Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-12-02

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.217/96 30/11/1-2.12.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on return from Istanbul.

[02] Denktash's memoirs launched.

[03] Denktash meets Gul aides on economic protocol, reiterates claim of two states in Cyprus.

[04] Eroglu on need for Turkish support to pay "public salaries".

[05] Atun claims EU is following the wrong path in Cyprus.

[06] Turkey's NSC discusses security, provide comfort, Cyprus.

[07] Turkish side said to promote confederation in future.

[08] "Cyprus Turkish Airliness" to join $2m global air network.

[09] Dorana Hotel on sale at 700,000.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] Mumtaz Soysal: Cyprus a "trump card" for Turkey.

[11] Mehmet Ali Birand advocates confederation as the solution in Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on return from Istanbul

In a statement at occupied Tymbou airport, Denktash said that the message he wanted to give Turkey and the Greek Cypriots during his visit was that the Greek Cypriots will not be allowed to "dominate" the whole of Cyprus through the EU and that such a move will not be allowed to pass without a reaction.

Denktash reiterated that the elimination or dilution of the guarantees system will never be accepted. He pointed out that everything needed to discuss and to reach an agreement on is on the negotiating table, adding: "We will not allow the Greek Cypriots to look for other ways, to change the agenda, to posit the EU as a precondition, or to run away from the negotiating table."

[02] Denktash's memoirs launched

Denktash held a press conference to introduce the first volume of "Rauf Denktash's Memoirs" and told reporters that he was fighting as a footsoldier at the age of 21 "to prevent Enosis" and that later he became the spokesperson for these fighters.

"In the first volume there is a diary which recorded day to day what the Greeks did to us. But they try to make us forget these things. Whenever we refer to the past the Greeks say `forget the past and look to the future' and claim that the Cyprus question began in 1974. We need to refer back to 1955, 1963 and 1974", he said.

Denktash noted that he sees the Cyprus question as a problem for Turkey rather than just a problem for Cypriots. He said there have been some people among Turkish Cypriot "Mujahids" whose mistakes harmed their cause and continued: "I decided to exclude documents about these people from my memoirs. I want them to be published after my death when it is relevant."

"The memoirs of Rauf Denktash" will be six or seven volumes when completed and the second volume will be in print next month. The 680 page long first volume of his "Memoirs" is Denktash's 33rd book.

[03] Denktash meets Gul aides on economic protocol, reiterates claim of two states in Cyprus

Denktash met with Professor Irfan Gunduz and Omer Faruk Korkmaz, aides to Turkish State Minister Abdullah Gul, who is also responsible for Cyprus affairs. The meeting was about the joint economic cooperation protocol to be signed between Turkey and the pseudostate.

At the meeting, Denktash assessed the current stage of the Cyprus problem. He claimed that the Cyprus problem is moving in the direction the Greek Cypriots want but that this is the wrong direction.

Denktash claimed that the Greek Cypriots "are marching hand in hand with Greece in the wrong direction, ignoring the fact that the independence of the Turkish Cypriots is guaranteed in the future as well and the fact that there cannot be a formula without the continuation of Turkey's effective guarantees".

He alleged that the EU is falling into the "trap of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo", adding: "We have no choice but to resist."

Denktash said that while resisting, the Turkish Cypriots will not commit the mistake they committed in the past. He said: "We will try to develop and improve our economy with Turkey's help, and we will insistently tell the Greek Cypriots that as long as the 1960 agreements stand, Cyprus cannot become a member of an organization of which the two guarantor states are not members. The aim of the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo is not rational."

Denktash stated that Turkey and the TRNC are of one heart and that the Greek Cypriots cannot gain anything by arming themselves. He added: "Two states have been formed on the island. Since the Greek Cypriots say they will accept unification only if we accept their own state, this path has been closed."

[04] Eroglu on need for Turkish support to pay "public salaries"

Replying to correspondents questions, Eroglu said that the press reports were true when they said that the "government" had lost sleep over the salaries since 20 November.

