Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-01-14

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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. 6/98 -- 14.1.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Foreign Minister Cem on Turkey's foreign policy, Cyprus.

[02] Signed "protocol" stipulates participation of Turkish Cypriots in Turkish delegations.

[03] Text of pseudostate - Turkey "protocol".

[04] Serdar Denktash denies migration money laundered in the pseudostate.

[05] Liles sentenced to one-month prison term by the occupation regime.

[06] Plan for permanent Turkish units at occupied Lefkoniko airport.

[07] Denktash repeats "principle of two states".

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist speaks of "bloodless coup" in the occupied area.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Foreign Minister Cem on Turkey's foreign policy, Cyprus

Stressing that they carefully realized important changes in Turkey's foreign policy, he said that Turkey has various aspects he has not been "aware of thus far." Recalling the recent debate on whether Turkey is a European or an Asian country, he said that Turkey is a part of both. He asserted: "According to Turkey's geographic location and historical facts, we are a part of Europe. However, two points have to be considered if culture is taken as a basis to decide whether or not a country is a part of Europe. If a country is described as being part of Europe on the basis of religion and race, then we will have nothing to do with it. We will not change our religion for the sake of becoming a part of Europe. However, if the matter is viewed on the basis of democracy, secularism, and human rights, as disclosed by the EU, then we will definitely be a part of Europe."

Cem said that they effected a very important change in the Foreign Ministry's approach on economic issues and noted that an effort is made to create economic opportunities for the country. Recalling the initiative made to reorganize the Ministry for that purpose, Cem said that a unit has been established within four months to provide information to the businessmen on the countries they do business with. Cem also said that his Ministry has instructed all the ambassadors to support the Turkish businessmen in the countries where they serve and noted that an effort is made to establish links between Turkey and the countries it has not had economic relations with in the past.

Recalling that Turkey has been almost nonexistent in the markets of countries like Russia, India, the PRC, Japan, and the United States, Cem said that his Ministry is working to establish what Turkey can achieve. He also recalled that Turkey has not been successful in its exports to the United States, regardless of the fact that its imports from that country total billions of dollars. He said: "We are making initiatives to have the textile quota increased. We have been unable to export products worth $900 million because of the quotas. Our share in the US textile imports totals 1.6 percent. That figure would not have increased to even 2 percent if an additional quota was accepted for our products. However, what is important is to make initiatives to solve the problems".

Cem said that Turkey has to establish its targets, including those in foreign politics. He criticized the policy that has been maintained on the matter and said: "The politicians must realize that politics have been unable to catch up with the initiatives made by the establishments. We believed that only the left wing supported human rights and democracy early in the 1970's. The situation has changed. Our businessmen, including the TUSIAD (Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association), support democracy as much as I do. The institution responsible for politics has been left behind. The universities and other educational institutions, the trade unions, and the businessmen have moved ahead. We are in a position to influence all the (international) establishments. However, we have failed to achieve progress. We have failed to develop. It is shameful to say that we are what we were 20 years ago... The time has come to cooperate to remove shameful developments and change Turkey's situation."

Cem recalled the EU summit in Luxembourg and said that it failed to make the decisions Turkey expected from it. However, he noted that important steps were taken after the convocation but said that they refrained from publicizing them as an achievement in order not to mislead the Turkish people. Stressing that the proposals made to Turkey on Cyprus were unacceptable, he claimed: "Had we agreed to participate in the conference, we would have indirectly recognized the Greek Cypriot side. Greece has placed the EU approach toward Turkey under its control. They are trying to create obstacles against us. We do not have a problem with the individual EU members. Nothing is wrong in our bilateral relations. Let me explain the situation as follows:

Turkey is committed to its obligations related to the Customs Union agreement. The EU owes $3 billion to Turkey. We have begun to strongly insist that the organization should pay the amount.

However, the Greek veto obstructs the transfer of the funds.

Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel has said that the matter has made him feel `ashamed'. We have intensified the initiatives we have made to solve the problem."

[02] Signed "protocol" stipulates participation of Turkish Cypriots in Turkish delegations

The protocol calls for the establishment of permanent political and economic consultation committees within the framework of the political consultation mechanism between Turkey and the pseudostate.

The "protocol" also stipulates that the necessary steps be taken "to secure the TRNC's integration into the international community." Under the "protocol", Turkish delegations at meetings that concern Cyprus and where the Turkish Cypriots are not granted the right to speak will also include representatives of the pseudostate. Moreover, the "protocol" allows the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the so-called foreign ministry of the pseudostate to exchange personnel and assign them to foreign missions.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Eroglu said that the protocol is "a splendid outcome of the development of cooperation with Turkey in every field". Reiterating that cooperation with Turkey, the biggest and only supporter of the "TRNC", will be further enhanced in every field, Eroglu explained that the steps that must be taken in 1998, especially in the sphere of foreign policy, emerged during Haktanir's visit, and added that the work aimed at enhancing the existing cooperation and raising it to a visible level in order to strengthen the economy of the "TRNC" will be accelerated according to a program.

