Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-04-02

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 59/97 -- 1-2.4.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash to leave to meet Annan in Geneva on 9 April.

[02] Denktash: Solution can be found within existing realities

[03] Eroglu calls on President Clerides not to set conditions for talks.

[04] Turkish Cypriots in London: "Denktash must apologise".

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Turkish Cypriot writer queries claim that there are 400,000 Turkish Cypriots living overseas.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash to leave to meet Annan in Geneva on 9 April

Denktash will leave the occupied area on 7 April to meet Annan in Geneva on 9 April.

[02] Denktash: Solution can be found within existing realities

Replying to Greek Cypriot reporters' questions before the meeting, Denktash remarked that the efforts for a solution are being conducted on the basis of a bizonal and bicommunal federation. Denktash recalled that a consensus had earlier been reached between the two sides on this subject. "The Greek Cypriot side, however, is not reporting the facts to its people", Denktash claimed. Noting that the Greek Cypriot side is promising the Greek Cypriot refugees that they will return to their homes, Denktash alleged that this contradicts the basis of the talks.

[03] Eroglu calls on President Clerides not to set conditions for talks

Rauf Denktash and Eroglu held their weekly routine meeting last Monday. In a statement after the meeting, Eroglu said that he briefed Denktash on the measures that should be taken in connection with the drought. Recalling that Denktash will be flying to Switzerland on 7 April in order to meet UN Secretary General Annan, Eroglu said that Denktash briefed him on the issue. In reply to a question on how the Denktash-Annan meeting could contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem, Eroglu noted that Denktash and the UN secretary general will be meeting for the first time, adding that both sides will express their views at this meeting and that, therefore, it would not be right to expect much. Pointing out that the need to begin direct talks will be raised at the Denktash-Annan meeting, Eroglu said: "The ground should be prepared to make a transition from indirect to direct talks. As has been stated by our president from time to time, we claim that the ground is ready. Whereas Clerides claims that there is no such ground. It is impossible for us to accept the ground that the Greek Cypriots want."

Eroglu recalled that the Greek Cypriot side is talking about the elimination of guarantees, the deployment of a multinational force, free circulation and property purchase, and the return of refugees to their homes with regards to preparing this joint ground. He added that despite the fact that President Clerides has not referred to the above mentioned conditions in recent days it is exactly these conditions that they will be expecting at the negotiating table. Eroglu said that the direct talks should begin within the framework of the Ghali Set-of-Ideas and the views put forward at the indirect talks, adding that then it will be clear whether or not a solution can be reached.

[04] Turkish Cypriots in London: "Denktash must apologise"

Two remarks by Denktash and one by Mumtaz Soysal, his political adviser, are repeatedly commented upon and they are the ones for which the paper demands an apology from the Turkish Cypriot leader.

The paper publishes the views of about a dozen named readers including several delegates at the "Congress" bitterly denouncing Denktash and predicting that the Fourth Congress of Turkish Cypriot Diaspora is likely to be the last.

The Denktash pronouncements which were judged to be objectionable were:

- "Turkish Cypriots leaving the occupied area and seeking asylum abroad are shameless people"

(Turkish word he used was "utanmazlar" a crude expression meaning insolent, impudent)

- "I will confiscate their homes and properties here. Go and tell them.!"

Returning delegates quoted by the paper by name said "Denktash himself is the cause for the exodus from north Cyprus.

He is responsible for all the threats, restrictions, fear and unemployment driving our people out. He should apologise".

Another said: "We were ashamed having to listen to his words".

The Turkish Cypriot Democratic Union in London, at a meeting last week, passed a unanimous resolution: "Denktash must go. His departure will mean our revival, our transformation".

The Union denounced Soysal for telling the Congress "The land of north Cyprus and the state which sits on it belong to Turkey".

The resolution said "Cyprus belongs to Cypriots. Cypriots will not allow their honour and free will to be besmirched by people claiming to talk for Turkey".

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Turkish Cypriot writer queries claim that there are 400,000 Turkish Cypriots living overseas

"Mistake, because the TRNC doggedly pursues policies which force people born and grown up in Cyprus to flee the country;

Shame, because while TRNC leaders are themselves responsible for the mass exodus, they keep blaming those forced to get out."

"The Congress of Turkish Cypriots Overseas was told: `The hearts of 400,000 Turkish Cypriots abroad are beating here in the TRNC'.

Where does this figure 400,000 come from? Until recently, the claim was that Cypriot Turks in Britain totalled 100,000 while those in Australia, Canada, Turkey and elsewhere together numbered far less than 100,000. So, how come 400,000... If the population of north Cyprus, with all the upward pressures applied during the recent census came to 170,000, the claim of another 400,000 overseas is shameful. It begs the questions:

`Why did 400,000 Turkish Cypriots quit their country and did not return and what has been done to accommodate 400,000 Turkish Cypriot emigrates should they decide to come back...?'

On the one hand, the TRNC claims There is no exodus - as our census figures showed an increase, not decrease in our population; on the other hand it claims there are 400,000 Turkish Cypriots abroad - with their heartbeats in north Cyprus!"

Addressing the occupation regime, the writer concludes:

"By turning our country into a gambler's paradise, a haven for laundering money, you have rendered yourselves unable to provide peace and security for the population, and forced the youth to emigrate.

By uttering insults at the ones gone or seeking asylum abroad, by applying all kinds of pressures on their families and relatives still in Cyprus, by threatening those who return with compulsory military service, you are only increasing the rythm of emigration.

For Allah's sake, come to your senses..."

EF/SK

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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