Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-01-16

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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. 8/98 -- 16.1.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: "Partition was the greatest concession we made to the Greek Cypriots.

[02] One-day warning strike in the pseudostate.

[03] Turkish Spokesman repeats "two states principle".

[04] Denktash describes opening of Paphos air base as `madness'.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Columnist views Turkish Cypriot exodus, Cypriot passports.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: "Partition was the greatest concession we made to the Greek Cypriots"

Addressing the ceremony, Denktash said that Dr. Fazil Kuchuk continues to guide his people, adding that this is the day to remember the path shown by Kuchuk. Denktash continued: "Your path was the Turkish path. You believed that Cyprus was Turkish territory."

Denktash noted that Turkish-Greek friendship is important in the region. "Therefore, when partition was mentioned the Turkish Cypriots accepted even that for the sake of peace and the motherland", he claimed.

He further claimed that partition was the greatest "concession" made to the Greek Cypriots "for the sake of peace".

Noting that Turkey has shown that it will support the Turkish Cypriots all the way, Denktash said that the "protocols" signed with Turkey, the aid it extends, and the message relayed to the world that any action against the "TRNC" will be considered as being directed against Turkey itself are all developments that would caused Dr. Kuchuk to rejoice. And concluded: "Let us pledge at the grave of our leader who has never surrendered that we will never bow in the struggle ahead of us and that we will not renounce our freedom in the name of cooperation with the Greek Cypriots. Let the entire world understand that I will know how to protect my state and how to talk as one state to another, and that we will defend our equality."

[02] One-day warning strike in the pseudostate

[03] Turkish Spokesman repeats "two states principle"

At his weekly news conference, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Necati Utkan evaluated Haktanir's recent visit to the "TRNC" and added: "A unity of views was reached during the consultation meetings, which were held in the presence of President Rauf Denktash, that the Luxembourg decisions eliminated the existing parameters from the Cypriot talks and that any initiatives on Cyprus can only be undertaken between the two states."

Noting that it was also determined at the meetings that a lasting peace and calm can be secured in Cyprus only if the "two states" resolve their main differences, Utkan added: "Hopes were expressed that 1998 will be a year of solution."

In reply to a question on whether including Turkish and "TRNC" representatives at all international meetings in line with an article in the "protocol" paves the way to integration, Utkan claimed: "We could say that special relations are being developed with Cyprus". He said the pseudostate will be able to take the necessary steps in integrating with the international community through the "protocol" in question.

[04] Denktash describes opening of Paphos air base as `madness'

Denktash, who replied to questions by the TRT Foreign Broadcasting Department News Agency, described as "madness" the opening of the air base, where there are plans to deploy S-300 missiles as well.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Columnist views Turkish Cypriot exodus, Cypriot passports

"Do the Turkish Cypriots regard Cyprus as their `homeland?'

To reply to this question we must actually conduct a thorough analysis of the socio-psychological values we have been carrying with us. Though such an analysis should naturally be conducted by experts, we could say that judging by their 40-year-long resistance they have endorsed Cyprus as a homeland, but judging by their unabated emigration they have not done so.

Rather than trying to absolutely determine which of these inclinations weighed more heavily in our historic past, it would be a more correct approach if we dwell on the inclination that has been gaining ground in recent years.

Though some of us tried to raise a storm when CTP (Republican Turkish Party) leader Mehmet Ali Talat said that `Cyprus is my motherland', one would have wished that everybody thought like him. If we genuinely start regarding Cyprus as our motherland maybe our present problems would diminish, we would become more vibrant, make more sacrifices to solve problems, think more of the future than the present and thus bequeath a better homeland for our children.

Last week reports appeared concerning Cypriot Republic passports. Toplum Postasi (Community Post published in London) reported that a great number of Turkish Cypriots have obtained Cypriot passports from the Republic of Cyprus Embassy in London.

In a statement to the paper the TRNC President said that the issue is being investigated by the relevant organs.

What are they investigating?

They already know that the report is true. They would personally see this reality if they only looked into the pockets of their close relatives. Even most of those engaged in `homeland-nation oratory' are renewing their Cypriot passports or are attempting to secure a passport for their children moved by the thought that `you never know what might happen'.

Could we, looking at this reality, say that the Turkish Cypriots regard Cyprus as their `homeland?'

Are `the Turkish Cypriots standing up for their own state (Republic of Cyprus)' by obtaining Cypriot passports as was claimed by the Greek Cypriot administration leader Clerides?

No! The Turkish Cypriots simply see the Cypriot passports as the easy way to leave the island. This is the reason for the interest in the Cypriot passports. This phenomenon shows that the Turkish Cypriots regard Cyprus less and less as their `homeland'. The people who are born on these lands and are unflaggingly engaged in bloody struggles to clutch on to these lands do not now want their children to live on these lands and are looking for a more secure and promising place for them.

Mistaken are those who, moved by the mentality that `we should not be concerned with emigrating Turks as they are replaced by Turks coming from Turkey,' think they could wage a `war of liberation' with the help of those who have crowded into the island. Those who took up arms against Mehmet Ali Talat's `motherland' statement should realize their mistake and take the necessary measures to turn Cyprus into the real homeland of the Turkish Cypriots and encourage them to seek their future on these lands. Otherwise, even they will one day plead for Cypriot passports. Only those who consider these lands their `homeland' would rise in defense of it."

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

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