Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-11-05

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TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.198/96 5.11.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu threatens with "obstacles" on the so-called border.

[02] Turkish F-16 planes land in the pseudostate within framework of TAF exercises.

[03] Turkish Assembly Speaker regrets Russian Duma resolution on Cyprus.

[04] Ismet Kotak on the joint exercise with Turkey.

[05] So-called Education Minister to attend meetings in Baku.

[06] American Centre organizes lecture in occupied Nicosia.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Turkish journalist advocates the idea of "winning through sharing" for Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu threatens with "obstacles" on the so-called border

Eroglu, in turn, said that views were exchanged on the recent incidents, foreign policies, and economic issues at the meeting. Alleging that the Greek Cypriots are exaggerating in the actions they are staging in front of the Ledra Palace, Eroglu explained that the "TRNC" sustained a damage of 10,000 Pounds (not further specified) daily due to the closure of the "border" and called on the Greek Cypriot officials "not to be overjoyed over this".

Noting that he will issue orders to the "foreign minister" to explain to the United Nations the seriousness of this issue, Eroglu said they will put obstacles to those seeking to cross over into the free areas from the occupied north if the Greek Cypriot actions continue this week as well.

Claiming that the existence of the "TRNC" cannot be denied, Eroglu also claimed that the recent actions of the Greek Cypriots prove the existence of the "TRNC". Eroglu said that the stand to be adopted by the Turkish Cypriot side will be reviewed in the wake of the incidents during the meetings that will be held in Turkey.

[02] Turkish F-16 planes land in the pseudostate within framework of TAF exercises

The F-16 pilots presented TAF plaques to Rauf Denktash, "Assembly Speaker" Hakki Atun; "Prime Minister" Dervis Eroglu; the Turkish ambassador to occupied Nicosia, Lt. Gen. Ali Yalcin, so-called Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces commander; and Brigadier-General Hasan Peker, commander of the so-called security forces.

In a statement he issued to illegal BRT (Bayrak Radio and Television) at the airport, Denktash said that "the TRNC was witnessing a historical day with the arrival of the F-16 planes". He added that the arrival of F-16 planes reinforces the fact that motherland Turkey is always on the side of the Turkish Cypriots.

Atun, in turn, said that both the military exercises and the arrival of the F-16 planes carry great importance for the Turkish Cypriots.

Eroglu said that the F-16 planes bring a very meaningful message to the Turkish Cypriot on behalf of the whole of the TAF. Explaining that the arrival of F-16 planes proves once again that motherland Turkey stands by the Turkish Cypriot as always, Eroglu said: "We are filled with gratitude to Turkey and the TAF."

[03] Turkish Assembly Speaker regrets Russian Duma resolution on Cyprus

According to a statement issued by the TGNA Press and Public Relations Department, Kalemli sent a letter to Duma Chairman Gennadiy Seleznev, claiming that the resolution adopted by the Duma on 23 October has wrong elements in it caused by lack of information.

Kalemli alleged that "it is mostly thanks to the presence of the Turkish troops, which have the duty of protecting peace on the island, that there has not been any bloodshed for the past 21 years."

In his letter, Kalemli alleged that as much as the Greek Cypriots, the countries that sell them weapons too must realize that the arms buildup will not help solve the Cyprus problem. He claimed that the Russian Federation must stop selling arms to the Greek Cypriots.

Meanwhile, Gary Nell, deputy speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, has sent a reply letter to Kalemli, saying that his letter to the speaker of the Australian House of Representatives in connection with the Cyprus question was brought to the attention of all the members of the House. Nell said that Australia attaches special importance to its relations with Turkey due to their common historical and cultural heritage.

[04] Ismet Kotak on the joint exercise with Turkey

Party leader Ismet Kotak issued a written statement saying that he approves of the fact that Turkey is conducting -- without postponing -- its scheduled military exercises, which involve the pseudostate. He alleged out that the Toros-96 exercises will show once again "the futility of the enosis dream".

[05] So-called Education Minister to attend meetings in Baku

Caymaz, while in Baku, will also attend the 500th anniversary celebrations for the famous poet Fuzuli. He will also attend and address TURSOY, the Turkish Culture and Arts Joint Administration Meeting.

