Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-10-07

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 185/97 -- 7.10.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash denies reports that Turkey is against "National Congress".

[02] Denktash repeats goal of recognition, comments on President Clerides's UN address.

[03] Denktash on missiles, Cyprus problem.

[04] Turkish Cypriot private TV Station to broadcast news.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Columnist says pro-peace Greek and Turkish Cypriots must support each other.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash denies reports that Turkey is against "National Congress"

In a written statement, Denktash said he was amazed to read the report in YENIDUZEN that Turkey is opposed to a "national congress". Denktash remarked that Oymen's so-called counterparts during his visit in the "TRNC" were also surprised to hear the report. Denktash said this situation "is a move undertaken by the hierarchy of the party that the YENIDUZEN newspaper serves with the aim of stifling the voice of the people".

[02] Denktash repeats goal of recognition, comments on President Clerides's UN address

Denktash, in turn, claimed that the Greek Cypriot side sought to spread Greek Cypriot sovereignty over to "northern Cyprus".

Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side is not interested in resuming talks because of the encouragement it receives from the EU, Denktash claimed: "The Greek Cypriot side is trying to gain time by saying that it may be willing to get together and seeks to harm the Turkish Cypriot people in every possible way". Stating that obstacles were placed in the way of the Greek Cypriots with the establishment of the "TRNC", Denktash further claimed: "The Greek Cypriots aim at eliminating this obstacle and, once it is eliminated, their path will be paved."

Recalling that President Glafcos Clerides was to address the UN General Assembly yesterday Denktash alleged: "Presuming to speak on behalf of the whole of Cyprus, Clerdies will address an organization that does not grant us a right of say, does not recognize us, and does not even allow us through its doors."

Denktash concluded by saying: "We have to respond to the Greek Cypriots together with the people."

[03] Denktash on missiles, Cyprus problem

Replying a question on the future talks between himself and President Clerides, Denktash, inter alia, claimed: "We believe that holding talks until the EU discloses the decision it will reach on Cyprus at the end of the year will be useless. That is because there is no longer a principle that can be debated, thanks to the EU. The Greek Cypriot have decided to allow Greece to establish a base on the island. However, we do not have the right to object. The Greek Cypriot side has made a unilateral application to join the EU. We do not have the right to object to that either. Well, what is the problem that I am expected to discuss? So, the resumption of the talks can be considered after the EU discloses its decision at the end of 1997."

Asked to comment on the S-300 missiles, Denktash inter alia said: "I urged Clerides to `give up the missiles'. He rejected my call and said: `I can decide not to buy the missiles if the number of Turkish troops in Cyprus is reduced.'

Well, the Turkish troops have been based in Cyprus for 24 years. Clerides has taken a new initiative. Obviously, Turkey will take new steps to counter it. I informed him that I may try to convince Turkey not to take new steps if he decides to abandon his new initiative. I also informed him that the missiles he plans to acquire have nothing to do with the Turkish troops.

However, he rejected my approach."

Further on the missiles, he claimed that the Greek Cypriot side has moved to take measures against a country (Turkey) that has the right to intervene in Cyprus, with the objective of preventing it from using its right. "It wants to do something that would force a guarantor power to intervene on the island.

Turkey will react to that at the appropriate time", he claimed.

And added: "I do not believe Greece will decide to involve itself in a war. It will waste the Greek Cypriots again, claiming in the diplomatic field that it will take action to help them. That is my opinion. The Greek Prime Minister, Greek officials, and the Greek military forces have to be insane to wage a war against Turkey.

Considering the situation, I can outline the following:

The artificial tension is expected to create the conditions that will step up the process for the Greek Cypriot side's integration with the EU. How will Turkey react to such an expectation? Would a decision by the EU to admit south Cyprus to the organization create an opportunity for a partnership or integration between Turkey and the TRNC? The Greek Cypriots are playing the wrong game because many of the European countries have opposed their decision to buy missiles. They have launched initiatives with Greece and the Greek Cypriot side to persuade them not to buy missiles. Obviously, the Greek Cypriot side's initiative has slowed the process of its accession to the EU. Nevertheless, it may maintain its initiative.

