Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-07-03

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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. 119/97 -- 3.7.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit: Turkey `Primary Interlocutor' for Cyprus initiative.

[02] Cyprus issue discussed at pseudo-Assembly's "Extraordinary Meeting".

[03] Feissel comments on UN `Document' New York summit.

[04] Denktash: Feissel said no document to be submitted at talks.

[05] Cyprus issue compared to Hong Kong turnover.

[06] Ecevit: Serious changes in Turkey's Cyprus policy.

[07] Denktash: I cannot tolerate pressure.

[08] Press "protocol" between Turkey and the pseudostate.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit: Turkey `Primary Interlocutor' for Cyprus initiative

"Therefore, we will convey the following message to Britain as a guarantor state, to the United States as a country that is closely interested in this issue, and to the UN secretary general: The (TRNC) has become a security problem for Turkey as much as it is one for the Turkish Cypriots. Therefore, let them not apply futile pressure to Mr. Denktash at the meetings to begin in New York on 9 July. Mr. Denktash will not give in to this pressure. If an initiative is to be taken on the issue, however, then Turkey should be considered the primary interlocutor", Ecevit said.

Ecevit alleged that "if the Greek Cypriot sector joins the EU, the Turkish Cypriots on the island will be pressured and threatened", adding that neither Turkey nor the "TRNC" will accede to such a fait accompli. He said that the "TRNC" should assume an autonomous structure and that its foreign security should be ensured by Turkey.

Moreover, according to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30 hours, 2.7.97) on the same occasion Bulent Ecevit has reiterated that an autonomous structure should be established between Turkey and the "TRNC". Recalling a statement he made a few years ago following moves to make Cyprus an EU member, Ecevit claimed that such a situation would subject both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to pressure and added: "That is why an autonomous structure should be established between the two countries". Noting that Britain, Denmark, and the United States have established such structures and that this does not mean the annexation of the "TRNC" to Turkey, Ecevit continued: "I believe that Mr. Denktash has a favourable approach to the autonomous structure issue. The issue of an autonomous structure, in which Turkey would be responsible for the foreign security of the TRNC, should become state policy".

Addressing the delegation from the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce, Ecevit also referred to the political and economic problems of Cyprus. Noting that he held a meeting with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Sukru Gurel, state minister in charge of Cyprus affairs, on the Cyprus question, Ecevit added that the fact that the "TRNC" and Turkey are one another's guarantees was stressed at this meeting. Ecevit added that Cyprus is very important for Turkey's security. Pointing out that issues concerning Cyprus will be discussed at a meeting to be held with Denktash in Ankara on 4 July, Ecevit charged that every condition and situation that will shake the so-called independence of the "TRNC" will affect Turkey.

He noted that requests have been made to start flights between Gaziantep and the occupied part of Nicosia, and added:

"We will solve this issue after we receive a vote of confidence."

Furthermore, according to TRT Television Network (10:00 hours, 2.7.97) Bulent Ecevit has also said that the security of the pseudostate "is a security issue not only for Turkish Cypriot citizens but for Turkish citizens as well".

[02] Cyprus issue discussed at pseudo-Assembly's "Extraordinary Meeting"

Denktash briefed the "Assembly" during its morning session, and political party leaders and "deputies" expressed their views on the Cyprus issue during the afternoon session.

Denktash who spoke at the podium after all the views were expressed, explained the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

Pseudo-Assembly "speaker" Atun and political party leaders insisted that light be shed on the UN document to be submitted to the leaders at the New York meeting.

In a statement to the press after the session, Atun said that the meeting was very favourable and constructive. Explaining that Denktash said at the meeting that he benefited from the session and that he will consider the views expressed, Atun said Denktash's stand on the document was justified, and that the "Assembly" concurred with this stand.

Dervis Eroglu, National Unity Party (NUP) leader and "prime minister", said after the meeting that Denktash presented to the pseudo-Assembly his views on the direct talks and the difficulties that may be expected along these lines.

Eroglu claimed: "I do not think the July direct meetings will yield any solutions because Greek Cypriot leader Clerides already made comments to the effect that he is not attending the meetings in a bid to secure a conciliation but rather to not close the doors to the EU by displaying an intransigent stand".

