TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS (11-16-95)

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No.215/95 16.11.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Assembly speaker addresses "celebrations"

According to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 15.11.95) Ismet Sezgin, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, has addressed the ceremony marking the so-called 12th anniversary of the establishment of the pseudostate.

Sezgin stated that the Turkish nation is and will continue to support the Turkish Cypriots in their "just and courageous struggle".

Expressing the belief that the "TRNC", even though a new "state", will overcome all hardships through its dynamic structure, Sezgin said that a bright future awaits the Turkish Cypriots within their unified, united, free, and pluralistic framework.

Alleging that the international community should distinguish between right and wrong and justice and injustice where it concerns the Cyprus issue, Sezgin claimed that the world will finally realize that there are two sovereign states in Cyprus and that neither side can claim sovereignty over each other.

Stating the Turkish Cypriot people are in favour of peace, conciliation, and negotiations, Sezgin added that Turkey thinks it best that the two leaders in Cyprus should meet without any preconditions.

Adding that no one should have any doubts that the Turkish Cypriot people will continue to live in security and tranquility under their own administration, Sezgin stressed that Turkey is the guarantor of peace and tranquility in the island and that it will continue to keep its solemn promise and fulfill its historical obligations. Alleging that the Turkish Cypriots are an inseparable part of the Turkish nation, Sezgin added that the Cyprus issue is part of the values adopted by the Turkish nation such as freedom, independence, and sovereignty.

Sezgin concluded: "I wish you a bright future full of tranquility, security, and prosperity. Long live the TRNC."

[02] Denktash says Turks will not concede equality, sovereignty

According to illegal Bayrak radio (11:30 hours, 15.11.95) Rauf Denktash has stated that the Turkish Cypriots "will not give away their equality and sovereignty", alleging that the "flag" of the pseudostate is the symbol of the community's independence.

Addressing a ceremony to mark the so-called 12th anniversary of the establishment of the pseudostate, Denktash said that Turkey will never allow Cyprus to become a Greek dagger. Denktash began his speech with the slogan "Long live Turkey" in response to the concluding remarks of Turkish Assembly Speaker Ismet Sezgin's speech, "Long live the TRNC". Denktash claimed that had it not been for Turkey's intervention, the Turkish Cypriots would have been destroyed. He added: "Turkey kept its promise, intervened, and buried its martyrs on our soil. We are truly grateful."

He further added that the Turkish Cypriots will not give up bizonality, equality, and sovereignty, adding that the "TRNC flag" is the symbol of Turkish Cypriot sovereignty. He concluded: "This is the foundation of peace."

[03] Ciller to Madrid to hold contacts on Customs Union issue

According to TRT television network (18:00 hours, 15.11.95), Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller has left on a one-day working visit to Spain. In a news conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to her departure, Ciller pointed out that her visit is taking place on the eve of the European Parliament vote on Turkey's membership in the Customs Union (CU).

Recounting that she aims to explain Turkey's stand on Customs Union membership during her contacts in Madrid in a bid to renew the initiatives on the topic, Ciller added that her visit has gained importance since Spain is serving as EU term president. During her meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Gonzales, Ciller said, they will exchange views on long-term integration with the Customs Union and EU and confirm their political will to that effect. Ciller further stated that she will stress the importance of the support Spain has extended to Turkey on these issues.

[04] Mainland Turks violently demonstrate along the green line

ORTAM and YENIDUZEN (16.11.95) are strongly critical of the mainly mainland extreme right groups' violent demonstration in the buffer zone, yesterday.

YENIDUZEN says that around 2500 fanatics, "instigated by facsist organizations, massed up along the border and when they did not find Greek Cypriots in front of them to throw stones at, they started throwing stones at their own people; the Turkish Cypriot police and the soldiers".

YENIDUZEN goes on and reports that "these fanatics come from Kyrenia and Famagusta and are mainly mainland Turks, wearing grey wolf caps and carrying grey wolf emblems." (the grey wolf is the symbol of fascists in Turkey). "The molotov cocktails thrown by the fanatics caused fire in the Taksim stadium. From the stones thrown by the fanatics three police were wounded", concluded the paper.

In its turn, ORTAM says that a group of idealist students, shouting religious slogans used by fundamentalists such as "Allah is great - O Allah - " etc, entered and violated the buffer zone and started throwing stones, bottles, potatoes filled with blades, iron chips etc. The fanatics, reports the paper, were carrying placards writing "Messaoria is the den for grey wolves", "You will be suffocated in red and white" (implying red and white Turkish and grey wolves flags), "The grey wolves are coming, the bastard Greeks are running away", "Cyprus is Turkish and shall remain Turkish", "the Greeks are bastards and shall remain bastards". (MY)