Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-01-02

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No.1/97 1-2.1.97

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash expresses opposition to multinational force.

[02] Etkin claims Russian Spokesman remarks are "totally unacceptable".

[03] On the recent population census.

[04] Denktash criticizes Turkey for lack of aid.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash expresses opposition to multinational force

In reply to a question by illegal TAK (Turkish Cypriot News Agency) on Greek Cypriot press reports about US initiatives to station a Bosnia-type multinational force in Cyprus, Denktash claimed: "This is impossible. It is contrary to the 1960 guarantee system. It is contrary to the agreements." He said that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to reject all initiatives that disrupt the 1960 foundation and foreign and domestic equality. He added: "Such a force cannot be forcefully imposed on us. It also destroys the formula of solving the problem through negotiations. If the United States wants to be helpful then let it tell the Greek Cypriot side that the Greek Cypriots have no right to represent the entire island and that it recognizes the rights, authorities and status of the Turkish Cypriots based on the 1969 agreements. This would be enough." He asked "those who have brought Cyprus to the brink of a war through their erroneous politicies" to abandon their policy of "coddling" the Greek Cypriots.

In reply to a question on the possibility of a UN Security Council resolution on the issue, Denktash said that this reflects the wishes and expectations of the Greek Cypriots. He continued: "If we, as the Turkish Cypriot side, do not accept a multinational force, if we do not allow this force to enter our Territories, if we refuse to sit at the negotiating table because of this force, and if we close our borders, then what will happen? Will this force unite with the Greek Cypriots and attack us? Is this possible? Greek Cypriot press reports note that the Greek Cypriot administration wants the Security Council to adopt a binding resolution on the issue. Of course they want it. Let them."

[03] Etkin claims Russian Spokesman remarks are "totally unacceptable"

In a written statement, Etkin claimed that it is impossible to associate the efforts exerted for a Cyprus solution with goodwill when they are stirred to those platforms where the Turkish Cypriots are not represented. Alleging that the Russian Spokesman disregarded the Cyprus realities when he issued a call to pursue the Greek Cypriot application for EU membership, Etkin further claimed that "it is totally unacceptable to take up the Cyprus issue at the EU, where Greece is a full member, and drag the Turkish Cypriot community to this adventure."

[02] On the recent population census

Talat is asking whether the number 198,000, published recently in the press, includes : a) military staff and their families, b) foreign students, c)tourists, d) illegal workers.

YENI YAG, referring to the results of the census, writes: "Surprise at the end of the year: The de facto population of the de facto regime - It is said that we have surpassed 190,000." EF/

[03] Denktash criticizes Turkey for lack of aid

Asked to comment on Turkey's policy, Denktash said: "Considering the past 23 years, the peace operation was very successful. It saved the Turkish Cypriot people. However, a long-term plan or program has not been put into effect to resettle the liberated Turkish Cypriots, encourage the young Turkish Cypriots not to immigrate, and have Turkish investors invest in north Cyprus. The relations between Turkey and the governments that have come to power in north Cyprus have been in the form of `Our budget deficit totals so much. Can you help us?' `Yes, I can', or `I can give you so much.' Unfortunately, neither has a long-term plan been put into effect nor has any preparation been made to create prosperity after Turkey landed on the island. We have always thanked Turkey for its support. However, had Turkey considered how it wanted to see the 150,000 Turkish Cypriots fare in the long run, the Greek Cypriots would have said that the problem had been solved when they looked at the north. Now they look at the north and say that they will see the Turkish Cypriots again if the Turkish troops withdraw from the island.

Turkey could have converted the TRNC into a factor which would prove that Turkey helps people achieve freedom, equality, democracy, economic development, and prosperity. Ankara could have said that it intends to do the same in Turkey. Yes, it could have approached this small republic in that way."

Asked about Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan's approach on Cyprus, he said: "Mr. Erbakan is as enthusiastic about Cyprus as he was in 1974. He has said that he will do much better things for Cyprus". And he added claiming that what they should do is to counter the steps Greece will take with the Greek Cypriots. "We should have done that when the Greek Cypriots imported tanks to disrupt the balance that has established peace in Cyprus. Had Turkey warned that it `will take the necessary measures,' the Greek Cypriots would not have continued to buy arms. However, we have given them the opportunity to kindle a war in Cyprus. We have given them time to prepare for it by remaining inactive", he claimed.

Asked to refer to the main points of the economic "protocol", Denktash said: "It will be based on one of the provisions of the protocol we signed in 1995, a provision which says that the Turkish Cypriot people's economic situation will be improved. It will be one that will open the door for the alignment and unification of the TRNC economy with the economy of Turkey. It will pave the way for the implementation of the agreements that call for the removal of bureaucratic obstacles, the unobstructed sale of north Cyprus' products in Turkey, and the solution of the problems related to customs procedures. Furthermore, it will provide for the equal treatment of the Turkish Cypriots who work in Turkey. They have been regarded as foreigners until now. So they have had to fulfill legal formalities every two or three months. That state of affairs will be removed."

Asked if a provision on the issuing of Turkish passports to Turkish Cypriots will be included in the protocol, Denktash said: "We applied for Turkish passports in order to be able to travel abroad. Turkish passports may be issued to all of us indefinitely. I do not believe that a problem will exist in that regard."

In reply to a relevant quesiton, Denktash said: "An agreement that may be singed by Glafcos Clerides and Rauf Denktash cannot be put into effect even for a single day if the two communities object to it. The British officials must be aware of that because Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind has informed me that Clerides plans to issue an auspicious message to his people on the occasion of the new year."

In reply to a comment that himself and Turkey have tried to explain the Turkish side's case on Cyprus for many years but their effort has been unsuccessful, Denktash said:

"I conveyed a request to Turkey a very long time ago; however, it was not granted. I asked for a Cyprus desk in the Turkish embassies and for Turkish Cypriots who are well-informed on the Cyprus problem to work there. The official could accompany the ambassador to help him explain the Turkish Cypriot side's case. Work has begun on that only recently. The Greek Cypriot side has embassies in many countries and for this reason the Greek Cypriots are able to explain their case." EF/SK