Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-03-30

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. 56/98 -- 28-29-30.3.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash says meeting with Annan to be "Last Warning".

[02] Denktash urges Annan to "Think About Another Formula".

[03] Denktash on "government" crisis, says they will take integration steps with Turkey without hesitation.

[04] "Partnership Council" meeting with Turkish Cypriots seen as reply to EU.

[05] Talat fears Cyprus moving toward "Renewed Chaos".

[06] Denktash returns, speaks of need for new parameters for talks.

[07] Foreign Minister Cem departs for visit to occupied area.

[08] Enver Emin elected National Revival Party leader.

[09] Karadayi to visit Russia.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] Ali Birand warns Turkey about Greece's growing importance within the EU.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash says meeting with Annan to be "Last Warning"

Denktash replied to questions on NTV in Istanbul last Thursday before flying to Geneva. Noting that until now the Turkish Cypriots were sitting at the negotiating table to have their sovereignty accepted, Denktash said that now they are expressing their views on the meaning of sovereignty. Denktash repeated his claim that for the solution of the Cyprus problem, negotiations should be held between "two states" and between "two governments". He added that if this condition is not accepted, then equality cannot be achieved and the problem cannot be solved.

Denktash claimed: "The day Cyprus joins the EU, Greece will have hatched its 12-mile ploy. It will defy Turkey. This is the reason why the missiles are being deployed, the Russian tanks are being purchased, and armament efforts are being exerted."

In reply to a question, Denktash said that his meeting with Annan would be the "last warning" and added: "We, anyway, are issuing a de facto reply on 31 March. The joint council will meet in Ankara on 31 March in line with the agreement we have concluded with Turkey". He noted that the "Partnership Council" will develop special relations in a bid to develop the economy of the pseudostate as a reciprocal measure to the steps to be taken by the Greek Cypriot side together with the EU. Denktash continued: "This business will continue in a balanced manner.

This balance will not be disrupted."

[02] Denktash urges Annan to "Think About Another Formula"

Commenting on his meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, he said: "I can say that it was a very good meeting.

this, however, does not mean that the meeting will produce results today or tomorrow or that something will come of these results.

The Cyprus issue embarked on a brand new phase with the initiatives launched and decisions adopted by the EU. This new phase is devoid of those parameters that were so important for the UN Secretary General for years. Therefore, we had to take certain measures in a bid to protect ourselves and our rights. The assembly resolution falls within this context. In accordance with the assembly resolution and the authority granted to us, we are ready to proceed with the talks within the framework of the UN Secretary General's goodwill mission. The UN Security Council (UNSC), however, has to modify its stand to fit the new realities. The Greek Cypriots should accept the fact that they cannot speak on our behalf and that they cannot be the government of all of Cyprus.

We explained all these views in a very sincere atmosphere. Annan, in turn, listened to us very carefully. Our assembly has adopted a resolution. I pointed to Clerides' remarks that claim that our statements that we accept what the Greek Cypriots reject are noting but tactics. I said that our statements are not tactics and that we sincerely seek to secure conciliation at the table. I explained in a very sincere manner that the Greek Cypriots, however, seek to annex Cyprus to Greece through the EU ploy and through their approach that our statements are tactics.

The UN Secretary General will, of course, convey all these views to the UNSC. We do not expect the UNSC to change its stand immediately; however, neither do we expect it to adopt a decision against us. It is impossible for us to participate in the intercommunal talks under the present conditions. We told Annan that he should think about another formula in order to establish a balance, that the Cyprus issue will not be settled unless a balance is established between the two sides, and that the Turkish- Greek balance should be safeguarded.

We will now bolster our very special relations with Turkey and continue on our path. I suppose that the Greek Cypriots will sit at the table and that the path to conciliation will be paved when they realize that they cannot take off with Cyprus and that they cannot trick anybody. We are determined in this regard."

Furthermore, according to Anatolia agency (13:38 hours, 28.3.98) Denktash appealed to Annan "to use all his power to stop full membership negotiations which the European Union (EU) would take with the Greek Cypriot side". Speaking to the press after the meeting Denktash said: "The Cyprus question could not be solve through showing sticks to the sides" adding that they were persistent in finding a"new formula".