Taner Etkin, in turn, stated that certain concrete decisions were adopted as a result of the work conducted by Haktanir and his delegation in Cyprus. He declared: "When these decisions reach the stage of implementation, they will be brought to the attention of the public step-by-step". Etkin said that the "protocol" signed is extremely important in terms of demonstrating that the "TRNC" will continue to exist, that it will be perpetuated, and that no sacrifice will be spared in this regard.

He further claimed that the latest EU decision eliminated the foundation and parameters for the intercommunal talks, and the alks can now only be held on the basis of "two states". Declaring that the "TRNC" is in favour of a new agreement process between the "two states", Etkin concluded by saying that the "TRNC" is ready to sign agreements that safeguard its interests with countries that it considers neighbours.

In his statement, Haktanir announced that the "protocol" constitutes the initial implementation of the solidarity and cooperation mechanism envisaged in the 20 January declaration and the 20 July 1997 joint communique. Noting that this "protocol" also constitutes the first step of the special relationship between Turkey and the pseudostate, Haktanir remarked that the necessary steps will be taken for the most effective protection of joint interests in the new era. He continued: "Our principal goal is to ensure that the TRNC is recognized worldwide and that it assumes the position it deserves as an independent and democratic state in the international arena. To this end the moves that will secure the TRNC's integration with the international community will be undertaken jointly".

Haktanir asserted: "Our agenda includes negotiations between states not intercommunal talks". He added that these "two states" must live in peace side by side. "The question of whether the two states on the island will share a common future will only become apparent after this stage", Haktanir claimed.

Haktanir and the delegation accompanying him left the occupied area after the signing of the "protocol".

[03] Text of pseudostate - Turkey "protocol"

"Taking account of the permanent political consultative mechanism established by the two countries' Foreign Ministries within the framework of the 28 December 1995 joint declaration,

Reiterating the desire and resolve to preserve peace and stability on the island of Cyprus and in the East Mediterranean and develop the many-sided relations between the two countries on the basis of close solidarity and cooperation as envisaged by the 20 January 1997 joint declaration signed by the Presidents of the two countries,

And within the framework of the special relationship established by the 20 July 1997 joint declaration in Nicosia between the two countries with the aim of protecting the TRNC's foreign policy interests until it formally obtains international recognition and occupies its rightful place in the international arena as an independent and democratic state,

The TRNC and Turkish Republic Governments have agreed on the following points as regards the introduction of the functional and structural cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries:

1. Permanent political and economic consultative committees shall be set up between the TRNC and Turkey within the context of the political consultative mechanism.

2. The committees shall meet at the level of ministers and undersecretaries, and shall determine their own work programs and sub- committees.

3. The committees shall hold their meetings in the TRNC and Turkey on a rotational basis.

4. The sides shall take the necessary steps to ensure the TRNC's integration with the international community.

5. The TRNC representatives shall be included in the Turkish Republic delegations in every international meeting on Cyprus where the Turkish Cypriot people is not recognized the right of say.

6. The two countries' Foreign Ministries would be able to mutually exchange personnel at all levels and assign these personnel to their headquarters or foreign missions.

7. There shall be mutual cooperation between the two countries' Foreign Ministries on education, training, and similar activities, and personnel at every level shall be ensured to serve and get practical training at each other's headquarters and foreign organization.

8. The Turkish Republic Foreign Ministry shall, within its means, help in procuring the material and equipment that might be needed by the TRNC Foreign and Defense Ministry and its foreign missions.

9. The sides shall jointly determined other measures for which they might feel the need to further the functional and structural cooperation between the Foreign Ministries."

[04] Serdar Denktash denies migration money laundered in the pseudostate

Denktash alleged that there is no flow of money into the "TRNC" without the knowledge of the "government". He outrageously claimed: "Given the large number of off-shore banks in the Greek Cypriot sector and the Greek Cypriots' proven connections with terrorist groups, it is highly probable that this money is being laundered there. Those who are taking an interest in the matter should divert their attention to the Greek Cypriot sector."

Italy's Corriere della Sera had charged that the black money generated by the smuggling of refugees into Italy is being laundered in the pseudostate.

[05] Liles sentenced to one-month prison term by the occupation regime

The military "judge" sentenced him to one month in prison, beginning yesterday. He claimed that he passed the one-month prison sentence on Liles "to protect the public and deter those in the Greek Cypriot side who intend to commit the same crime after taking into consideration all the extenuating circumstances."