He pointed out that when a state cannot pay salaries, that means it has gone bankrupt. Eroglu said his "government" asked Turkey for 470 billion Turkish lira and is waiting for a reply.

He pointed out that the preparations for the protocol to be singed with Turkey have been completed and that the delay is a result of the search for a suitable day when Prime Minister Erbakan will be in Ankara in order to sign it. Eroglu claimed that the delay in signing the protocol is a result of the sensitivity the two sides have shown with regard to the issue.

[05] Atun claims EU is following the wrong path in Cyprus

In a statement he issued, Atun recalled that the Cyprus Government participated in the joint EU parliamentary committee meetings. "This is the consequence of the illegal application for EU membership submitted by the Greek Cypriot Administration in 1990", Atun claimed. In his statement, Atun also claimed that the Greek Cypriot deputies who participated in the joint EU-Greek Cypriot Administration committee represent only their own community.

Recounting that the joint parliamentary committee intends to advance the Greek Cypriot application, Atun alleged that the decisions and recommendations emanating from this committee cannot contribute to efforts for a Cyprus solution.

[06] Turkey's NSC discusses security, provide comfort, Cyprus

Also attending the meeting were the prime minister, the foreign and deputy prime minister, the national defense minister, the interior minister, the force commanders, the Gendarmerie general commander, and the NSC secretary general.

The security and law and order situation throughout the country, as well as internal and external developments that affect this, were reviewed and assessed during the meeting.

The NSC also discussed the situation of the multinational force deployed in our country within the framework of Provide Comfort and whose mandate will end on 31 December 1996 and decided to continue the work that will constitute the basis for the decision to be adopted on this subject in view of the new conditions that have emerged in this regard.

Recent foreign political developments were also reviewed and appraised during the meeting. In this context, the NSC focused on the recent developments pertaining to the EU, Iraq, and Cyprus issues. The NSC decided to continue to effectively support the `TRNC' in the political and economic fields. The NSC also approved the political, economic, and social measures necessary to protect the rights and interests of the `TRNC' in the international community and decided to convey these measures to the Council of Ministers."

[07] Turkish side said to promote confederation in future

It further reports that these views will most probably be on the agenda when British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind visits the island this month as well as in the US initiative.

KIBRIS adds that the basic reason for the Turkish side's launching of this policy change stems from the Greek Cypriot side's insistence on the EU membership, refusal for a face-to-face meeting and the continued arming of the National Guard. (MY)

[08] "Cyprus Turkish Airliness" to join $2m global air network

The network system introduced to the press this month by "Cyprus Turkish Airlines (CTA)" will link occupied Tymbou airport to other airports worldwide, allowing automatic reservation of tickets elsewhere.

"CTA" public relations officer Metin Catan said the development also meant the name of "Ercan" (occupied Tymbou) would become known through the computer system at other airports, thus contributing to the promotion of the "TRNC".

[09] Dorana Hotel on sale at 700,000

The "vendors" will listen to personally-made offers starting from 700,000 pounds.

Press reports a few months ago said the property had been sold to Niyazi Aydeniz, a hotel owner, but, with the opening of a second hotel already on the horizon, he later changed his business plans.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] Mumtaz Soysal: Cyprus a "trump card" for Turkey

"Now I want to mention a more important point that makes the Cyprus problem the most valuable trump card for the Turkish diplomats, contrary to the conviction of many people that `Cyprus is a burden on Turkey's foreign policy.' It is as follows: Turkey and Greece, which are the motherlands of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities in Cyprus respectively, have to be considered in the effort that is made to find a new system for the island. This means that a solution cannot be valid and durable unless it is approved by Turkey. This will apply particularly to a solution that will envisage Cyprus' accession to the EU prior to Turkey becoming a member of that organization. The 1960 agreements do not allow northern Cyprus to agree to such a process. Needless to say, this situation will impede the success of the efforts to find a solution to the problem. So those who want a `successful' solution must favourably respond to Turkey's bid to join the EU. Otherwise, the solution that will be found, or the situation that will exist if a solution cannot be found, will make everyone uneasy.

