TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS (95-11-15)

From: Panayiotis Zaphiris <pzaphiri@Glue.umd.edu>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No.214/95 15.11.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish high school students throw flowers at Greek peers

According to illegal Bayrak radio (14.11.95) high-school students of the "TRNC" yesterday went to the Ledra Palace checkpoint, protesting against Greek Cypriot students for their "provocations" at the Green Line and calling on them to come to the path of peace. The Turkish Cypriot students gave a memorandum to the UNFICYP officials at Ledra Palace claiming that during their "provocations" along the Green Line, the Greek Cypriot students injured citizens and journalists. Their "provocations" reached their culmination when they allegedly burned a Turkish flag. The memorandum says that provocative acts undermine the desire for peace, and adds that the "TRNC" youth will be loyal to Ataturk's principle of peace at home, peace in the world.

Through the UNFICYP, the Turkish Cypriot students at the Ledra Palace checkpoint sent flowers and olive branches to the Greek Cypriot students who allegedly hurled stones and burned the Turkish flag. Then, after receiving permission from the Turkish Cypriot police, the "TRNC" youth went near the Green Line and threw carnations at their Greek Cypriot peers.

[02] Turkish leaders congratulate Turkish Cypriots

According to Anatolia News Agency (14.11.95), President Suleyman Demirel, Premier Tansu Ciller, and Foreign Minister Deniz Baykal yesterday sent celebration messages to the "TRNC" on its 12th "anniversary of independence".

The messages said Turkey will always continue to support the "TRNC" and their peaceful efforts to have a lasting solution.

Demirel's message to "President" Rauf Denktash of the "TRNC" said Turkey called for a just and realistic solution to the Cyprus problem, adding that "Turkey believes that the solution could be reached with the free will of the two communities living in the island and through negotiations. Within this framework, sovereignty rights, political equality and security of the "TRNC people should be taken under guarantee. Turkey has provided assurance of peace and welfare due to its historical responsibilities in the region. I believe a happy and shining future is coming to the 'TRNC' people."

Ciller's message also extended support to "TRNC's" struggle for freedom, peace, equality and security. "Turkey appreciates the constructive struggles of the 'TRNC', for a lasting and just solution," she said.

Foreign Minister Deniz Baykal's message to Denktash said the "anniversary of its independence" is a concrete indication of the "TRNC" people's determination for freedom.

[03] Turkish Deputy Chief of Staff arrives for "anniversary"

According to illegal Bayrak radio (14.11.95) General Cevik Bir, Deputy Chief of the Turkish General Staff and General Ilhan Kilic, Secretary-General of the National Security Council have arrived in the "TRNC" to attend the 12th anniversary celebrations.

Gen. Bir and Gen. Kilic were received during a military ceremony at illegal Ercan (Tymbou) Airport. Present at the welcoming ceremony were "Prime Minister" Hakki Atun, Turkish "Ambassador" Aydan Karahan, Turkish "Peace Force" Commander Lieutenant General Hasan Kundakci, "Security Force" Commander Brigadier General Ismail Kacmaz, Foreign Affairs and Defense "Minister" Atay Ahmet Rasit, "Presidential Under Secretary" Gural Tanova, and other officials.

After their arrival, the visiting generals paid courtesy calls on "state and government officials". They were first what would have happened to the Turkish Cypriots if the "peace operation" had not been carried out. He pointed out that all the leaders in motherland Turkey have assured him that Cyprus is a very important island. He reiterated that only an agreement between the two communities is acceptable.

Denktash said that the Greek Cypriot side will never reach its aims.

The visiting generals were then received by "Assembly Speaker" Ayhan Halit Acarkan, who said that it is a great source of pleasure for the Turkish Cypriots to see the highest-ranking commanders from motherland Turkey near them at a time when the Greek Cypriot actions at the Green Line have been escalating. He stressed that the Turkish Cypriots have lived and will continue to live with the motherland.

Gen. Bir and Gen. Kilic then visited Hakki Atun, who said that the "TRNC" is the best example of the solidarity with motherland Turkey. He added that by sending its commanders of the highest rank to the "TRNC's" 12th anniversary celebrations, Turkey has shown its determination regarding the cause of Cyprus. He pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people are proud to be part of Turkey, adding that the "TRNC" will live forever enjoying its rights within the law.

