Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 96-12-09

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.222/96 7-8-9.12.96

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Grey Wolves chairman in the occupied area issues more threats.

[02] Ciller holds news conference in London.

[03] Russian envoy on Ciller visit, bilateral ties, PKK, Cyprus.

[04] Denktash comments on EU membership, economic assistance.

[05] Denktash's letter to President Clerides published as UN Document.

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomes Albright nomination.

[07] Erbakan signs F-4 deal with Israel.

[08] Denktash denies EU debate to threaten Turkey's guarantee.

[09] So-called Assembly Committee seeks greater involvement in Cyprus issue.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Grey Wolves chairman in the occupied area issues more threats

"Mr. Prosecutor,

We have been informed that you have ordered the arrest of our valiant `Bozkurts' (Gray Wolves) in north Cyprus. Adopting decisions is not a feat but implementing them is. The `Bozkurts', who are the descendants of `Atilla', will wait to meet you at any border gate of your choosing if you feel that you are daring enough.

Had you been wise enough, you would not have adopted a decision you could not put into effect. The spider-minded bullies, who believe that they have authority over the entire island, will be crushed by the reality that the TRNC exists.

The `Noble Turkish Nation' has not maintained a policy of expansion and aggression in any part of the world. However, it will resolutely defend its rights and the territory that belongs to the `Turkish people' until it sheds the last drop of its blood. Drawing strength from the principle that human beings protect their territory and homeland, we are determined to continue to defend and protect our rights.

Remnants of the mosaic in Cyprus, whom we have allowed to exist and whose lineage is unknown, either obey the Turks or leave the island!...

The Greek Cypriots must realize that the Turkish Nation has always treated its friends in the way (poet) Yunus treated his friends and maintained a ruthless stand against its enemies in the past. So, we are convinced that they will do more harm than good to themselves if they maintain their meaningless and baseless calumnies and attacks, which fill us with hostility and worsen our grudge against them.

We warn them again. They will be crushed under the offensive decision that was adopted by a few marauders, who have described us as their target. They will definitely be helpless if we, too, decide to select targets.

They must realize that the provocative activities they have organized at the border for many years and the action they have taken to close the Ledra Palace border gate will lead to their demise.

It must be realized that our silence may be followed by a storm.

Signed: Mehmet Arslan, head of the TRNC Idealist Hearths Organization."

[02] Ciller holds news conference in London

One of the questions that was asked of Ciller at the news conference was whether there were any differences of views between the coalition partners on the issue of the Customs Union (CU). Ciller replied: "No, there are no differences of views within the government." Ciller also said that Turkey will take its place within the EU. Noting that the first step in that direction has been taken with the CU, Ciller said that, in this manner, great strides have been taken regarding Turkey's economic future. The EU, however, has yet to fulfill some of its obligations, she stressed, adding that all warnings and initiatives on the issue are continuing.

Referring to the initiatives taken by the Greek Cypriot side for full EU membership, Ciller repeated the claim that within the framework of the existing international agreements, this is legally impossible. She claimed that for this issue to be solved, Turkey, the "TRNC" and the Greek Cypriot side should simultaneously become full members in the EU. Ciller alleged: "If one wants a solution then this is the only way." She alleged that the leaders of many friendly European countries have understood and supported this viewpoint.

Ciller, who is in London to attend the Bosnia-Herzegovina Peace Implementation Conference, after her news conference, met with the foreign minister of the shadow cabinet established by the Labour Party. No statement was issued in connection with the meeting. She was to participate in a CNN program in the evening. She would then attend a dinner to be hosted by Malcolm Rifkind, British secretary of state for defense.

Furthermore, according to TRT (13:00 hours, 6.12.96) Ciller allocated a large portion of her news conference to her working meeting with Malcolm Rifkind, British secretary of state for defense. Explaining that the EU gave priority to Eastern European countries in its expansion plans, Ciller added that this state of affairs created great disappointment in Turkey. Recounting that Turkey is not opposed to EU membership for Eastern European countries, Ciller added: "On the matter of full EU membership, however, Turkey comes before these countries in terms of its political, legal, and economic structure". Noting that the British secretary of state for foreign affairs extended his support along this line, Ciller claimed that the EU needs Turkey's full membership much more than Turkey does.

Ciller recounted that views on the Cyprus question were exchanged with Rifkind, who will visit the island shortly. Recalling that the Greek Cypriot side launched initiatives for full membership in the EU, Ciller claimed: "This cannot be possible without first securing a lasting and just solution on the island. This issue", Ciller alleged, "can be resolved only if Turkey, the TRNC, and the Greek Cypriots are given full EU membership simultaneously."

[03] Russian envoy on Ciller visit, bilateral ties, PKK, Cyprus

The ambassador was replying to ANATOLIA's questions on the eve of the visit Tansu Ciller, foreign minister and deputy prime minister, will pay to Russia on 18 and 19 December. He said: "We are trying to maintain sound and constructive relations with Turkey. To be frank, certain developments that take place at times as a result of prejudices and as a result of the influence of certain circles who do not want the promotion of Turkish-Russian relations in every aspect still hinder the further development of our bilateral relations."

The ambassador expressed the belief that these difficulties will be overcome, adding: "Our ongoing political dialogue proves that. The visit to be paid to Moscow by Mrs. Ciller will make important contributions to this dialogue".

Kuznetsov said that during Ciller's visit, the first thing to be done naturally will be to comprehensively assess the level of bilateral relations. He added: "In addition to assessing the progress, the two sides will review certain unresolved issues as well as way of lifting the obstacles in the way of the further promotion of our relations."

