Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-04-06

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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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Groups issue joint statement rejecting "Partnership Council.

[02] Denktash insists on "political equality".

[03] Turkish Government holds Cyprus summit.

[04] Cem: Turkey not to hand Cyprus over to Greece.

[05] Yilmaz: No change in the decisions regarding Cyprus.

[06] Denktash says talks with Holbrooke positive for "TRNC".

[07] Labour Union leader says integration is impossible.

[08] Cetin stresses importance of continuation of "TRNC" as independent "state".

[09] Gurel on impact of Cyprus events on Turkey.

[10] Political parties support "Partnership Council" statement.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[11] Columnist cites Pakistan Prime Minister's views on recognition of pseudostate.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Groups issue joint statement rejecting "Partnership Council"

The democratic mass organizations -- namely, the Republican Turkish Party, the New Cyprus Party, the Turkish Cypriot "Secondary Education Teachers Union", the "Teachers Union", the Turkish Cypriot "Civil Servants Union", Dev-Is (Federation of Revolutionary Worker Unions), Cag-Sen, Er-Sen, and the "Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects" -- issued a joint written statement saying that the "Partnership Council" meeting started a dangerous and worrisome course in Cyprus and in the region. The statement says that this dangerous course is an obstacle to the peace efforts being conducted in the region and may pave the way for war. The democratic mass organizations say that they support the resumption of UN-based intercommunal talks in order to reach a mutually acceptable agreement and pave the way to peace on the island.

[02] Denktash insists on "political equality"

The United States, which still believes that the problem can be settled through talks between the two leaders, has once again dispatched Richard Holbrooke, the architect of the Bosnian peace plan, to the island. Arriving in Cyprus ahead of Holbrooke, Thomas Miller, the Special Cyprus Coordinator of the US State Department, presented to the two leaders American ideas about a solution as soon as he landed on the island.

Originally scheduled to have one meeting with Denktash, Miller unexpectedly had two meetings with him.

Denktash met with Richard Holbrooke, President Bill Clinton's Special Representative on Cyprus, and demanded that the United States contribute to the formulation of a negotiation framework that acknowledges the political equality of the two sides in Cyprus. According to leaked reports, during the meeting with Denktash, Holbrooke put pressure to break the "TRNC's" insistence to base the talks between the leaders on negotiations between "two states". Holbrooke discussed a new formula that can bring President Clerides and Denktash together "as two equal sides". He also conveyed to the Cyprus Government US concerns about the deployment of Russian S-300 missiles on the island.

Intent on blocking the integration between Turkey and the "TRNC" and restarting negotiations between the two sides without delay, Holbrooke is applying strong pressure on both sides just as he did during the Dayton negotiating process in Bosnia to achieve a just, lasting and honourable solution in Cyprus, the report says.

Holbrooke also proposed to the Cyprus Government a plan that would allow the Turkish Cypriots to participate in the full membership negotiations the EU has started with Cyprus with a status higher than that of a community.

According to diplomatic sources, US officials are concentrating their efforts on security issues and the resumption of the military dialogue.

Diplomatic sources stated that an agreement by the two sides to resume talks would reduce the tension created by the full membership negotiations the EU started with the Greek Cypriots and put the brakes on the "Partnership Council Agreement" between Turkey and the "TRNC" on political, economic, and cultural cooperation.

Noting that the West is intent on moving away from the "two-state" principle, these sources underscored that Ankara and the "TRNC" will insist to the very end on holding talks only on the basis of negotiations between "two states".

The report concludes by listing the American proposals to the two sides in Cyprus as follows:

"A moratorium on military overflights. Cancelation of the deployment of the S-300 missiles in Cyprus.

Phased demilitarization over the next two years, with a portion of the Turkish army staying on the island as part of a multinational peacekeeping force.

Strengthening Turkey's special association with the EU; this would require the lifting of the Greek veto blocking financial aid to Turkey.

Talks between Denktash and Clerides; official approval by both sides to proceed with measures to reduce tensions.

Lifting of the economic embargo against the TRNC".

