Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-07-24

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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. 134/97 -- 24.7.97

[A] NEW ITEMS

[01] Ecevit: `Partial Integration' does not mean `annexation'.

[02] UK firm on its support for Cyprus' EU.

[03] Durduran: Integrating with Turkey no threat for EU.

[04] Denktash Slams remarks by Greek Government Spokesman.

[05] Serdar Denktash claims EU stand `Sabotaging' Cyprus talks.

[06] Turkish State Minister to visit pseudostate.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Columnist criticizes Ecevit.

[08] Pseudostate Turkey - declaration seen as `Empty Threat'.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ecevit: `Partial Integration' does not mean `annexation'

During his address at his party's assembly group meeting, Ecevit said that the government has displayed its determination with regard to the Cyprus issue. Noting that during his visit to the "TRNC" on the occasion of the "Peace Operation" he noticed that the Turkish Cypriots were much more optimistic and tranquil than in the past, Ecevit added: "The reason for this is that both the international community and all our Turkish Cypriot brothers realize that Turkey is as determined now as it was on 20 July 1974. The Turkish Cypriots will no longer feel isolated and will be represented in the world together with the Turkish Republic."

Explaining that the partial integration with the "TRNC" will eliminate the dangers caused by the EU opening the doors of full membership to the Cyprus Government, Ecevit said that partial integration assures the future of the "TRNC". Claiming that Turkey made unnecessary concessions when it joined the Customs Union even though the EU did not fulfill its responsibilities, Ecevit said that this cooperation worked against Turkey all the time. Ecevit further said that he welcomed the fact that various business circles supported the idea of discussing this issue once again. Ecevit, stressed, however that the government has no intention of being dissuaded from its goal of full EU membership, adding: "The world does not consist of the EU only. We will integrate Turkey with the world"

"I fully believe that it will be the EU that will knock on Turkey's door with an offer for full membership once Turkey takes the necessary steps, adopts the relevant measures, and advances its relations with the world and regional countries to a certain level. I have full faith in Turkey in this regard. In other words, it is not as though Turkey does not have any choices", he said.

[02] UK firm on its support for Cyprus' EU

The spokesman commented on the declaration, signed after the EU's decision to offer membership to Cyprus, which emphasized the inevitability of a partial integration with Turkey. The Foreign Office apparently said they were firm on their support for Cyprus's full membership to the EU and believed this would benefit not only the Greek Cypriots but the whole island.

During the Conservative Party period, Britain's stand on Cyprus' EU membership had been "supportive" even without a solution in the island. However this approach seems to have been strengthened with a Labour government in office. Foreign Secretary Robin Cook has expressed great support for Cyprus' membership to the EU, while his predecessor Malcolm Rifkind had hinted that starting negotiations with Cyprus would not mean its immediate acceptance. Cook has even said that Cyprus would be off to a good start in negotiations, the beginning of 1998, because it is when Britain obtains the EU presidency. Cyprus' EU membership was even mentioned in Queen Elizabeth's speech. Cook and Foreign Office officials have been saying that no country should have a veto over membership proposals. Whenever confronted by the argument that a divided island would bring problems to the EU and would cause more problems in the island, officials have argued that membership would mean an economic and political boost which would also benefit the northern side suffering under economic embargoes.

[03] Durduran: Integrating with Turkey no threat for EU

Durduran claimed that the issue of admitting Cyprus as an EU member was posited in order to force the Greek Cypriot side to a solution. Given this situation, he said, in opposing the Greek Cypriots' membership, the Turkish Cypriot side is acting from the viewpoint of Turkish-EU relations rather than from that of the need for a solution in Cyprus. Durduran stressed that a lot of thinking is necessary for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[04] Denktash Slams remarks by Greek Government Spokesman

Denktash claimed that Greece is trying to gobble up Cyprus through the EU, and is using the Greek Cypriots for that purpose. Denktash claimed: "Instead of airing palaver, Repas must remind the Greek Government of the 1960 agreements. Cyprus was established as a partnership state. Greece also signed that agreement. During the past 34 years, all the means you adopted whether bloody or not to make the world accept the illegal Greek Cypriot Administration as the legitimate Cyprus administration disgrace the Greek Government. Give up this EU ploy so that the intercommunal talks can resume".