He also claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side will attend the meetings in full knowledge of these facts and that its goal will be to understand what the Greek Cypriots side wants.

Serdar Denktash, Democratic Party leader and "deputy prime minister", expressed hope that the meeting will make it possible to secure the desired peace. Noting that he expressed his party's views at the session, Serdar Denktash said: "It is not right that the president was not informed of this document. (Trans. Note: The Gordobez document). For this reason, our party thinks President Denktash is right in saying that he will not attend the meetings under these conditions".

Serdar Denktash added that the agreement, which will emerge from the New York meetings, should preserve the 23-year-old peace in Cyprus, as he called it.

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Republican Turkish Party (RTP) general secretary, said a very critical stage was reached on the Cyprus issue and it was becoming evident that a new process was under way. Expressing hope that the meetings will secure a lasting solution to the Cyprus issue, Soyer said: "I expressed the RTP views within this framework. The RTP will extend support to every initiative the president undertakes in line with the Ghali Set of Ideas". Expressing hope that the Cyprus issue will gain a new dynamism through the New York meetings and that it will yield positive results, Soyer said: "Seeking a clarification of the UN document is justified. The RTP, however, does not share the view on not attending the New York summit because it believes such approaches will greatly harm the Turkish Cypriots". Explaining that the important issue is to attend the meetings and secure a solution within the framework of the Ghali Set of Ideas, Soyer said that Denktash has sufficient expertise and support along these lines.

Communal Liberation Party (CLP) leader Mustafa Akinci issued a statement to the effect that an extremely beneficial exchange of views was held at the "Assembly". Explaining that the CLP believes that a reasonable solution, which safeguards the interests of both sides within the framework of Ghali Set of Ideas, can be secured at the meetings, Akinci added: "Efforts should be made to secure a federal Cyprus at the negotiating table, on the one hand, and on the other, to strengthen the `TRNC' in all areas". Pointing out that both sides should try very hard to secure an agreement at the meetings, Akinci added: "The CLP does not consider the New York process as starting and ending in New York. The New York meeting is a process and it can continue until the Greek Cypriot elections on February".

[03] Feissel comments on UN `Document', New York summit

Feissel pointed out that both the circles in Cyprus and the international community pinned their hopes on the summit and added: "The summit, which will be held near New York, is a start. The document, which will be submitted to the leaders at the New York summit, is not ready yet".

In a statement he issued to illegal BRT (Bayrak Radio and Television), Feissel assessed the New York summit and responded to questions on this issue. Stressing the responsibility that the leaders attending the summit will have to shoulder, Feissel said:

"This is the first meeting between the two leaders. I am in favour of proceeding with these meetings until a solution is found to the issue".

In reply to a question on the UN document to be submitted to the leaders, Feissel charged that the document was designed in a bid to assist the two leaders. Noting that the document in question was not ready yet, Feissel added: "The document will most probably be ready just before the New York summit".

In reply to another question on the stand that the United Nations will adopt in the event that one of the leaders insists on seeing the document before leaving for New York, Feissel said he did not wish to talk about this issue anymore.

Upon being asked to express his views on the stands of the two sides, Feissel said that too much importance should not be attached to the statements issued by the two sides prior to the New York meetings and that the important issue are the stands that will be adopted by the two sides during the direct meetings.

Expressing hopes that the leaders will contribute to a Cyprus solution, Feissel underlines: "Both sides should reach understanding between each other to secure a solution". When asked about several countries' special representatives in Cyprus also going to New York, Feissel said the representatives will attend a dinner hosted in honour of the leaders on 8 July and added: "These representatives will also be present for UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's opening speech. The two leaders, their advisers, and UN representatives will attend the direct meetings." Explaining that both leaders know each other very well, Feissel added: "The time has come for the two leaders to settle this issue".

[04] Denktash: Feissel said no document to be submitted at talks

In a statement to the press after the meeting, Denktash said that the United Nations will not submit a document and added:

"However, a memorandum on the talks will be submitted to the leaders after the meeting". Denktash asked that the UN Secretary General's memorandum be submitted to him prior to the meetings.