[03] Turkish Government holds Cyprus summit

President Suleyman Demirel received Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit; Ismet Sezgin, deputy prime minister and national defense minister; and State Minister Sukru Gurel at the Cankaya Mansion. The latest developments on the Cyprus issue were discussed at the meeting. The Cankaya summit lasted for about an hour. According to a statement issued by the Presidential Press Center, the request for the meeting came from the government. Gurel, in a statement after the meeting as he was emerging from the Cankaya Mansion, said that the latest developments on the Cyprus issue were assessed at the meeting.

Gurel replied to questions regarding the contacts of US Cyprus envoy Richard Holbrooke.

"The information on Mr. Holbrooke's visit will be assessed as it arrives. At the moment, however, the situation does not call for a comprehensive assessment. We, in general, believe that the United States is the best candidate to fully comprehend that, at the current stage that has been reached, the parameters have changed and it is necessary to find a final conclusion in line with the realities pertaining to the issue. We are not concerned, therefore, about the close interest the United States has taken in the issue", Gurel said.

Gurel concluded by saying that Turkey has so far indicated that it will not allow a development that will transform the Turkish Cypriots into a minority and will cause an estrangement between Cyprus and Turkey.

[04] Cem: Turkey not to hand Cyprus over to Greece

Cem answered correspondents questions at Antalya Airport, where he arrived to spend his holiday. Pointing out that Turkey needs the independence and effectiveness of the "TRNC", Cem stated: "Naturally, Turkey will not hand Cyprus, which is located in the eastern Mediterranean -- an area that will become the world's most strategic region in the 2000's -- over to Greece, which has shown such hostility toward us". Cem noted that in so doing, Turkey will experience certain difficulties, adding that his government is determined to protect the economic well-being and political security of Turkey and the "TRNC".

Alleging that the policies pursued by Turkey in Cyprus are correct, Cem announced: "We will continue on this path. We have a conciliatory attitude and we want to reach conciliation, but we will not turn our kinsmen in the TRNC into a helpless minority in order to achieve this".

[05] Yilmaz: No change in the decisions regarding Cyprus

Yilmaz also remarked that positive steps were taken on the subject of human rights during the term of the 55th government. He added: "Despite our careful attention to the matter, it cannot be said that we are at an ideal situation regarding human rights. As ascertained by foreigners as well, however, there is a considerable improvement. We will reach the ideal situation in parallel with the total eradication of terrorism".

[06] Denktash says talks with Holbrooke positive for "TRNC"

Denktash flew to Izmir aboard a Turkish Armed Forces plane last Saturday to spend the Bayram holiday. He made a short statement on his meeting with Holbrooke before taking off from illegal Tymbou airport. Denktash said he briefed Holbrooke in detail on where the situation stands now. He claimed that nobody is pleased with the EU's "untimely intervention" and that everybody accepts that this move created great difficulties.

Denktash described his talks with Holbrooke as positive as far as the Turkish Cypriot side is concerned. He said: "Obviously, these contacts will continue. Holbrooke will probably come again. We invited him. We want him to come so that we can express our views more concretely to him".

Earlier in the same news bulletin, illegal Bayrak radio reported that in addition to Denktash and Holbrooke, the meeting was attended by Thomas Miller, US State Department special Cyprus coordinator; Kenneth Brill, US Ambassador to Nicosia; Taner Etkin, "minister of foreign affairs and defense"; Ergun Olgun, "presidential under secretary"; Necati Munir Ertegun, "special presidential adviser for political affairs"; and Mustafa Evran, "political affairs director".

Denktash said that the Turkish Cypriots welcome Holbrooke's help but want the UN Secretary General's mission to continue as well. However, he claimed, this must not be done on the basis of the old authorization but with a new approach.

Denktash alleged that, at this stage, the solution lies in emphasizing the political equality and sovereignty of the two sides in a new framework and adopting this is as the basis for the negotiations.

Replying to a question, Denktash said that Holbrooke did not bring any package of proposals and that he only tried to find an answer to what was relayed to him. Replying to another question, Denktash claimed that the EU did not leave the Turkish Cypriots any room to maneuver and that, therefore, it is impossible to take a step backward on the issue of holding talks between "two states" in Cyprus.

[07] Labour Union leader says integration is impossible

Noting in his written statement that the Cyprus issue is being dragged into a grave and dangerous situation in the wake of the latest developments, Konuloglu added: "The EU launching accession talks with the Greek Cypriot Administration is unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriots".