Considering all this, Cyprus must be regarded as a trump card that can be skillfully used in Turkey's relations with the EU, particularly for Turkey's accession to the organization. Many things can be achieved through the approach that `the key to resolving the Cyprus problem is the simultaneous accession of both Turkey and Cyprus to the EU!' However, Turkey must not weaken its approach. Nor must it deviate from its thesis. It must be realized that such a change would be more dangerous than the approach that regards Cyprus as a `burden'."

[11] Mehmet Ali Birand advocates confederation as the solution in Cyprus

M. Ali Birand, writing in SABAH (30.11.96) under the title "It is time to give up federation in Cyprus", says: "Time has come for Turkey and the TRNC to take a final decision and to inform the world openly. We have two formulae in front of us.

One, is the federation formula. Although we have not believed in it, for years we have been talking about it time and again.

According to this formula, Cyprus will be again jointly administered but the Turkish community on certain issues will manage its own affairs. With this formula the accession to the EU will be realized.

The second formula is the TRNC's recognition as a separate state. The name of it, to say it otherwise, is confederation. They will enter into the EU as a two separate states structure but together. Both states will ran their own states.

Both Greek Cypriots and Europeans want federation. However, will federation function? Will the Turkish community as time passes by be able to stand on its own two feet or will it peter out?

Someone who visits the Turkish Cypriot side and then crosses into the Greek Cypriot region and carries out an investigation, can easily see that if the Turkish side enters into the EU within the framework of a federation, it will not be able on the long term to stand on its own two feet.

Unfortunately, all the bad things of Turkey have been transferred to the TRNC. We have put into practice Turkey's wrong economic model. We have turned the majority of the Turkish community into an army of retired people and we have pushed aside the private sector as though we wanted to punish it.

Full membership into the EU depends on the skill of the private sector.

The scene today is full of clear signs that the TRNC will peter out and be dissolved within a short time after entry to the EU.

On the other hand, the Greek Cypriot side is extremely organized. It has the situation completely under its control as a result of the ties it has developed for years with the EU member countries. Under these conditions the Greek Cypriots, from the economic point of view, will be the sole sovereign power on the island.

Apart from this, within the framework of the federation formula, we have to accept people's freedom of movement and right to own or sell property.

When a German can, as he pleases, buy or sell land anywhere in France or can get in or out of any EU country, we can not convince anybody to use a passport in small Cyprus in entering from one region to the other.

After some time the Greek Cypriots will start buying back their old homes and lands, and then tension will reescalate again. The situation as regards the security issue is more complex and difficult. With the federation formula it is almost impossible to secure the Turkish army's stay in the `TRNC'.

In the face of such background the `TRNC' and Turkey should adopt the confederation formula as soon as possible and announce this to the world.

With the help of the confederation, we will be able to get rid of the major part of the difficulties that I have listed above.

A huge storm will break in the west in the face of such a political change on the part of the Turkish side. We have to get ready for this. We must not panic in the face of pressure and blackmail. On the contrary. We have to resist.

If we conduct a reasonable campaign we will be able to get what we want, because the EU is getting into difficulty.

Everybody knows that in case there is no solution the island will be partitioned, the `TRNC' will integrate with Turkey and no one wants to undertake such a responsibility, and this is the crux of the matter.

Either Cyprus will be completely partitioned and there will be no hope for a settlement or the possibility of living together will be kept alive in the long term as two separate states.

If we act in a Turkish style and leave the decision on such an important issue to the last moment we will not be successful. If we draw our policy line now, including the final line of concessions and open our army to the world then we can put the Cyprus problem on its right path.

In the face of prevailing world conditions, Turkey's stance is justified. The TRNC is a very important element that cannot be wasted so easily."