Denktash said: "The memorandum should be submitted to us beforehand if we are wanted at the negotiations table and if there is nothing in that memorandum that warrants our leaving the table. In this way, I can point out any changes I may seek to make to this memorandum". Explaining that the memorandum on the talks can be submitted beforehand unless there are bad intentions, Denktash added that he will not be "taken in" and will not bow to such "ploys" and that he has never done so in the past.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak radio (15:30 hours 2.7.97), the so- called foreign affairs and defense ministry has announced that Gustave Feissel, the UN Secretary General's special envoy in Cyprus, has stated that submitting any UN document at the New York meetings is out of the question.

A statement issued by the "ministry" notes that Feissel said that Diego Cordobez, special Cyprus adviser to the UN Secretary General, will be making a statement at the direct talks to be held in New York on 9-13 July and that the notes of the address will be submitted to the two sides. The statement welcomed this explanation, adding that the issue is being followed.

[05] Cyprus issue compared to Hong Kong turnover

"Cyprus, which was rented out to the British during the Ottoman rule, should have been returned to Turkey at the end of the British rule".

In a written statement he issued, Tore welcomed the return of Hong Kong to China after the agreement leasing Hong Kong to Britain for 99 years expired. Asking why the same procedures were not applied to Cyprus, Tore called for an investigation to be launched into the issue.

[06] Ecevit: Serious changes in Turkey's Cyprus policy

Fatih Cehirge, after speaking with Ecevit, state minister and Deputy Prime Minister, says that Cyprus is the priority and the most sensitive and urgent foreign policy issue before the new Turkish government.

Ecevit said: "I should tell you that in the coming two to three days Denktash will be officially invited (to Ankara) and after this invitation Washington will be officially informed that there are very serious changes in Turkey's Cyprus policy."

Fatih Cehirge says that in the following lines Ecevit described Turkey's serious policy changes in the Cyprus problem:

"As you know esteemed Denktash will go to USA on 9 July. He will be confined there and face heavy pressure. For this reason, it is time for Turkey to move openly and become clearly involved in this issue. Until recently, we were rightly saying that the Republic of Turkey is the TRNC's guarantee. Now a more important situation than this has come up. That is, from now on the TRNC is Turkey's guarantee.

Look at 1930. During military exercises on our southern shores Ataturk was telling the following to the generals: `Cyprus is very important for Turkey, our southern shores will be in danger if Cyprus is in the hands of an enemy. For this reason be very careful'.

Now the conditions have changed a lot. There are differences between the weapons of that time and those of today.

The Greek Cypriot sector's arming does not only threatens our southern shores but the whole of Anatolia as well. Under these conditions, from Turkey's security point of view, the TRNC has become very important. Look, they have concluded a purchase of missiles agreement with Russia. Greece is building airports there. Because of these Greek Cypriot policies, instead of saying that Turkey is TRNC's security, we will say the TRNC is Turkey's security".

Cehirge goes on to say that following this important statement by Ecevit he immediately put the following question to him: "That is, are we going to tell the world that `regarding the TRNC from now on your official respondent is the Republic of Turkey? "

Ecevit's answer is very clear.

"Yes, we will say this, and we will do it this way. We will tell them your real respondent is Turkey, because the Greek Cypriots' stance has made the TRNC Turkey's guarantor. It is the Greek Cypriots who are responsible for this".

Cehirge concludes by saying : "Yes, these words by Ecevit will have important effects in relations with mainly Greece, Europe and the USA".

(MY)

[07] Denktash: I cannot tolerate pressure

While I am buried I will not let people tell behind me that `he has sold the rights of the Turkish people'. However, I would like to be remembered and to be said about me that `he brought peace to Cyprus, he helped make peace in Cyprus'."

(MY)

[08] Press "protocol" between Turkey and the pseudostate

The so-called protocol stipulates that arrangements will be made so that press people that carry a yellow press card will have the right to benefit from all the rights and facilities in their respective countries.

The "protocol" was signed, on behalf of Turkey, by Ambassador Karahan, Director of Press, Publication and Information of the Prime Minister's Office, and on behalf of the occupied area by Taner Etkin.

(MY)

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

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