Konuloglu continued: "We are concerned that answering back to a mistake by committing another mistake will lead both Turkey and the TRNC to an irreversible stage". Konuloglu expressed the belief that "the UN parameters should be pushed along the lines of having the two equal peoples in Cyprus live under a federal republic."

[08] Cetin stresses importance of continuation of "TRNC" as independent "state"

Taking the podium, Cetin threatened that Cyprus will be divided should the Cyprus Government join the EU. Explaining the importance of the continuation of the "TRNC" as an independent "state", Cetin stressed that the Turkish-Greek balance should be safeguarded at all costs. Calling on the Greek Cypriot side to sit at the negotiation table with the Turkish Cypriot side, "which is their equal and sovereign", as he put it, Cetin urged the concerned sides to realize these facts.

Dervis Eroglu and Taner Etkin made short speeches on behalf of the National Unity Party and the Democratic party, respectively.

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Republican Turkish Party "Assembly Group" leader, said that it was a mistake for the EU to exclude Turkey and called: "Behaviour that will turn the United Nations against us should be avoided". Explaining that they are in favour that the talks be held on the UN basis, Soyer added they sought to bolster the special relations and ties with Turkey. "It is imperative to accept the fact that the Greek Cypriots cannot represent the Turkish Cypriots", Soyer said.

Communal Liberation Party leader Mustafa Akinci, in turn, said that the Greek Cypriot side is advancing toward the EU with the Luxembourg decision while Turkey is being excluded and claimed: "This is a mistake". Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side will not participate in the process launched with the Greek Cypriot side, Akinci said: "What has to be done is to develop the EU-Turkish relations, to soften the Turkish-Greek issue, and hold talks on the UN basis so that a solution can be secured in Cyprus".

[09] Gurel on impact of Cyprus events on Turkey

To a question on the EU issue, Gurel inter alia claimed: "We explained on several occasions that the accession negotiations with the Greek Cypriots would ratify the division of the island and that the EU officials should discuss with us relations between Turkey and the EU rather than the Cyprus problem. However, each time, EU officials such as (EU Commissioner for Foreign Relations) Van den Broek preferred to discuss the Cyprus problem with us.

We were told that if we take any steps on Cyprus, progress could be made in Turkish-EU relations, despite repeated statements on our part that we will not do that. Theirs was a cross-eyed view of the issue. That view stemmed from an insistence to establish fundamental links between two unrelated issues. In any event, we stated our position clearly and told them that we will not allow the establishment of any links between the two issues. Unfortunately, at that time, the United States also pursued a similar policy. It is true that previous Turkish governments may have given the wrong impression to the EU on this issue, but Turkey has not made any verbal or written commitments. I would like to underscore that."

To a question on the United States' policy on Cyprus, he said: "Fundamentally, we are in favour of the United States continuing its efforts on Cyprus, because the United States can see Turkey and the Cyprus in a much broader framework. We have observed with satisfaction that, especially recently, they have adopted a much more realistic posture. In contrast, the Europeans continue to set policies in a very inept manner. For example, the British Foreign Secretary said in a statement in his capacity as the term president of the EU that Turkey consented to the start of accession talks between the Greek Cypriot sector and the EU during the process that led to its customs union with the EU. You know well that Britain is a nation with a serious foreign policy tradition and is known for keeping records and acting only after studying issues in great depth. When viewed in that framework, the British Foreign Secretary's statement sounds very inept."

To a question on Britain's policy on Cyprus, Gurel claimed: "A country like Britain, which is thousands of kilometers away from the island, has sovereign bases there.

Although Britain is not as powerful as it was in the 19th century, it tries to have a say in certain regions of the world by influencing the United States. On Cyprus it has acted in a manner that forgets its guarantor status in accordance with the 1960 agreements. Acting contrary to agreements it has signed, Britain has supported efforts to transform the Turkish Cypriot community into a minority. While Britain considers its interest in Cyprus highly legitimate, it finds fault with the attempts of a country only 40 miles from the island to protect people it considers its own kin and to exercise rights it derives from international agreements. It is thus implying that it does not consider these issues important. It is impossible to comprehend such a posture. I hope that Britain will act in a manner that becomes it and that this problem does not affect our bilateral ties. Ultimately Britain is our NATO ally and appears to be a country that understands our perspective of the EU better than other (European nations)".