In speeches during the visits, Gen. Bir and Gen. Kilic said that they were proud to be in Cyprus on the anniversary of the "TRNC". They expressed their belief that the "TRNC" will live forever.

[04] Denktash makes "Anniversary" speech

According to illegal Bayrak radio (14.11.95) the celebrations marking the "12th anniversary of the TRNC" have begun with a speech by Rauf Denktash on Bayrak radio.

In his message, Denktash asked that on this "12th anniversary of the TRNC" young people and children be told about the motives of those who are still shouting "Death to the Turkish Cypriots" and who claim that they will come to take possession of Turkish Cypriot territories. After having established the "republic," it is impossible to eradicate it, lower the flags, or ignore the experiences of the past 32 years, Denktash remarked. He stressed that it is impossible to reach an agreement on the basis of a framework that considers the Greek Cypriot side the legitimate government.

Denktash noted: "They want to drag us into the EU under the guise of the legitimate Cyprus Government, before reaching an agreement with us, before first determining our status and our identity, before the world recognizes us, and before the path to negotiations has been paved." He pointed out that President Clerides said that the guarantee agreement will be eliminated if Cyprus joins the EU. This factor alone, he added, is sufficient to conclude that this is not the time to join the EU, because the elimination of the guarantee agreement is tantamount to the annihilation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side is not against Europe but that the Greek Cypriots, who want to join the EU, are against the Turkish Cypriots, Denktash said that the Greek Cypriots want to join the EU in order to write the last chapter of their long-standing struggle against the Turkish Cypriots and that the Turkish Cypriot side is trying to explain this to Europe. Denktash added that the question of membership in the EU will be decided by the two communities following separate referendums, as proposed by the UN Secretary-General.

Denktash noted that there are difficulties in the economic field, but these can be overcome if the people claim their rights, embrace their parties and their leaders, tell their leaders what they want, and declare that the word of just one person is not enough. It is the duty of the leaders and the right of the people to resolve the Cyprus problem in the light of the principles accepted by the world until now, Denktash said. He remarked that given the scheme to join the EU, which would eliminate all this, it is everyone's right to join in unity and solidarity and to stress they will not be deceived by such schemes.

Denktash went on to say that the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey have declared that if the Greek Cypriots unilaterally join the EU as the sole representative of Cyprus, the "TRNC" will not be dragged along. In such an event, he added, the Turkish Cypriots will not be left stranded; they will conclude an agreement of integration with the motherland on the same level as that between the Greek Cypriots and the EU. Denktash reiterated that the Turkish Cypriots are not without an alternative.

Addressing the Greek Cypriots, Denktash asked: "Is it possible to possess Cyprus by telling lies, deceiving the world, portraying yourselves as something you are not, and pretending that you are the legitimate government of Cyprus?" Denktash also warned the Greek Cypriot side that it is impossible to take possession of the whole of Cyprus by means of armament efforts and invitations to a new war and in spite of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktash added that he wants to give the Turkish Cypriot people a message of hope - a message that a much better and more beautiful future awaits them despite all the difficulties. Brightness consists of our free and sovereign lives under the protection of the Turkish soldiers, as well as our ambition to make everything better and more beautiful, Denktash said. He added that "many mistakes were made, but as people who have established a republic, we can rectify them."

[05] Atun criticizes 'one sided' Commonwealth resolution.

According to illegal Bayrak radio (14.11.95) "Prime Minister" Hakki Atun has declared that the resolution on Cyprus adopted at the British Commonwealth meeting in New Zealand fails to reflect the facts, is analogous to Greek Cypriot views, and it does not contribute to the solution of the problem.

In a statement he issued yesterday in connection with the Commonwealth resolution, Atun remarked that President Clerides who participated in the meeting, does not have the right to represent the whole of Cyprus or the Turkish Cypriots, he can only represent the "Greek Cypriot Administration and the Greek Cypriot people". Atun pointed out that the resolution claims that the failure to solve the problem stems from a lack of political will on the part of the Turkish Cypriot side. This expression, "which appears to have been included in the resolution in line with Clerides' false claims, is not sufficient to conceal the intransigent attitude of the Greek Cypriot side," Atun stressed. The pseudo prime minister reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side wants to solve the problem and it has put forth the parameters necessary to this end.