Caymaz will return to the occupied area an 11 November. (MY)

[06] American Centre organizes lecture in occupied Nicosia

The lecture is organized by the American Centre.

Dr. Ian O. Lesser is the author of the following works:

a. Turkey's New Geopolitics: From the Balkans to China (1993)

b. Security in the Mediterranean: New Perspectives and Results from the USA Point of View (1992).

c. "Bridge or Obstacle? Turkey and the West in the post cold era (1992). (MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Turkish journalist advocates the idea of "winning through sharing" for Cyprus

"We have to understand that nowadays it is not necessary that there should be a clear winner and a clear loser. Today it is possible to gain more through sharing.

We are unable to see that by bringing our rival to our level we will gain much more than if we knock him out.

Particularly we have to see this in the foreign policy matters. In order for one to understand what impossible situations could be created if one says `I want everything' instead of sharing, one has to look into the state of international affairs one is in today.

Sharing does not mean relinquishing all your rights to the other side. For this reason those who exhibit a hawkish stance in the Cyprus problem, are unaware of the damage they are causing to the Turkish Cypriots."

Ane he continues:

"We have promised you in our recent articles to open the Cyprus file. We are now opening this file...

Those who have massed unbelievable wealth in Cyprus exploiting the huge booty, are of course the enemies of peace. This class on both sides of the island will not accept the changing of the status quo in Cyprus.

The second group of people who are enemies of peace, who are a lot on both sides, are those who consider nationalism to be their monopoly. Those who think that they are the only patriots.

I am continuously receiving, from the silent majority living in the north of the island, messages in which they are asking for peace.

Well, how will this be realized?

First, by sitting around the negotiation table... And without abandoning the table and with very good negotiations.

That is, the politicians of both sides in Cyprus will take off their hats and their big brothers and sisters in Athens and in Ankara will adopt an encouraging stance regarding peace. That is, they have to support them.

Ankara, behind closed doors, is getting ready for this kind of support. It is getting ready because it has realized that, on the threshold of the year 2000, this problem cannot go on like this, it should not go on like this, and if it goes on like this, it will cause great harm to both Turkey and the TRNC... There are people in the TRNC as well who see this.

- Those who are involved -

The Turkish Foreign Ministry deputy Under-Secretary Ambassador Inal Batu is the man holding the Cyprus file in his hands. He says what he thinks. He played an important role in Dervish Eroglu becoming TRNC prime minister. He can successfully apply the fine art of the policy of " winning through sharing". Our Rome ambassador Umit Pamir is another diplomat of ours who could and should play an important role in the Cyprus issue.

Turkish Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Onur Oymen is the representative of the civilian wing of the state. He has the talent, the experience and the skill to stop the section of the people in the state who can be an obstacle to the peace efforts. The other deputy under-secretaries, general directors and sectional heads are all aware of the burden they will get rid off their shoulders.

The Chief of Staff is the military wing of the state. It is in close cooperation with the Foreign Ministry. The military wing of the state is in favour of peace. They do not like to make this issue a subject for heroism.

And finally, Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller... She is the person who, both in her capacity as prime minister and as foreign minister, always finds the Cyprus problem on the table in front of her during the negotiations she conducts. She has the last word regarding the action to be taken. And we can more or less guess what Ciller will say... If she has not changed her mind of course. One of the things she has to do is to convince Erbakan. As in the case of the IMF, where she was able to convince her partner, on this issue as well she will attempt to convince Erbakan.

The job of those who have seen the fact that gaining in foreign policy is through sharing, is difficult. Because whenever Turkey tries to get mobilized with a view to solving the Cyprus problem, definitely a domestic obstacle is put up. The exploiters in the TRNC immediately get mobilized... and the opposition in Ankara, whether knowingly or not, becomes an instrument for these people in the TRNC... And thus Cyprus is turned into a domestic policy issue as well as of heroism. And as the case is, a pitiful situation is created for both Turkey and the Turks in the TRNC.

What can I say to those who are unaware of this reality?... What a pity... Pity on you..." (MY)