Asked whether it is possible to levy certain small taxes in Turkey to provide a continuous resource for the development of the pseudostate, he said: "The figures we have mentioned are in reality not large sums for Turkey. For example, the population of the TRNC is 180,000, compared to more than 200,000 in our province of Karaman. In other words, as you suggest, it is possible to establish certain funds that would not make people cringe in Turkey. All such efforts must be directed at eliminating unemployment, which is widespread among adults in the TRNC.

Another objective of our policy is to remove any uncertainties about the Cyprus issue. Until now, any Turkish businessman who wanted to invest in Cyprus was uneasy about the political uncertainty. We have to instill the necessary confidence in them. It would be wrong to think that only our government will do these things. No matter what government comes to office in Turkey, it will not allow the Turkish Cypriots to become a minority or developments that would lead to their assimilation in a larger structure or to distancing the island from itself. This is what the Europeans need to understand."

[10] Political parties support "Partnership Council" statement

In a statement he issued DP Secretary General Onur Borman said that the said declaration, which the DP supports, is one that forges closer cooperation and solidarity in the fields of foreign policy, security, defense, economy, and finance. The declaration also aims at further enhancing the relations in these areas, Borman added. "The declaration demonstrates the extent of the importance motherland Turkey attaches to the security, prosperity, and sovereignty of the TRNC and its people", Borman remarked. He added that as a party that has contributed from the beginning to the establishment of this kind of cooperation and solidarity with Turkey, the DP is extremely proud of this happy conclusion.

The National Revival Party (UDP) has declared that it supports the decisions made in the wake of the "Turkish-TRNC Partnership Council" meeting in Ankara, and favours the continuation of such developments in a more effective manner.

In a statement, UDP leader Enver Emin said that unity and solidarity is needed if they are to attain a brighter future and the "TRNC" needs this now more than ever before.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[11] Columnist cites Pakistan Prime Minister's views on recognition of pseudostate

Friendships manifest themselves in difficult days.

Although I am aware that such a sentiment carries the risk of locking relations to a single issue, I asked the following in the written questions I sent to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan:

`Why does Pakistan still not recognize the TRNC?'

The Pakistani Prime Minister answered this direct question with the following reply, which I reproduce without changing even the punctuation:

`Pakistan has always supported the cause of its Turkish Cypriot brethren. This support has been maintained in bilateral relations as well as on international platforms.

As you know, Pakistan has supported the UN Secretary General's goodwill mission in Cyprus from the very outset. It has supported a bizonal and bicommunal federal solution in Cyprus based on equal sovereignty. Although at a standstill now, the UN Process is not yet deadlocked. We hope that this process will lead to a lasting and just solution that will be acceptable to both sides. We especially hope that such a solution will completely satisfy the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Turkish Cypriot people'.

After noting Namaz Sharif's reply, I asked another question:

`Last year you opened an honorary consulate in the Greek Cypriot sector. Are you planning to open a similar one in the TRNC?'

The Prime Minister simply noted the special privileges his country grants to the TRNC:

`Pakistan is one of four nations that have allowed the opening of North Cyprus Trade and Tourism Mission offices in their territories. This office has been operating in Islamabad since 1987 and has provided a valuable link between the two sides'.

As can be deduced from Nawaz Sharif's answers, Pakistan's support does not go beyond its recognition of equal sovereignty and its permission for the presence of a trade and tourism office that flies the TRNC flag.

Friends must be understood. They have to respect certain balances while struggling with their own problems. They want to avoid creating new problems for themselves.

That is why, for now, not only Pakistan but even Azerbaijan are reluctant to take an explicit stance on the TRNC.

To gain recognition for the TRNC as a state we need to persuade.

That is where the difficulty lies.

According to reports from Nicosia yesterday, although the TRNC may not be recognized as a state in the near future, it appears that its equal sovereignty may be ceded.

I have no doubt that as soon as that light is turned on our friends will say what we want to hear in louder voices."

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

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