TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA (Cyprus PIO review) 96-03-22

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

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.54/96 22/3/96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish "envoy" vows continuation of Turkey's aid

TEXT:(PART II)

"QUESTION: The USA, the EU and the UN are asking for concessions from the Turkish side. They demand that Turkey exert pressure on the Turkish Cypriots for a political solution. What kind of concessions can Turkey make for a final settlement?

KARAHAN: The international community should realize that a settlement of the Cyprus problem cannot be reached only with the constructive stand of the Turkish side. Turkey can in no way exert pressure on the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey will continue with courage and dymamism to defend the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey will not support any settlement that will not be approved by the Turkish Cypriot people. If Turkey comes face to face with choosing between a bad solution that has no chance to last and the criticism and reaction of certain circles, then Turkey will be ready to face the unfair reactions.

On this occassion I would like once more to underline the mistake that is being made in trying to show that Turkey is a side in the settlement of the Cyprus problem. The sides in the Cyprus problem are the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides. Turkey is not a party in the negotiations, neither is any other country. Turkey encourages the Turkish Cypriots to find a peaceful settlement. There is an established mechanism for the settlement of the Cyprus problem.

The method of conducting intercommunal talks under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General has been adopted. Changing this mechanism is not envisaged.

QUESTION: Can the Aegean problem, the continental shelf, FIR, Thrace and other issues between Greece and Turkey lead to an armed conflict? Does Turkey consider Cyprus a separate problem, or as important and as having the same priority as the other issues?

KARAHAN: We see that Greece is following a non-friendly policy against Turkey. We expect our mutual friends to advise Greece and make it abandon this wrong and dangerous road. Greece's actions in the Aegean, the EU and in the International Organizations that harm Turkey's interests will not remain unanswered.

Greece should know that it will pay the price for every step that it takes against Turkey. It is observed that Greece is not properly evaluating Turkey's well measured and patient policies and that it follows government policies that are not compatible with friendship and good neighbourliness. However, it will be Greece which will bear the consequences resulting from this policy. Stating this, I would also like to stress the following: We want to establish friendly relations with Greece because we have common interests. Both countries are NATO members. We have common interests in the EU. Our peoples want friendship. We expect that the Greeks will realize as soon as possible that the road to the solution of the problems passes through dialogue with Turkey and negotiations. Similarly, we expect that Greece will extend support to the UN Secretary-General's efforts aimed at establishing peace on the island without activities that will threaten peace and stability in Cyprus.

QUESTION: Clerides, the representatives of the UN and the EU want the major part of the Turkish troops to withdraw from Cyprus. Do you think that a troop reduction or the demilitarization proposal put forward by Clerides are sincere proposals? To what extent could they contribute to final peace on the island?

KARAHAN: Turkey's military presence in Cyprus is based on the Treaty of Guarantee. In which framework and whey they will be reduced depends on the solution of the Cyprus problem. In this context I would like to state that after a final political settlement, Turkey's active and effective guarantorship will continue to be valid. Until a final settlement is reached Turkey will continue to defend the security needs of the TRNC and will take the necessary measures against the military escalation conducted by Greece and the Greek Cypriots.

QUESTION: Will Turkey be inclined to establish trade relations with southern Cyprus as a result of the Customs Unions agreement signed between Turkey and the EU? What will happen to its political, economic, trade and other relations with northern Cyprus?

KARAHAN: The provisions of the Turkey - EU Custons Union agreement do not prohibit trade and economic relations between Turkey and the TRNC. This is also mentioned in the joint communique of 28 December 1995. Turkey's integration process with the EU continues. The level Turkey has reached regarding democracy and the economy and the fulfillment of its legal responsibilities regarding the existing relations with the EU have brought Turkey nearer to EU membership. Within this framework, if one takes into consideration that following a final political settlement the federal Cyprus will also be a full EU member, it has been decided that a gradual harmonization process of relations will be put into effect.

QUESTION: What would be, from Turkey's point of view, the ideal settlement in Cyprus? Could putting into practice the Condidence Building Measures contribute to peace and to the final and just settlement of the Cyprus problem?

KARAHAN: The basic target of Turkey, which is aware of its historic responsibilities and the responsibilities emanating from the treaties and acts accordingly, is to defend the legitimate rights and the interests of the Turkish cypriot people based on the international agreements, as well as to safeguard their future in conditions of security and prosperity.

Turkey in exhibiting such a stance has always supported a realistic and lasting settlement in Cyprus. It believes that it is possible to reach an agreement between the two sides through free negotiations based on equality.

On the other hand, I would like to clearly stress the following: Turkey will not accept a settlement based on the Cyprus Republic that was dissolved in 1963. In other words, any solution will only be lasting if it takes into consideration the existing realities in Cyprus.

[At this point, and in reply to a question, Karahan said that Turkey's stand is that as long as no solution is found, the EU membership issue cannot be put on the agenda and that this view is shared by third countries as well.]

QUESTION: What kind of a settlement are Greece and the Greek Cypriots seeking? Do they want peace and a settlement? How do you evaluate their stance?

KARAHAN: It is wrong and adventurous to think that the Cyprus problem could be solved by exerting pressure on Turkey. Turkey has supported and will continue to support the settlement efforts of the Turkish Cypriots under President Denktash's leadership. (M.Y.)

[02] Osman Ertug writes to U.N. Secretary General

Ertug's letter was circulated as a UN document. (M.Y.)

[03] Turkish occupation forces commander: "Borders drawn with blood cannot change"

Speaking during the celebrations of Nevroz organized by the Turkish occupation forces HQ in the occupied area, General Kundakci added that with the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation the Turkish Cypriots together with Turkey, "have reached a happy ending in Cyprus". However, he added, the work is not completed. This success will be crowned with economic and cultural victory; we have succeeded to this point and we will definitely reach the desired goal".

He further said: "We are firm and strong. No one should try to test us. Everybody should live in their region in peace. The lines are drawn. Whatever is drawn with blood, cannot change". (M.Y.)