The report adds that Denktash expressed regret that Britain, the EU Term President, presented a call of President Glafcos Clerides to include representatives from the Turkish side in full membership talks as a "generous proposal", adding that the ..end .../..

participation of the pseudostate in a delegation where the Greek Cypriot side is taken as interlocutor was "out of question".

Denktash said that he gave the message to Annan that they will not continue intercommunal talks as if nothing happened after a decision of the EU which gave facilities to the Greek Cypriots as the government and which sentenced "TRNC" to the minority status.

The report adds that Annan reiterated his call to resume intercommunal talks in Cyprus during his meeting with Denktash.

A UN Spokesman told the press after the meeting that Annan was disappointed that Denktash rejected the proposal of the UN Secretary General Cyprus Special Adviser Diego Cordovez to resume talks.

The UN Spokesman said Annan told Denktash that there was no other way but to resume intercommunal talks for the solution of the question.

[03] Denktash on "government" crisis, says they will take integration steps with Turkey without hesitation

Denktash recalled that at its extraordinary congress yesterday, the Democratic Party (DP), one of the "coalition" partners, declared that the "government" cannot remain in power with the existing "protocol". He disclosed that DP leader Serdar Denktash intends to meet with the National Unity Party leader in order to tell him that he wants to keep the "coalition" in power with a new "protocol".

Commenting on his meeting with Kofi Annan, Rauf Denktash recalled that the EU and the Cyprus Government will begin the membership talks. "Given these conditions", Denktash said, "the Turkish Cypriots will deepen their relations with Turkey, and take integration (last word in English) steps without hesitation".

Denktash added: "During our meeting with the UN Secretary General, which lasted one hour, we explained all our views and the reasons behind them. The UN Secretary General, of course, is an official who gets his powers from the UN Security Council (UNSC). He cannot do anything himself. He listened to us and said that he will convey our views to the UNSC. For the past 34 years, the UNSC has viewed the Cyprus problem from the Greek Cypriot angle".

[04] "Partnership Council" meeting with Turkish Cypriots seen as reply to EU

Cem will arrive on 30 March accompanied by a large delegation and a group of reporters to attend the preliminary meeting of the "Turkey-TRNC Partnership Council" meeting.

And, on Tuesday, 31 March, the day of the commencement of the EU membership talks, the "Turkey-TRNC Partnership Council" will hold its first meeting as a retaliation to that move. The meeting will discuss every conceivable measure, up to the political integration of the "TRNC" and Turkey in the future.

Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, in his turn, will pay an "official" visit to the pseuodstate in May to formally inaugurate the water transportation project. Demirel will also inaugurate some newly-built departments at the "Mediterranean University". At first, the President's visit was set for 23 April but was then shifted to May when it became apparent that the transportation of water by balloons would not be ready by that time.

[05] Talat fears Cyprus moving toward "Renewed Chaos"

In a written statement he issued, Talat said the current times indicate that Cyprus is moving toward renewed chaos. He said that by insisting on basing negotiations on "two states", Denktash is defying the international community. Talat claimed that "the Greek Cypriot side is getting ready to move away from its unjust and illegal links with the EU and resume the talks".

Talat stressed that Denktash's course will lead to partition. He stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side must act in harmony with the UN Security Council. Talat concluded by saying that his party is greatly disturbed by the developments which are increasing tension on the island.

[06] Denktash returns, speaks of need for new parameters for talks

In a statement at illegal Tymbou airport, Denktash said that he went to Geneva to explain to the UN Secretary General the latest situation and the "destruction" caused by the EU with regard to the Cyprus issue. Denktash added: "We explained to Annan that we cannot continue to conduct intercommunal talks, that the continuation of these talks would be tantamount to the recognition of the Greek Cypriots as the legitimate government, and that this would completely disrupt the internal and external balances included in the 1960 agreements."

Pointing out that Annan, in turn, remarked that the EU intervention made his task more difficult, Denktash claimed that the EU intervention did more than that and in fact eliminated the intercommunal talks. Denktash stressed that the Turkish Cypriots want the Secretary General to continue his goodwill mission, but at this stage he must find new parameters and common grounds.

