TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 95-12-28

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 243/95 28.12.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TURKEY: CU AGREEMENT `WILL NOT HARM' TIES WITH TURKISH CYPRIOTS

According to Anatolia Agency (27/12/95) Turkish Foreign Min- istry spokesman Omer Akbel said yesterday that Turkey's Customs Union agreement with the European Union will not harm its rela- tions with the "TRNC".

Akbel told a regular news conference that Court of Justice resolutions were one of the aspects which will play a consulta- tive role within the framework of Customs Union, adding that as Turkey was not a full member of the European Union it was not obliged to abide by the resolutions.

Akbel said necessary regulations were under way so as not to harm relations with the "TRNC" including the economic ones.

Furthermore, according to KIBRIS (28/12/95), when asked to comment on a question regarding Cyprus EU membership prior to Turkey's membership ambassador Akbel said: "There are interna- tional agreements and arrangements to which Turkey is also a party that define how a unified Cyprus, that has solved all its problems, will take part in the EU or in a similar political or economic integration. Naturally, one should consider it very nor- mal that Turkey will try and will demand to safeguard and reserve the rights recognized to it by these interational agreements".

(MY)

[02] SYRIAN FISHING BOAT SEIZED, CREW DETAINED

[03] DENKTASH DEPARTS TO MEET DEMIREL, DISCUSS CYPRUS, RELATIONS

Meanwhile, the ANATOLIA NEWS AGENCY has quoted a report by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that Denktash and Demirel will hold talks on current developments related to the Cyprus problem and the improvement of the relations between Turkey and the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in every field.

Denktash will return to the island on Friday, 29 December.

[04] CITRUS PRODUCTION ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE

He strongly denies the Denktash regime's excuse that the reason is the banning by the European Court of citrus exports from the occupied area to the EU countries.

"Those who put forward this excuse know very well that the EU Court decision remained on paper because citrus fruit produced in the TRNC are being sold all over Europe, packed in boxes where it is written "Produce of Turkey". To this effect, Cypfruvex estab- lished a separate firm in Mersin, Turkey, and registered it and the Citrus Fruit Producers Cooperative of Zodhia acts in partner- ship with this firm, SEC, registered in Mersin and citrus fruit packed in the occupied area are shipped to Europe via Turkey. The firm SEC is also exporting to Russia".

Sertac Gorguner strongly criticizes the Denktash regime of being responsible for this situation. (MY)

[05] TURKEY IS COOL TO THE NEW US INITIATIVE

The paper says that the reason for this is that the US is trying to water down Turkey's guarantorship rights.

The paper claims that in the US package, guarantorship right previously recognised to Greece and Turkey, covering the whole of the island, will be limited. Turkey will be guarantor to the occupied area and Greece to the free areas. And NATO or some other power will guarantee peace on the island. It also reports that the three freedoms, free settlement, right to ownership and free movement, will be limited, following the example of the agreement between Danmark and Germany. It also quotes that Denktash is ready to accept federal Cyprus's EU membership prior to Turkey's membership provided that he will be given definite guarantees about Turkey's EU membership.

Other points in the US package are: - The cyprus government will be warned that they cannot enter into the EU prior to a settlement. - There will be alternate presidency. - There will be reciprocal reduction of forces on the island.

[06] Mr. GILLES ANOUIL'S INTERVIEW (Continued from 22/12/95)

However, there are people who say that the best stance to be exhibited by the EU would be not to take into consideration the Greek Cypriot application and to tell them openly to first solve their problems. GILLES ANOUIL: Without considering the present situation, the hope for entering into the EU, the hope and the perspective for entering into the EU as Cyprus and as two communities, could be a catalyst. The EU has decided to help the two sides overcome the difficulties expressed by both of them regarding a federal future.

Let me give you an example regarding the security issue. The issues of security and guarantees are not only important for your side, they are also very important for the other side. So, the existing safeguards and guarantees, stipulated by the Zurich and London agreements, could be enlarged to include EU guarantees or NATO guarantees.

Another important point for the Turkish Cypriots is the issue of recognition. I have said time and again that I do not see, from the diplomatic point of view, a future recognition, because our member countries do not have official diplomatic relations with north Cyprus. However, the Turkish community could be recognized as an entity having special characteristics. This is an issue that can be negotiated in a clear and definite manner.

The Turkish Cypriot community will take part in the various fora of the community. Naturally, through federation there will be some Turkish Cypriot members in the parliament or colleagues in the European Commission. Thus by being in the House , not only they will have the chance to reach some documents, but they will be taking part in the commission's decisions. They will have the right to representation in all EU organs such as regional comittees. Here, the word "region" should not mislead you. Some areas in our member states have almost state character. Such as in Germany, which is a federal state. There are religional minis- ters and "land" ministers. In the German federation some "areas" take part in the decision making regarding "regions" under their responsibilities.

So all these elements will make it possible for the Turkish Cypriots to express their positions and be recognised as an entity , within the federal arrangements.

This is one element. I would like to add another element that has a wider content. It has a wider content because it is related to the experience that we have gained. When there is animosity or difficulties in the relations between two sides, membership of both sides in the EU will ease the work.

The two sides' membership in the EU will place the animosity, the friction and the existing differences between the two commu- nities in a wider area or a group, and the problem within a dif- ferent framework, at a higher, wider level. The present situation between the two communities (if it is possible to call it cat- and-dog life, always quarrelling) is the result of the fact that the problem is limited within the island only.

The opposition between the two communities will be eased if it is seen in a wider perspective and with the support and under- standing of the other member states.

(to be continued)