Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-01-09

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TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 5/97 9.1. 1997

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Minister Tayan "Warns Greece": "If necessary, we will strike".

[02] CHP's Baykal "Warns" Greece against fait accompli in Cyprus.

[03] Turkish General Staff cautions Foreign Ministry on Aegean.

[04] Turkey on Danish Application to Human Rights Commission.

[05] Turkish Spokesman says 'Turkey will carry out its responsibilities'.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Sertoglu: People are worried that Greeks will resort to madress.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Minister Tayan "Warns Greece": "If necessary, we will strike"

"It should be known that the Turkish State has a great sense of responsibility toward its kinsmen in Cyprus and will do whatever this responsibility necessitates. We will do the same thing we did in 1974 and, if necessary, we will strike. In other words, we are in favour of peace, tranquillity, equality, and lawfulness in Cyprus. We are not aggressors, and we do not seek to acquire land. We are not aggressors; however, it is the Turkish Cypriot side -- our side -- that is facing aggression and injustice, and is sustaining casualties and material damage. We want tranquillity to reign in the region; however, our equanimity and the serenity we display should definitely not be mistaken for weakness. Our neighbour Greece and the Greek Cypriot side will be committing a grave mistake if they fall into the mistake of interpreting our behaviour as weakness", he threatened.

Further pledging that the Turkish State will most certainly fulfil its responsibilities toward the security of the Turkish Cypriots, Tayan said: "I call on the entire Turkish Cypriot community, our kinsmen and our brothers, to rest assured and be calm, because the Turkish State supports them".

And he continued: " I want to make it clear, however, that all the means and capabilities of the Turkish State are considered the means and capabilities of the TRNC. We will not cause them any harm as long as they pursue a peaceful stand; however, if they step on our feet, we, in turn, will step on both their feet. We are determined in this regard. We would like the United States to continue to display the stand it has adopted on this issue".

Tayan added that Turkey expects Britain to adopt a more determined stand given its position as a guarantor state. Explaining that the concerns regarding Russia can also be expressed with regard to France, Tayan said: "This country is also preparing to sell weapons to the Greek Cypriot side".

[02] CHP's Baykal "Warns" Greece against fait accompli in Cyprus

Addressing his party's assembly group, Baykal said that a crisis, which has been in the works for a long time, is imminent in Cyprus. Baykal claimed that the Greek Cypriots are preparing the infrastructure of a military struggle. He added: "It is impossible, however, for this preparation to remain one-sided".

"We will not keep silent in the face of a fait accompli in Cyprus and allow people to take advantage of the political difficulties in Turkey. Furthermore, we will not agree for the use of the problems and issues in Turkey as excuses or for the exploitation of international conditions as a way out. Greece will have to face the whole of Turkey regarding the fait accompli it is preparing in Cyprus. I consider it my duty to voice this opinion on behalf of a political party that displays serious opposition to the government", Baykal said.

[03] Turkish General Staff cautions Foreign Ministry on Aegean

The letter, which was conveyed together with an assessment on the latest developments in the Aegean, said that the information acquired through reconnaissance flights indicates that the Greeks are constructing buildings on the so-called disputed islands and islets in the Aegean Sea. The letter drew the Foreign Ministry's attention to the possibility that Greece may use the buildings to settle people on these islands.

[04] Turkey on Danish Application to Human Rights Commission

Addressing a weekly news conference, Akbel said the Danish Government claimed that Danish citizen Kemal Koc was subjected to torture during his custody period last summer. He was taken under custody allegedly for having links with the separatist terrorist organization.

This is the first state application to the European Human Rights Commission basing on an individual claim' he said, adding that Turkey has recognized the right of individual application since 1987.

Akbel claimed this application of Denmark contradicted with Turkey's "goodwill intentions" on the issue and understanding of cooperation.

[05] Turkish Spokesman says 'Turkey will carry out its responsibilities'

In reply to questions at its weekly news conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Omer Akbel said:

"In terms of security, I would like to repeat the statements I issued the other day. Turkey has rights and duties stemming from agreements. Turkey will carry out its responsibilities in security the safety of the Turkish Cypriot people in Cyprus and will do whatever is necessary on this issue. Let nobody doubt this".

Ambassador Akbel claimed that the Greek Cypriot arms buildup can be described as "excessive" in terms of the Turkish Cypriot community and "insignificant" in terms of Turkey.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Sertoglu: People are worried that Greeks will resort to madress

Sertoghu continues as follows: "While Athens the one hand is warmly supporting the Greek Cypriot arming or the other it is making provocative statements full of threats. Is the Athens administration after a new plan to draw the attention off the Aegean and turn it towards Cyprus?

For example: does it consider bringing in NATO forces into the buffer zone?

Does Greece apply this plan so that the moment it extends its territorial waters in the Aegean to 12 miles, it will not lose the rest of Cyprus?

What will be Greece's next step be after this?

Will Greece create a new fait accompli in the Aegean?

Well, what do the USA France and Britain say about this?

Don't they see the approaching storm?

They may see the approaching storm but they think it will be a small spark and they could put it out.

If they think this way they should know that they are mistaken Because I have talked to various circles in Ankara the impression I got is it will be a little bit difficult to put off the spark this time, no one can guess where it will end".

This will not finish like Imia.

"We hope that Athens will come to its senses and will not enter into a mad adventure that will have terrible end". (MY)