Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-03-09

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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. 42/98 -- 7-8-9.3.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash rejects outside pressure as means to secure accord.

[02] Pseudostate's "diplomats" posted to Turkish embassies.

[03] `Assembly' votes to investigate passport issue.

[04] Demirel: We should make a new assessment of the Cyprus issue.

[05] Eroglu comments on release, purpose of funds in "loan accord" with Turkey.

[06] Celem comments on Cyprus issue.

[07] Denktash claims President Clerides' grounds for rejecting letter invalid.

[08] Turkish Cypriot islamist party "Our Party".

[09] Denktash's letter to President Clerides.

[10] Serdar Denktash in Berlin for tourism fair.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash rejects outside pressure as means to secure accord

In a statement at illegal Tymbou airport, Denktash said he was invited by the Great Unity Party to deliver a lecture in Adana and added: "the TRNC should be proud of the fact that Turkey continues to put the Cyprus issue on its agenda".

Claiming that the current developments confirm the fact that talks can be conducted only between states from now on, Denktash added: "The determination that the state should be protected and that the talks should be conducted between states was received favourably by everybody. There may be people who have opposing views, and they are entitled to express their views. The ultimate objective is to achieve a positive goal. This goal is to dispel the tension and discord, live as two friends, establish bridges between two states, and leave the future to future generations."

Stressing that it is impossible to lay the grounds for an agreement by putting outside pressure on the people of Cyprus, Denktash claimed: "It is not beneficial to insist on pursuing the former path. Such a stand will only give the Greek Cypriots more encouragement to own the whole of Cyprus, increase the tension, spread their sovereignty to the north by filling the arms depots, and seek to rectify the injustice they claim is being done to them". Recalling that he had issued a call to President Clerides that day, Denktash added: "Clerides and the Greek Cypriot people should assess this call well."

So-called assembly "Speaker" Hakki Atun; Ertugrul Apakan, Turkey's envoy; Brigadier General Hasan Peker Gunal, commmander of the so-called security forces; Taner Etkin, so-called foreign affairs and defense minister; and other so-called officials saw Denktash off at the airport.

According to illegal Bayrak radio (5:00 hours, 7.3.98) in statements to reporters upon his arrival in Adana, Denktash said:

"The former stand, policy, and approach pursued by the Greek Cypriots failed to resolve the Cyprus issue. Equality and mutual respect are essential. We are ready for an agreement if the Greek Cypriots also have intentions along these lines. The grounds of the agreement should rest on the concept of two states. This will secure the Turkish-Greek balance. There can be no other agreement."

Denktash also claimed: "Clerides does not need an agreement. The whole world recognizes him as the Greek Cypriot Government. He was granted a loan of $3 billion from world countries. Thanks to the Greek Cypriot lobby in the United States he succeeded in having the United Nations adopt a decision that the TRNC is illegal. An injustice has been committed against us."

[02] Pseudostate's "diplomats" posted to Turkish embassies

Within this framework a "TRNC diplomat" has begun serving in the Turkish Embassy in Bonn. This will be followed by the appointment of a second "diplomat", Zehra Basaran, to represent the "TRNC" in the Turkish Embassy in Paris.

The appointments are being made quietly in accordance with the partial integration agreement signed between Turkey and the pseudostate. The "TRNC diplomat" in the Turkish Embassy in Bonn has reportedly been in that position for some time.

Officials said that the purpose of this action is to allow the pseudostate to make its voice heard around the world.

They said: "If the Greek Cypriots raise allegations against the Turkish Cypriots at a meeting held in one of these countries, the TRNC diplomats serving in the local Turkish Embassy will respond."

The "TRNC diplomats", who have been issued official Turkish passports, are serving in Turkish embassies as "representatives". They join the Turkish delegation whenever a meeting related to Cyprus is held in the countries they serve, thus gaining the opportunity to respond to Greek Cypriots directly.

[03] `Assembly' votes to investigate passport issue

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Republican Turkish Party "assembly" group leader, said that even though he supports the "motion", it would nevertheless be wrong to focus on the KIBRIS newspaper alone when assessing the passport issue. Explaining that the passport issue was reported by other print media and that even Denktash himself raised the issue on the agenda, Soyer added: "The Assembly committee should take into consideration all these developments when discussing the issue."