In reply to a question, Denktash noted that he issued the necessary warnings with regard to the "coalition government" issue before he left the island, adding that a "government" crisis at this point will damage the pseudostate. He said: "It appears, however, that the parties and the party leaders are considering the prestige of their own parties. I never condoned the disagreements and conflicts between the two sides." This will only serve as a warning to find a more suitable framework for a future "coalition", he added. Denktash declared that he does not approve of such an incident at a time when the Greek Cypriots are launching negotiations with the EU.

[07] Foreign Minister Cem departs for visit to occupied area

[08] Enver Emin elected National Revival Party leader

[09] Karadayi to visit Russia

The paper adds that recently Turkish-Russian relations are tense mainly because of Russia's military and economic support to the Cyprus government as well as Russia's recent economic policy followed against Turkey.

YENI YUZYIL then lists issues in the Russian policy that make Turkey uneasey.

1. Russia's military support to Cyprus, the S-300 missiles, T-80 tanks as well as military training given to the Greek Cypriots by Russian instructors in St. Petersburg.
2. 2500 Russian off-shore companies operating in Cyprus and their investment there amounting to 30 million USD.
3. 150 Russian ships operating under Cyprus's flag.
4. Russian mafia's extorting money from the Turkish Companies in Russia.
5. Russian military bases in Georgia and Armenia.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[10] Ali Birand warns Turkey about Greece's growing importance within the EU

"We are so busy with our domestic issues that we are unable to follow completely the most important developments that are taking place around us. We are unable to understand these developments or evaluate them properly.

The latest development in Greece is the one that comes on top of these developments.

We are not aware of the fact that the Simitis government has started taking very important steps, very courageous decisions. After some time we will be face to face with a completely different Greece. In fact, from now on we have to be afraid of Greece's influence. Because Greece, with the latest decision of the Simitis government, is getting ready to change and move on to a higher class. Greece will open further the gap between itself and Turkey, and from their point of view they will feel themselves as being more in security. A new era is being opened and Turkey has to sit down and think seriously. Athens is getting her hands stronger.

The Simitis government has taken historic decisions during the recent weeks.

On top of this comes Greece's joining the European Monetary system. In order to realize this, the Simitis government devalued the Drahmi and immediately after this a belt-tightening in economy started.

Do you know what this means? It means dropping inflation to a 2-3% level within a two-year period, bringing domestic debts to the EU acceptable levels, speeding up privatization and bringing the Greek economy to the level of fist class countries such as Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Once it succeeds in this Greece will stop being a second or third class country. It will become a first class country. It will have more saying in Europe's monetary policies. It will not be an outside observer but will be one of the players.

That is, Greece has chosen the most difficult path. It is getting ready to take the hot chase-nuts out of the fire.

If Greece becomes successful in this effort, this will give the country an important political power.

With new developments, the EU will become a 26-member group, and then it will be difficult to chart a common defence or foreign policy, it will be difficult to safeguard the interests of the 26 countries. And on top of it, some of these 26 countries shall be on the frontline, others in the background. In short, the voice of the economically strong will be heard of more.

And the Simitis government has seen this reality. It has realized that the `veto' in its hands and the advantages that it has as a full member will be diminished and will lose its value and the 26-member EU will not defend Greece. It has also realized that if it enters into the single monetary policy and completes its economic integration, then the EU will embrace Greece as a member and its protection will become necessary.

This is a correct evaluation. Another way of putting it is that Greece has decided to put its security not under the EU's political umbrella but under the economic umbrella and has started taking very courageous steps.

This development is very important from the Aegean and the Cyprus point of view.

Let us not fool ourselves...

However big, however strong we become, as long as Turkey does not put its economy, that runs with a 90 percent inflation rate, into order, and if it does not tighten its belt, the gap between Greece and Turkey in the long run will get bigger and bigger, the EU will defend Greece more and more and Turkey will see that the EU border will pass through the Aegean islands and through the middle of Cyprus.

Unless Turkey puts its economy into order and instead of an arms race with Greece starts an economic race with that country, Turkey will face the reality that in the year 2000 it will have lost its former weight."

(MY)

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