The declaration President Suleyman Demirel and I signed on 20 January said that `the TRNC will integrate with Turkey'.

Certain circles have interpreted the word integration as a form of unity. That is wrong. The special cooperation we will establish with Turkey will be as much as the cooperation the Greek Cypriot side will establish with Europe through its integration with the EU."

Asked to comment on the pressure he has been subjected to by the European countries and the United States, whether they warn or support him, Denktash said: "We have been informed as follows:

Do not obstruct Cyprus' accession to the EU. We have made a promise and we will fulfill it by processing the application for accession.

Well, we have tried to explain the mistake that has been made. We have informed them as follows: Cyprus has not applied to join the EU. The Greek Cypriot side has done that. You have said that Cyprus has applied. We do not agree to that. We have not applied. The Cyprus problem has to be resolved before we do so. That is when Cyprus can be said to have applied to join the organization. We have two states in Cyprus. The balance between Turkey and Greece vis-a-vis the Cyprus problem also has to be considered. It must not be disrupted in favour of Greece."

Asked to comment on the role of the United States, Denktash said: "As a superpower, the United States either extends blue beads (as published) to the two sides or threatens one of them to achieve its objective. It depends on how the two sides behave."

Asked if he believes Greece and Turkey use Cyprus as a pawn when they hold talks on the problems between them from time to time and if he gets frustrated by being used as a bargaining chip in the longstanding disputes between the two sides, Denktash claimed: "No, I do not believe that Turkey has used us in that way. On the contrary, it has always viewed the Cyprus problem separately. It has not regarded it as a piece of material in politics. It has viewed the problem as a struggle a community has waged for its independence. Greece has a community on the island as well. How has the problem become more serious? Athens created a confrontation between Turkey and Greece when it moved to use the Greek Cypriots to realize its aspiration for Enosis (union of Cyprus with Greece).

And he went on claiming:

"Greece must withdraw its hand from Cyprus. Turkey will do the same if it does so. That may create an opportunity for the two communities to reach an agreement, which will again be guaranteed by the two countries. Greece is responsible for creating the problem. It has supported the Greek Cypriots, claiming that the matter concerns the Greek side. It is responsible for the decision the Greek Cypriots have made to buy missiles. It is responsible for the decision the Greek Cypriots have made to allow it to establish bases on the island. All that violates the agreements on Cyprus. They are a part of their hostile behaviour against the Turkish people. Nevertheless, they will not be able to swallow what they have tried to chew. It will stick in their throat."

[04] Turkish Cypriot private TV Station to broadcast news

TEMPO News, which will be prepared by a young professional team under journalist and writer Ozer Hayat, will be presented by journalist Mesut Gunsev.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Columnist says pro-peace Greek and Turkish Cypriots must support each other

Circumstances compel us to concern ourselves closely with the Cyprus problem. A multitude of parties with diverse views are involving themselves with developments. These are the Turkish Cypriot side, the Greek Cypriot side, Turkey, Greece, the EU, the United States, and the UN. And now Russia is trying to involve itself actively in developments. Naturally, these parties' stand plays a role in directing the problem in a certain direction.

There is a question that the Turkish Cypriot people often ask: Do the Greek Cypriots want peace?

People who categorically support peace in the same way that we do are compelled to give an answer to this question. Our answer is this: Beside those who want peace on the Greek Cypriot side, there are also those who do not want peace, just the same as on our side. The Greek Cypriots' desire for peace should not be a determining factor for the Turkish Cypriots' desire for peace.

The `desire' for peace is a force in itself, which is what we want the Turkish Cypriot people to have. However, peace can be achieved only when those who want peace become stronger.

In this struggle, those from the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides who want peace should support each other. The chauvinists and nationalists are already supporting each other."

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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article