these contacts, all in the runup to December’s Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) general elections, we’re hearing all sorts of rumors which might be considered ‘interfering in domestic affairs, materially and psychologically.’ It’s a complicated story: The TRNC isn’t recognized by these states, so it can’t protect from such damaging innuendo. So why doesn’t Turkey itself do something about it? We are considered an ‘invader’ on Cyprus and are even expected to pay compensation in European courts because of this. So why don’t we call up these countries’ ambassadors in Ankara and tell them to cease and desist? For example, whenever US Special Envoy for Cyprus Thomas Weston visits Ankara, he makes certain statements which can be considered interference in the upcoming elections. Would it be so difficult for us to tell him, ‘You’re dangerously close to being persona non grata here’?
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION
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Phantis.com
Professor Van Coufoudakis Appointed President of AHI Cyprus Chapter
Posted: October 23, 2003 at 17:31 PM EST (22:31 PM GMT)
WASHINGTON DC -- The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is pleased to announce the appointment of long-time member, supporter, and AHI Advisory Board member, Professor Van Coufoudakis, as president of the AHI Cyprus chapter. AHI founder, Eugene T. Rossides, said, "AHI is very honored to have Professor Coufoudakis lead our chapter in Cyprus. Professor Coufoudakis has been associated with the AHI almost from the beginning and is by far one of the leading authorities on the Cyprus question. His outstanding leadership skills throughout his career, and his deep commitment to the Hellenic community both in the U.S. and abroad uniquely qualify him for this new endeavor."
Professor Coufoudakis was recently appointed as Rector at Intercollege in Cyprus. He also serves as Dean Emeritus of the School of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science, and MPA from the University of Michigan, and B.A. from the American University of Beirut. He has written extensively on post-World War II U.S. foreign policy, and the politics, foreign and defense policies of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. His work has appeared in books and professional journals in the U.S., England, Belgium, Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
Professor Coufoudakis has edited three volumes of the Cyprus Yearbook (1993-95) Cyprus Research Center, KYKEM. Other books include, Superpower Strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean: Adaptation Strategies in the Foreign Policies of Greece, Turkey and Saudi Arabia (1989), published by the Foundation for Mediterranean Studies in Athens, and Greece and the New Balkans: Challenges and Opportunities, (1999) Pella Publishing Co., with Professors Harry Psomiades and A. Gerolymatos and The United States and Cyprus: Double Standards and the Rule of Law (2002) American Hellenic Institute Foundations; with Eugene T. Rossides.
Professor Coufoudakis is also the founder and chair of the Foundation for Hellenic Studies which is affiliated with The American Hellenic Institute Foundation.
His outstanding reputation and affiliations in Cyprus make him the ideal choice in the Chapter?s efforts to increase membership, activities and involvement.
For general information on AHI, see the website at www.ahiworld.org
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EUbusiness
EU regional policy chief in Cyprus to check progress on funding programmes
23 October 2003
EU regional policy commissioner Michel Barnier began contacts in Cyprus Thursday to review the island's ability to implement structural funding worth 101 million euros after EU membership in May 2004.
The French commissioner met Finance Minister Marcos Kyprianou to review the island's preparations for the implementation of structural funds after accession and discuss the future of cohesion policy.
The EU has slated 101 million euros between 2004-2006 for urban and rural development, education, training and fisheries from structural (52.8 million euros) and cohesion (48.2 million) funding.
The money will be spent over the three-year period to "make lives better for Cypriots," Barnier told reporters.
Barnier added that, in the event of a settlement to the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Cypriot north would benefit by an additional 207 million euros to help reduce regional disparity and promote economic convergence with the wealthier Greek Cypriot south.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops seized its northern third in response to an Athens-engineered Greek Cypriot military coup seeking to unite the island with Greece.
A failure to reach a UN-sponsored political settlement before next May, will see only the Greek Cypriots benefit from EU accession, and the Turkish Cypriot north remain out in the cold.
"I hope that a political solution to the division of the island can be found, so that new possibilities are opened also for the northern part of the island," said Barnier.
He said Cyprus was doing an "excellent job" in preparing the mechanisms and infrastruture to handle the effective administration of EU funds. Negotiations on EU funding needs to be wrapped up before January 1, 2004.
During his two-day visit Barnier will also have contacts with Turkish Cypriot leaders.
Text and Picture Copyright © 2003 AFP. All other copyright © 2003 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.
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The Miami Herald
Posted on Thu, Oct. 23, 2003
Aphrodite Turns Heads at NYC Exhibit
DAVID MINTHORN
Associated Press
NEW YORK -A nude torso of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, went on public display Thursday for the first time outside her mythical birthplace, an alluring marble sculpture from the first century B.C.
With her classic figure and glowing patina, "Aphrodite Anadyomene," or Aphrodite emerging from the sea, literally came out of the Mediterranean. The 3-foot-tall torso was recovered by divers at Na Paphos in 1956 on the southwest coast of Cyprus.
Bathed in soft light and surrounded by 88 other splendid relics, the goddess is displayed at the Onassis Cultural Center in midtown Manhattan in "From Ishtar to Aphrodite: 3200 Years of Cypriot Hellenism."
Though her head, arms and lower legs were lost over time, this Aphrodite weathered by sea water is comparable to Venus de Milo, the Louvre's famed sculpture. Venus is of the same century as Aphrodite, but from the Aegean island of Milos.
"The relationship between the narrow shoulders and long broad hips reflects that mannerism of Hellenistic sculpture" in the Cypriot Aphrodite, the exhibition catalog notes.
Aphrodite's raised right arm "probably once held the end of her tresses. Small rivet holes at the back of her hips suggest that a drapery could have covered part of her hips."
The works dating to 1450 B.C. include Bronze Age swords and spearheads, bracelets and other gold jewelry, ceramic amphorae and cups, silver coins, terra-cotta figurines and limestone busts.
The relics were mostly recovered from archaeological digs in Cyprus and, though breathtaking in quality, aren't even the most renowned from the eastern Mediterranean island, the organizers said.
A cast bronze tripod stand - 15 inches high and a foot in diameter with bovine feet and a bull's head adorning each leg - typifies a design invented in Cyprus, where copper mining enabled a rich tradition of bronze work.
The exhibition was mounted by the Cypriot government to show how the island served as a crucible of ancient civilizations - native Cypriot, Greek, Phoenician, Egyptian, Anatolian, Hittite and Syrian, among others.
Aphrodite evolved from the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar, the symbol of sexuality and war. In Syria and Palestine she was known as Astarte. In the poems of Homer she's called "the lady of Kypros" or Cyprus.
"In Cyprus she acquires all the attributes of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, born of the sea in the same way as the island itself, which was uplifted from the ocean 90 million years ago," Sophocles Hadjisavvas, director of the Cyprus Department of Antiquities, writes in the catalog.
The exhibition contends that Hellenistic culture became predominant from the 11th century B.C. with waves of immigrants fleeing the collapsing Mycenaean world - some 600 years before classical Athens reached its glory.
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