Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-11-15

From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.206/96 15.11.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments after meeting with Cavanaugh.

[02] Turkish delegation to participate in UDI ceremonies.

[03] Denktash's address on occasion of illegal UDI.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments after meeting with Cavanaugh

In a statement he made after the meeting, which lasted for approximately an hour, Denktash said that the statements by the US delegation and the US President were not issued for election purposes and that the US delegation had come to the island to prove this point. Explaining that Cavanaugh said that their purpose was not to brush aside the duties of the UN Secretary General and that they were not taking his place but trying to assist him, Denktash recounted that the US delegation said that the two communities were the ones that had to solve the Cyprus issue and that the delegation could only lend a helping hand.

Noting that the US officials offered to do everything necessary on the demilitarization issue, Denktash said: "We are ready for this."

Denktash added that he told them to think about ways to bring President Clerides to the negotiating table.

[02] Turkish delegation to participate in UDI ceremonies

At occupied Tymbou airport, "Assembly Speaker" Hakki Atun expressed his pleasure at the arrival of such a large delegation from Turkey and stated that this visit will give a message of unity and solidarity to the world.

Gurkan, in turn, said that "the Turkish Cypriot people, who have governed themselves since 1963, deserved to be an independent state", and claimed that the world can no longer turn a blind eye to this reality.

Rauf Denktash later met with the delegation. Gen. Koksal presented a statuette of Ataturk, which was sculpted by an Azeri sculptor, to Denktash.

During the meeting, Denktash said that the delegation, "which arrived from motherland Turkey, emphasized through this visit that the Turkish Cypriot is part of a supreme nation". He alleged that the necessary parameters for securing peace were already on the negotiating table and called the Greek Cypriots to establish peace instead of pursuing impossible dreams, as he put it.

Gul, in turn, stated that "the TRNC is an established state with all its bodies", and added: "The world should be aware of this. The Greek Cypriots, however, are the ones who have to be aware of this more than anybody." Describing the "TRNC" as a display window, Gul noted that everything possible will be done for this display window to have a powerful reflection in the world and for the Turkish Cypriots' level of prosperity to rise. Gul said that "1997 will be our year and everybody will be a witness to this."

[03] Denktash's address on occasion of illegal UDI

In his speech, after referring to "self-sacrifices" on the part of the Turkish Cypriots, to "own government" and "own territory as a result of these "sacrifices", he went on and said:

"I have great hopes for the coming year because there is a great awakening in our motherland to take a stand against the world, which seeks a quick solution to the Cyprus issue in favour of the Greek Cypriot side. Developments are being carefully followed. Extremely favourable decisions were made to save the economy from the difficulties it faces. Ankara has informed us that we will see the results of these decisions very soon. Consequently, we have to be patient for a while longer and under no circumstances become demoralized. Nothing should make us pessimistic and drive us to hopelessness. We will march toward better days. Our todays are better than our yesterdays, and our tomorrows will be much better than our todays. With this belief, we should give our utmost to whatever we are doing."

Referring to the Cyprus problem he said: "You are naturally worried about the Cyprus issue and where it is going. I know that the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot televisions carry panel meetings and statements, and everybody is wondering what is happening. I will tell you what will happen. What will happen is in our hands. We should decide what we want to happen. First, I do not know if we can live side by side with the Greek Cypriots in Cyprus without Turkey and its guarantee. Can you imagine what would have happened to us without Turkey's guarantee and if Turkey would not have saved us within the framework of the guarantee agreement? Do you know that all efforts exerted by the Greek Cypriot side and their supporters are aimed at isolating Cyprus from the Turkish guarantee? All efforts are directed along these lines. Why? Because the Greek Cypriot side knows very well that it is not and can never be considered the government of the whole of Cyprus even though it completed its 33d year under the name of the (word indistinct) government. Why? Because Turkey has guaranteed and will continue to guarantee the Turkish Cypriots' equality and sovereignty and their right to coexist in bizonality. The Greek Cypriots are exerting efforts to free themselves of this, and for this reason they want to drag us into an EU in which Turkey is not a member.