[06] Plan for permanent Turkish units at occupied Lefkoniko airport

The report adds that, moving into action following the news of Greece's plan to send a unit to Paphos Air Base, Turkey and the "TRNC" are discussing the possibility of maintaining a permanent unit at Lefkoniko airport. According to information received from "TRNC government" sources, it is expected that Rauf Denktash will propose to Turkish officials having permanent Turkish units at Lefkoniko Airport.

According to news received from Anatolia Agency, "TRNC officials" have said that Lefkoniko airport was built as a civilian airport, but, while it is not being used now, Turkish airplanes have landed and taken off from this airport during the Toros exercises. Admitting that there are about 30,000 to 35,000 Turkish soldiers in the "TRNC", the same sources indicated that they expect the issue to be raised in contacts held by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, Ambassador Korkmaz Haktanir.

[07] Denktash repeats "principle of two states"

The talks can resume only if a common ground is found on the principle of two states." Denktash met with British High Commissioner David Madden and conferred with him for some time.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots, who assumed that the Set of Ideas constituted the common grounds for talks, tried to proceed with the talks, Denktash added: "Clerides, however, openly says that he is not interested in discussing the issue of sovereignty with me because there is already a sovereign Cyprus republic. With statements that there is already a legitimate government in Cyprus, Clerides rejects the sovereignty approach included in the Set of Ideas." He added that President Clerides also rejects the principle of exchange of properties.

Denktash continued claiming: "We are not avoiding the talks. We only insist that new ground be found since the EU eliminated the existing common ground. Efforts exerted to find a common ground on the principle of two states will continue. We emphasize that the common ground be based on the principle of two states so that nobody will continue to live in a dream world."

Madden, in turn, said that routine issues were taken up with Denktash. Explaining that they did not broach any new subjects, Madden said that the issue of bicommunal talks was discussed with Denktash.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist speaks of "bloodless coup" in the occupied area

"The Republic of Turkey yesterday succeeded in a bloodless coup in North Cyprus.

Without tanks, without cannons, without rifles.

It overtook the administration in Nicosia. You could ask: `Wasn't it already in the administration?'

You are right.

It was the Republic of Turkey that was ruling before as well.

So, what then?

Did Turkey overthrow itself on the island?

Of course not.

It only limited the powers of the administrators that itself had approved to carry out the administration work here.

And it has made its presence official here. That is, it has come out in the open from behind the scenes.

While doing this, it did not feel uneasy, it did not say:

`The TRNC is an independent and democratic state, we do not interfere in its domestic affairs'. It did not feel the need to say this. Just the opposite. It did so as openly as possible to draw maximum attention from the world.

As though it wanted to tell the world:

`If you do that way, in turn I will do this way...'

It conveys a message to Greece and a message to Europe...

A clear, open and firm message:

`You have excluded us from the EU and now we will make you feel sorry for what you did'...

This is the starting point for Turkey... It is retaliating against Europe with the Cyprus trump card.

In reality, Turkey does not care at all whether south Cyprus is accepted or not into the European Union representing the whole of Cyprus.

What interests Turkey is its own position. `Whether it will be excluded from Europe or not'.

Cyprus is only a trump card. The major trump card indeed.

The officials in Ankara do not hide this either.

Everybody openly says and writes that in Cyprus, first of all, Turkey's interests are in question.

For this reason, the new steps taken by Turkey in North Cyprus as of yesterday are nothing but a reaction to the European Union's latest decisions.

The suspension of the intercommunal talks as well as the `special relations' to be established are directed towards this end.

If you want to know the truth, Turkey does not want to and does not intent to further these relations. The moment Turkey feels that Europe has softened its stance, everything will be well fixed in its place.

As a matter of fact, hasn't it left that door open?

Of course it has. At least it does not take the steps for the recognition of the TRNC.

It will never apply to the UN for the recognition of the TRNC... It will not permit this issue to be on the UN agenda.

Turkey yesterday resorted to staging a coup in the TRNC...

A bloodless coup...

And we have entered into a new stage.

Those who until now had difficulty in feeling Turkey's weight here, will feel it from now on.

From now on, Turkey will not be hiding behind its finger in the decisions taken here.

It will not say: `It is the TRNC government or the TRNC Assembly that has decided'.

This is what the protocol signed yesterday means.

Political and economic committees will be established between the two countries.

But it will be Turkey that will decide.

Is there anybody who doubts about this?

Following yesterday's coup, the following comes to mind:

Should elections be carried out or not in the TRNC?

As far as I am concerned, there is no need at all.

In fact there is no need for a parliament, for a government or for a president.

Now, if they ask you who is your prime minister, what will your answer be?

Will you answer Dervish Eroglu or Mesut Yilmaz?

-Mesut Yilmaz.

And your president?

-Suleyman Demirel!

Don't worry, your answers are correct.

No one will tail you and force you to repeat your lesson.

Your grade is excellent.

So, viva the independence..."

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

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