Kuznetsov stressed that Russia particularly wants to develop its cooperation with Turkey in order to increase security, stability, and cooperation in Europe, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Black Sea regions. He said that during the talks in Moscow, the two sides will also discuss the joint struggle against terrorism and organized crime. He added that besides the political and economic fields, the time has come to add a renewed intensity to cultural, scientific, and technical relations in order to strengthen the mutual understanding between the peoples of Turkey and Russia.

On the sale of Russian Weapons to the Greek Cypriots, Kuznetsov said: "The Cyprus Republic is a sovereign state represented at the United Nations. Consequently, it has the right to decide from what country to buy the weapons it needs for its own defense. If you view this from the angle of Russian arms exporters, the issue is one of commercial, not political, interests."

Amb. Kuznetsov pointed out that as a member of the UN Security Council, Russia contributes to the efforts toward a comprehensive and permanent solution acceptable to both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. He added that Russia is following the lack of a solution and the tension on the island with regret.

The Russian ambassador pointed out that his country is in favour of Cyprus' disarmament "because such a measure can undoubtedly be a very important factor that can help establish peace between the two communities and also help achieve a permanent solution to the situation that has developed as a result of the Cyprus issue."

[04] Denktash comments on EU membership, economic assistance

The second meeting of the Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Stock Exchanges (TOB) was held in occupied Kyrenia.

Addressing the opening session of the meeting, Denktash called on the foreign diplomats to exert efforts to lift the Greek Cypriot embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots instead of taking pity on the "TRNC" and trying to show them the way.

Stating that the response to be given to those who urge the Turkish Cypriots to make haste because the EU will enrich them should be that "the Turkish Cypriot prefers to go hungry than have worries on a full stomach", Denktash claimed that the pseudostate is neither hungry nor lacking and can stand on its own two feet and prosper as far as the help extended by Turkey continues He also stated that the Turkish Cypriots "will in no way succumb and never give up the Turkish Cypriot land to the Greek Cypriots."

Denktash expressed belief that the "TRNC" will develop economically through the assistance extended by the young Turkish businessmen. Noting that mistakes had been committed in the past on the issue of economics, Denktash stressed: "The biggest mistake was to have one state extend aid to another, look for solutions in the state budgets, and not have the private sector involved in north Cyprus."

[05] Denktash's letter to President Clerides published as UN Document

In his letter, Denktash proposes that the "police force" of the pseudostate and that of the Cyprus government cooperate when necessary. He says that such cooperation will not affect the political stands of the two sides.

[06] Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomes Albright nomination

High ranking officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry told ANATOLIA AGENCY that Albright is impartial with regards to the Cyprus problem and the Turkish-Greek conflict. Albright, in her capacity as the permanent US representative to the United Nations, held contacts in the region last summer on the issue of confidence-building measures in Cyprus and the Aegean.

[07] Erbakan signs F-4 deal with Israel

In a statement he issued to Anatolia Agency, an Israeli Embassy spokesman in Ankara said: "We are extremely pleased that Erbakan signed the project in question after a lengthy period of negotiations."

The Israeli spokesman, who expressed the hope that the project in question will be implemented soon, said: "Turkish-Israeli cooperation is not directed against any third country. We have always sought to further our cooperation with Turkey in all fields".

The approximately $600-million project, which envisages the modernization of 54 F-4 warplanes belonging to the Turkish Air Forces, will be financed by Israeli credit.

The modernization of 26 of the planes included in the project, which is expected to be completed within five years, will be undertaken in Israel by Israel Aircraft Industries.

[08] Denktash denies EU debate to threaten Turkey's guarantee

Denktash went to Istanbul on a one-day visit yesterday morning. In a statement to illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency) before his departure, Denktash commented on remarks by Ferdi Salih Soyer, Republican Turkish Party secretary general, who said that the argument that Cyprus cannot join the EU without Turkey will eventually lead to a debate on Turkey's rights as a guarantor. Soyer also criticized Tansu Ciller, Turkish foreign minister and deputy prime minister, and Rauf Denktash for their remarks on this issue.

Denktash claimed that a great majority of the Turkish Cypriots realize that joining the EU without Turkey would be dangerous.

On the 1960 agreements, Denktash said: "The restrictions in the agreements do not allow for the will of the Cypriot people to play in these matters. In other words, with our signatures we confirmed that we waive our will regarding these matters so that we can continue to exist in Cyprus, so that there will not be enosis."

He added that Tansu Ciller chose a very appropriate time for her recent statement in London in which she said that the 1960 agreements grant common rights to Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. He said: "On behalf of my people, who have been worrying for months, I thank Mrs. Ciller for her clear and unequivocal remarks".

[09] So-called Assembly Committee seeks greater involvement in Cyprus issue

In a statement he issued after the meeting, Atakol noted that the Cyprus issue will gain momentum in the days ahead and added that the "committee" which is also in charge of foreign relations, held a new kind of discussion on the Cyprus issue during today's meeting in a bid to contribute to this issue. Explaining that the "committe" members agreed that the so-called foreign minister should come and brief the "committee" from time to time, Atakol said: "The committee members also expressed their desire to have the president brief them on the Cyprus issue."

He said that contact will be established with the Turkish Republic's Foreign Affairs Committee and that initiatives will be launched toward holding an exchange of views on the Cyprus issue at a joint meeting.

Assessing the coming period as a critical period in terms of the Cyprus issue, Atakol stressed that the "committee" will continue its work so that the "state" will always be able to participate in the Cyprus issue. EF/SK