He claimed that relations between Turkey and the "TRNC" are being upgraded to fit the level of relations between the Cyprus Government and Greece.

[05] Serdar Denktash claims EU stand `Sabotaging' Cyprus talks

Denktash stressed there is no point in proceeding with the meetings if the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot side is not recognized. In a statement he issued, Denktash assessed the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.

Denktash said: "It is evident from the Agenda 200 report that the EU insists on ignoring the existence of the Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriots have to take certain steps at this stage. One of these steps is not to participate at the meetings scheduled to be held in Switzerland at this stage and to wait for the EU Council of Ministers' decision,"

Claiming that with its current stand the EU is sabotaging the meetings between the two sides, which are pursuing a favourable course, Denktash added: "This is unacceptable. It is time to accept the fact that there are two separate and equal peoples and two separate states in Cyprus."

[06] Turkish State Minister to visit pseudostate

ORTAM says that during Gurel's stay, the delegations will take up the details of the understanding reached in the occupied area with Ecevit as well as the Economic Cooperation Protocol signed with the Erbakan government.

(MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[07] Columnist criticizes Ecevit

"Refahyol drove Turkey's foreign policy off its track. Now a new balance is being established with Ecevit's influence.

Is Ecevit, "the conqueror of Cyprus", who squandered our chance to enter the EU in the 1970s by saying "it is not the time," an asset in this new entity?

We are doubtful and hope we will be proven wrong.

However, two warning signs have already been given, and we are concerned this may be a dangerous gamble. What were they?

1. If the Greek Cypriot side is made a member of the EU despite Turkey's objections, Turkey and North Cyprus will move toward integration.

2. Turkey will ask for the reopening of Customs Union negotiations because the EU has not offered it any perspectives for full membership.

A fair solution in Cyprus, and full membership in the EU" are two imperative goals for Turkey.

It is wrong to pursue a policy of "both or neither."

We called Cyprus "baby homeland" for many years.

What can we gain other than loss of stature if we emulate the disturbed father who threatens to slit his child's throat on the top of his roof in order to save his shanty house from being torn down?

The government needs to generate separate and creative policies on both issues and the influence of Ecevit on foreign policy must be balanced."

[08] Pseudostate - Turkey declaration seen as `Empty Threat'

But, is there anything in this declaration that would turn back the Greek Cypriots and the EU from what they have been doing?

A big NO!

Already Ecevit himself is openly saying that this declaration merely 'states the obvious'. Things that should have been done so far or things that would have been "very normal" to do have been placed on the agenda as if issuing a THREAT and BLACKMAIL.

And, here lies the real danger: Threat and blackmail...

The development of the TRNC's relations with Turkey or with the world, with Turkey's help, is used as an element for blackmail.

This would lead to two possible consequences:

First, foreign countries will not bow to this blackmail and once more use their trump cards against us. That is, the embargoes will increase and we will be further isolated from the diplomatic processes.

Or, second, after snatching some concessions with this blackmail, the Turkish TRNC relationship will go on as if this declaration has never been issued.

In both cases, it is the Turkish Cypriot community that would be the loser.

Just examine the article of the declaration one by one.

Even if implemented they would bring NO ADDITIONAL benefit to the Turkish Cypriot community. There is only THREAT AND BLACKMAIL there. Even the objective of this blackmail is not clear.

This being the situation, we are nagged with the question of why Bulent Ecevit has brought up this blackmail and why he puts so much stress on it?

One possibility is that he might want to snatch new assurances on Turkey's EU membership in return for withdrawing this blackmail. But, even if such assurances are obtained, could Turkey be taken into the EU before it solves its political and economic problems? I certainly do not think so.

The second possibility is that (the Turkish side) will be satisfied with some soft statements and these statements will then be presented to the Turkish public as "Ecevit's victory." In which case we will witness the suspension of the declaration once Ecevit secures a "political gain".

We will see.

Like so many declarations seen by us to date, together we will all witness what will become of this declaration prepared without any contribution from the Turkish Cypriot community."

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

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