Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 97-10-08

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. 186/97 -- 8.10.97

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish side presents report against Cyprus' EU application.

[02] Turkish President on hardships of Cyprus solution.

[03] Denktash scorns Turkish Cypriot women who want to meet their Greek Cypriot counterparts, women stand up and criticize him.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish side presents report against Cyprus' EU application

[02] Turkish President on hardships of Cyprus solution

[03] Denktash scorns Turkish Cypriot women who want to meet their Greek Cypriot counterparts, women stand up and criticise him

Demanding that the "NGOs" should not be instrumental to the "plots" of the EU and other states, Denktash "in desperation" declared: "That is enough. They do not listen to me, let alone listen to you".

Speaking to twelve women from different Turkish Cypriot organizations who took part in the Brussels bicommunal workshop organized and financed by the EU, Denktash expressed his opposition to such meetings. In their turn, the women complained that they were unable to secure permission to attend the negotiations to be held at the Ledra Palace Hotel regarding the establishment of the "Cyprus Link" and they asked Denktash to intervene.

During the meeting, reports KIBRIS, there were heated arguments between Denktash and the women of different views and inclinations.

The women tried to convince Denktash of the necessity and usefulness of such bicommunal meetings and contacts, at the "NGO" level, and urged him that "the state" should not oppose such meetings and erect obstacles.

Opposing the EU's effort to bring organizations of both communities together, Denktash said: "The European Union is accepting the Greek Cypriots as your government as well and tells you: `As the Turkish community you have to support them (the Greek Cypriots: Tr. note) in their negotiations'. Although you say to them: `We do not accept this', you still continue to be after them, despite the fact that the government you have elected tells you: `You have to cut off contacts with them". He continued:

"You say that you, too, are defending `bicommunality, bizonality and equality'. Ladies, these are scribed on paper since 1977. The issue is to put them into practice. I warn you and tell you that the EU train is gathering speed. It is going to the station where Greece is waiting. Despite these you still continue to be out of tune. If I am unable to explain to you the ulterior aims of the Greek Cypriots, if despite all my efforts you still do not understand, then I cannot explain to you any more. I am at my wits end. I am out of breath".

Denktash went on and said: "I beg you, please take into consideration, at least a little bit, what those people who sacrificed their lives for the national cause have said. Think for a moment and ask yourselves: `Why do these people say this?' Why, all of a sudden, do we urge you to break off these relations with the EU. Pay attention to the destruction brought about among our people by the unbecoming diplomat Anouil, and then put yourselves back to order.

These are not diplomatic words... This is the resistance of a cause against the dangers. Everybody has become soft like a pudding thinking that `there will be peace'. What peace! The Greek Cypriots declare that the return of all refugees to their homes is a right and the EU justifies this stance. Go and read the reports given behind your back. They say, `there are groups who are against Denktash's views.' In order to develop these groups, they put you on their laps, they are feeding you, they are taking you around and they are treating you well."

When the women retorted back saying that he is telling the same things time and again, Denktash said: "It is not enough to say `You say the same thing'. I want you to stand up against these people that accord you this treatment, and this cannot be done by eating or travelling or being treated well by them." When the women objected to the fact that he was accusing them, Denktash said: "Yes, I accuse you, and I will continue to accuse you.

There is a person here who has sacrificed his life to save you, and today if this person is telling you `stop this' then this means that there is a reason behind his action. You have to think a little bit. For a time we should not talk to anybody so that they understand that we will not be dragged on. They have to realize that we exist. With a smile, and nice words they have duped us and they put us off so as to make us waste time. They are getting ready to give the last blow to us. I want you to understand this. You are making a mistake by not resisting, by not reviving. You are not meeting with those who take the decisions. The decision makers make you have these meetings.

Then they write reports saying the Greek and Turkish Cypriots re meeting and everything goes well. This is a plot. Realize this and do not be taken in".

Denktash then accused those Turkish Cypriots who meet the Greek Cypriots of not telling the substance of the "cause".

In their turn, the women stood up and criticized Denktash, urging him not to impose or dictate his will and views on them.

They said they want the two communities to live in peace, that they want the contacts to continue and that they want their contacts not to be precluded. The women said that precluding the contacts was against the Turkish Cypriots' interest. They insisted that they have to attend the "Cyprus Link" meetings.

In brief, they said the following to Denktash: "You are a politician and you deal with positions. We are not politicians and we are not dealing with positions but necessities.

Please spare some time and listen to us. Listen to the people in the street. We think we will be able to direct you in your work in charting new policies".

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