[04] Demirel: We should make a new assessment of the Cyprus issue

Referring to the Cyprus issue, he claimed: "The fourth issue (discussed) was the effect of the Luxembourg decisions on Cyprus. I have observed that Europe is in an extremely difficult position because of the decisions it has adopted on the Cyprus issue. We ask them who they mean when they refer to Cyprus and when they say that they will be holding negotiations with Cyprus. There are two communities in Cyprus, there are two nations, and they have become two states in the aftermath of these decisions.

This is the de facto situation. In conclusion, Europe has nullified all the efforts exerted so far to find a political solution to the Cyprus question. We should make a new assessment of the Cyprus issue."

[05] Eroglu comments on release, purpose of funds in "loan accord" with Turkey

In a statement he issued in connection with the issue, so-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu said that the transfer of the $120-million loan, which is the final portion of the $250 million loan agreement between Turkey and the "TRNC", will start in the coming days. Eroglu added: "Of the $60 million that constitute the second slice of the loan, $20 million have already been released. The $120 million, which is the last slice of the $250 million loan agreement, will be used in development and infrastructure projects through the Development Bank during the course of the year."

[06] Celem comments on Cyprus issue

Commenting on the Cyprus issue in his address, Celem said that only the adoption of a realistic stand can resolve the issue. In reply to a question, he claimed a realistic stand means the acceptance of the de facto realities and added: "The two communities on the island should jointly determine the future of Cyprus." Stating that neither of the communities should make a decision that will impact on the future of the island without first consulting the other side, Celem recalled that the Cyprus Government had made application to the EU without receiving the "approval" of the Turkish Cypriot side. Claiming that the Cyprus Government does not represent the Turkish Cypriot side, Celem stressed that any steps taken by the Cyprus Government will not be binding on the so-called government of the pseudostate.

[07] Denktash claims President Clerides' grounds for rejecting letter invalid

Denktash also remarked that he does not expect the EU to take a positive stand, adding, however: "We will be patient, and we will try to convince them to renounce their mistakes and assist us. We will ask them to underline the existence of two states, two separate peoples, and two democracies in Cyprus."

Denktash claimed the EU is making the mistake of failing to fulfill its duty and expecting the problem to be resolved by Turkey's making a "sacrifice" with regard to the Cyprus issue.

[08] Turkish Cypriot islamist party "Our Party"

Sadikoglu admits that the party's first program was turned down by Denktash's regime and a second application was made where the party's rules and regulations were amended and some articles or paragraphs were deleted so as to suit the program, as he put it, to the "TRNC laws".

Sadikoglu claims that despite the fact that Denktash's so-called ministry of interior refused to accept the party's second amended program, they were forced to submit it through "notary public". In his interview Sadikoglu does not make it clear whether his party has been "officially" approved by the Denktash regime. He only quotes the so-called Attorney's 24 February statement that "Our Party" was legal and that it is not a threat to the "TRNC Laws". He himself claims that "Our Party" is a legal entity.

In his interview he rejects the Afghanistan, Iran and Algeria model of Islamism and approach to women.

He openly admits that Seyh Nazim Kibrisi, the Turkish Cypriot born Islamist sect leader, is behind this party and that with the latter's open approval and consent "Our Party" was established. He says that without Seyh Nazim's blessing the establishment of "Our Party" was not possible.

When asked to tell about "Our Party's" final objectives, Okyay Sadikoglu said: "As you see all the political parties in our country, at a certain period become either government or government partners and thus they become dirty. They are unable to produce clean policies for Cyprus. In fact we are not coming in order to produce new policies. We are coming to serve the people.

Mr. Basaram, our priority shall be to further our policy, shall be the Cyprus problem. Unfortunately, the Cyprus problem for the last 23-24 years has turned Cyprus into an open jail and us into living dead. I see it this way; there is a TRNC which is unable to get recognition from the outside world. Let me read you from our program; our basic policy is to realize the friendly living of the two communities on this island and the two communities should respect each other and be friends. That is, we are not after the policy of `the good Greek is the dead Greek' because we are people of Islamic personality. We respect people's right even if it concerns a Greek. We believe that Greeks too have a right to live on this island. However, the Greeks should live in their region. That is, they should not touch the TRNC.

And let us not touch our southern neighbour. This is our policy. We are not after continued animosity on this island. That is, we either reconcile with the Greeks or we settle our accounts completely. That is, either we shall fight or there shall be peace. Because this is a vicious circle. If the Greeks continue to claim and insist by saying that Kyrenia, Morphou are theirs, then our policy shall be that Larnaca and Limassol is ours, Paphos is ours. Then our policy shall be that Cyprus is Turkish, and shall remain Turkish. So, the Greeks will either sit down and agree with us or we will continue with our claim that Paphos is ours".

