TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS (95-11-20)

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No.217/95 18-19-20.11.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Demirel: "Turkish Cypriots will continue to be under Turkey's guarantorship"

According to KIBRIS (18.11.95), Turkish President, Suleyman Demirel, has declared that whatever the case the Turkish Cypriots will continue to be under Turkey's guarantorship. He alleged that "Turkey will continue to defend its brethren's interests and rights stipulated in international agreements on Cyprus."

In a telephone interview during a special programme on illegal Bayrak TV, Demirel alleged that it is Turkey together with the Turkish Cypriot people and not the UN Peace Force that maintain peace on the island. (MY)

[02] Denktash-European Parliament report one-sided

According to KIBRIS (20.11.95), the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash has branded the European Parliament report on Cyprus one sided. He alleged that the report reflects the Greek Cypriot side's views.

Commenting on Bertens' report Denktash reiterated his known views that if Cyprus joins the EU then, the Turkish Cypriots will integrate with Turkey.

When asked to comment on the forthcoming visit of US Presidential envoy Richard Beattie, Denktash said: "We have been told that Beattie will not bring any package. He will come and talk to us and he will try to learn the situation. Hollbrooke may come afterwrds if the ground and the time are suitable". (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[03] Adali: Park at the Rocco Bastion aims at escalating animosity

Kutlu Adali (18.11.95) writing in YENIDUZEN criticizes the construction of the so-called "Children's Park" at the Paphos Gate. He says: "They were unable to find a place to build a children's park in Nicosia, and they built a park on a bastion which is the hottest point regarding the Greco-Turkish conflict. Today on this bastion Greek and Turkish fanatics stone each other. Tomorrow by throwing bombs, firing or attacking Greek Cypriots, innocent people playing or strolling in the park can become a target, and their lives can be in danger.

If we are going to build a park for civilians and our children, we first have to find a place where their lives and property will be safeguarded. Given last week's bloody events, when stones were thrown, which family will dare to send its child to this park? Apart from this I believe that this park has not been built for the benefit of children or the people, but only to make the Greek Cypriots angry, to escalate animosity, to delay a solution and to force people away from peace. If the mentality which turned the areas in Nicosia where parks could have been built, into concrete masses, is in goodwill, then parks should have been built on, under or around the walls. Instead concrete buildings were built on the more secure bastions of the wall and children's park on bastions which are less secure.

In reality the Greek Cypriots did not buy the children's park story. For months now it has been contended. The issue is exaggerated because the Greek Cypriots know something. We know that if the sides consider a place suitable, for military and defensive purposes they build posts, barricades and shelters. This war and defence preparations will continue until a settlement and peace are secured. It is not possible to stop this development. However, while searching for peace and a settlement one should avoid actions which will increase tension and animosity. People should be prepared for peace and not for war. People should not be provoked for war but brought together for friendship.

The Turkish Cypriots want no more animosity but peace and friendship. And they are expecting this kind of behaviour from the Greek Cypriots. Unfortunately the fanatics on both sides who do not want peace and friendship provoke the people against each other. On the Turkish side, the Turkish Cypriots were watching the events, staying far away from the areas where these activities were taking place. They were mainly Turks from Anatolia who came here and settled in the Greek Cypriot owned properties. The Turkish Cypriots are a modern and civilized community, who will not launch an attack with grey wolf emblems, chanting verses from the Koran, waving racist, three-crescent Turan flags etc. Those who are launching these attacks are after new war booty. Our country is no more ours. The people are not our people. Peace-loving Turkish Cypriots have emigrated, and in their place 5-10 times more Anatolian people have arrived.

The settlement is delaying because of this fact." (MY)