My dear brothers, the Cyprus Republic, which was established in 1960 and in which we are the founding partners, cannot undertake three things: First, it cannot decide on enosis. Second, it cannot decide on a division. Third, Cyprus cannot become a member of any organization in which both Turkey and Greece are not members, because the vital balance between Turkey and Greece has to be safeguarded. This is an essential right granted to us.

Certain necessary restrictions exist in Cyprus in order to safeguard and continue the mutual independence or independence in the form of bizonality in the future. It is as though the EU is saying that it does not recognize anybody's veto by disregarding these existing restrictions in the wake of an application submitted by the Greek Cypriots, who consider themselves the government of the whole of the Cyprus. Furthermore, it is as though the EU is saying that the Cyprus application will be carried forward. We ask them: Which Cyprus? Are you not aware that Cyprus has been divided into two for 33 years?"

And he continues: "What is the meaning of saying that Cyprus will be admitted to the EU without this union taking place? You will have admitted south Cyprus, which was the one that applied to the EU, in the event that you admit Cyprus to the EU without this unity taking place. You cannot drag us into this. You cannot make us become members in an organization which Greece has in the palm of its hand, without Turkey's membership, without Turkey standing beside us."

Persisting on the issue of the EU, addressing the Turkish Cypriots, he claimed:

"The only question we would like to ask is the following: Will you become a member of an EU which does not contain Turkey? Will you take to this road if your path is paved with gold? Will you take to this road? Are you aware what will happen in the event that the rights and agreements between Turkey and Cyprus are eliminated? Are you aware that the Greek Cypriots will do now five times more than what they did in Girne (Kyrenia)? Undoubtedly, the answers to all those questions are affirmative.

The economic development and all the rest that was promised to us are only inventions and deceptions. The EU, which disregards our rights and legislation, cannot force us to become members of an organization in which Greece is a member. You should realize this. The EU is fully aware that it would be causing great trouble for itself if it admits Cyprus without its being united. It is, moreover, aware that it would bring trouble and prompt new clashes in the region. Come let us explain these realities to the foreign diplomats and tell them: If you seek conciliation in Cyprus, you should tell the Greek Cypriots that you are aware that they are not the government of the Turkish Cypriots and that they do not have any right to act as the government of the Turkish Cypriots even though we acknowledged you as the legitimate government of Cyprus. For this reason, you should tell them, reach an agreement first, then hold a referendum on the EU and let the people decide whether they want to be members of it.

As the Turkish Cypriot people, securing Turkey's EU membership is the only condition we pose on our becoming members of the EU. We have no other conditions than this. Why? Because this right was granted to us in 1960. Nobody has a right to eliminate this right granted to us. Moreover, this right was not granted only to us. It was also granted to the 65 million citizens in Turkey on the issue of Cyprus. Nobody can or has the right to sacrifice Turkey and its 65 million citizens, our motherland, our beloved Turkey, on petty accounts. Let us explain to them all these things and not be afraid of the future." And he concluded:

"Before concluding my comments, I would like to explain why I believe that this 13th year will be a much better and auspicious year full of hope for us. Makarios was under the belief that Cyprus, which was the 13th island after 12 islands were given to Greece, said that the number 13, which is considered an unlucky number the world over, was his lucky number because Cyprus will be united with Greece as the 13th island. He believed in the number 13 for these reasons. I, in turn, believe in the number 13 with the conviction that this island will never be given to Greece, and for this reason I say that the 13th year will be a year of ascent for us. Either we will reach a real with the Greek Cypriots and formulate a favourable agreement which will proceed with Turkey's guarantee and all our rights, or we will go back to our own affairs, without giving a thought to what the Greek Cypriots are doing or will do. Let them come to us if they want to, we will say, and end this waiting period."