Sadikoglu claims that "rightist" parties in the occupied area are against the "Our Party" because "Our Party" supporters used to vote for them in the elections and now they will not. He claims they are not a religious party.

[09] Denktash's letter to President Clerides

Denktash sent a letter to President Clerides the other day and proposed the solution of the "fundamental problems" between the two sides. Denktash described these "fundamental problems" as the conclusion of the mutual (word indistinct) allegations and the determination of security and "border" issues. Describing his proposals as a "historic opportunity", Denktash called on President Clerides to jointly make use of this new and historic opportunity. Pointing out that he was informed that President Clerides did not accept his letter, Denktash described this as "unfortunate for Clerides". He further noted that he briefed UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on his letter.

Denktash held a news conference at 14:00 last Friday disclosing the contents of the letter he sent to President Clerides and making an assessment. In his letter Denktash said:

"I believe that the time has come for us to show the necessary leadership to prevent the future generations from living through the bitter experiences we both have suffered. We should instead enable them to make equal use of the many opportunities presented to us by our island and our region in peace, mutual respect, and cooperation."

Beginning his letter by congratulating President Clerides over his reelection, Denktash said that "the two peoples still need the generation of Denktash and Clerides to achieve a peaceful existence side by side". Claiming in his letter that at this critical stage, he wants to look ahead to the future rather than ponder on the past, Denktash expressed the belief that the best way to build a future is to establish a joint understanding over guiding principles that will shape the future. Denktash alleged that the fundamental principle that should be borne in mind, given the Cyprus conditions, "is the sovereign equality of the two sides". Pointing out that the future can be built on "realism", Denktash claimed: "Realism begins with the recognition of what was entrusted to the Turkish and Greek Cypriot peoples in 1960 as the two founding members of the Cyprus Republic with equal status". He recalled that the independence and sovereignty of Cyprus and the right of the two sides to separately determine their future were acknowledged by Britain and the United Nations in 1956 and 1958. Pointing out that these realities present two important preconditions, Denktash continued: "One of the sides cannot have unilateral claims over the independence and sovereignty of Cyprus. The balance established between Turkey and Greece should be observed and preserved."

In his five-page letter, Denktash claimed that the application made to the EU has eliminated the parameters agreed upon during the negotiating process, adding that military activities have negated the search for a federal solution.

Denktash expressed the belief that while we are approaching the year 2000, a new beginning should be launched based on these realities, adding that as a result of years of developments there are currently "two states" on the island.

In his letter, Denktash alleged that "the efforts being exerted for the future of the two peoples should be based on the acceptance of the existence of two states with equal status" and added: "The thing to do now is for the two states to solve the specific fundamental problems between them without making claims on and allegations against one another, to reach a final solution regarding their mutual property claims on a new platform, and to work an arrangement that will enable them to solve their security and border delineation problems". Concluding his letter, Denktash alleged that "if this is achieved then a new platform that will enable the two peoples and states on the island to coexist in peace without making claims on and allegations against one another will be achieved."

In his news conference, Denktash said that every one should be aware that he is optimistic regarding the future of Cyprus and added: "We have two alternatives. We can live as two good neighbours or as two angry neighbours on the island."

Denktash claimed that with the letter "he took a new initiative toward attaining peace, stability, and security between the two peoples and states on the island". Denktash expressed the need for a new approach and a new beginning. Pointing out that in this way one can attain "a new Cyprus and the peaceful and secure existence of the two peoples side by side", Denktash added: "Our peoples want peace. With this new initiative I call on Clerides:

Come and let us jointly establish a realistic peace and a new Cyprus."

Concluding his statement, Denktash called on the international community to make use of this "historic opportunity".

Replying to Greek Cypriot reporters' questions who were following his news conference, Denktash said that the Greek Cypriot side's proposal to the Turkish Cypriot side to participate in the EU membership negotiations can be assessed in the event the Greek Cypriots are ready to accept the existence of the "TRNC" and the fact that Cyprus cannot become a EU member prior to the membership of Turkey. Noting that the Greek Cypriot proposals in question have not yet been disclosed, Denktash said that there is no point in discussing abstract concepts.

[10] Serdar Denktash in Berlin for tourism fair

Serdar Denktash will h ave contacts with the Carter (as mentioned in the paper) Company officials.

(MY)

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

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