Atun alleged that the side lacking political will is the Greek Cypriot side, "which is continuously arming itself, which is opposed to the implementation of the confidence-building measures, and which is trying to attain enosis indirectly by unilaterally joining the EU. He noted that the demilitarization of the island mentioned in the resolution is a proposal submitted by the Greek Cypriot side "with the sole aim of neutralizing Turkey's guarantee and camouflaging its armament efforts". He added that the demilitarization of the island, other than a number of soldiers to be agreed upon, can be discussed at the negotiating table within the framework of the guarantee agreement after reaching a settlement. The Turkish Cypriot side proposed to conclude a non-aggression agreement between the two sides for the interim period, Atun recalled, adding that this proposal was rejected by the Greek Cypriot side.

The resolution also includes an "unacceptable remark" on the withdrawal from the island of the Turkish colonists, Atun noted and said that "the situation of those who come to the TRNC from Turkey concerns only the Turkish Cypriot side". He added that the colonists who legally established businesses in the TRNC and who legally earned their citizenship rights, are protected by the laws of the TRNC". The Commonwealth can never contribute to peace or to a settlement through such one sided resolutions, Atun claimed.

[06] Denktash returns from Turkey, issues statement

According to illegal Bayrak radio (14.11.95) Rauf Denktash has said that the latest "provocations" prove once again that the Greek Cypriots want the whole of Cyprus and stressed that this will not be allowed. Denktash announced that he will hold contacts with political parties regarding the formation of a new "government" following the celebrations marking the 12th anniversary of the "TRNC".

In the statement he issued at illegal Tymbou Airport, upon his return from Turkey, Denktash reiterated his views regarding the adoption of a "presidential system" so as to avoid frequent "government" crisis and to establish an effective administration.

Referring to Greek Cypriot protests, Denktash said: "This mentality, which steers Greek Cypriot children to the 'borders' without giving a thought to humanity, is proof of the lack of interest in the coexistence of the two peoples, who are different from each other. Obviously, the Greek Cypriots want the whole of Cyprus. They should know that we will not allow this to happen."

Noting in his statement that division is a permanent fixture in Cyprus, Denktash said that President Clerides should meet him face to face for good neighbourly relations. Explaining that the messages coming from Cyprus do not display a conciliatory approach, Denktash reiterated that the main reason for Greek Cypriot intransigence is the green light given by the EU regarding its membership. Advising the people to keep their cool in the face of Greek Cypriot "provocations", Denktash added: "Let us protect our borders, let our flag fly high, and let us love our country."

Referring to the "government" crisis in the statement he issued upon returning from Turkey, Denktash said that he will start to hold contacts with parties immediately after the "anniversary" celebrations end and assign the task of forming the "government" to the suitable person.

In reply to a question, Denktash said that both the people and the country will be at ease if the Democratic Party (DP) and the National Unity Party (UBP) form a coalition. Explaining that DP was established in the wake of certain persons being unjustly expelled from the UBP, Denktash said: "Not a coalition but unity will be achieved in the event that the factors leading to their expulsion are eliminated."

Commenting on the issue of his past reservations about UBP leader Dervis Eroglu assuming the post of "prime minister", Denktash said that he expressed these reservations for the benefit of the people and not for personal reasons adding that he still believed that he was right on this issue. My views and approach toward Eroglu will probably be formulated in the coming days, he said.

Reiterating his views on the "presidential system", Denktash stressed that adopting a "presidential system" is essential in order to avoid frequent "government" crisis and establish an effective administration. Explaining that he is right in thinking this way, Denktash said that nobody should be disturbed by the discussions on this issue, and added: "There is no use in attacking me because of my views. Today I am here, tomorrow I will no longer be here. I am stating my views for the benefit of the people. The people are sick and tired of unstable 'government' which frequently undergo a crisis. The presidential system should be seriously discussed."