Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-05-13

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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. 83/98 -- 13.5.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: "Hastening will give trump card to other side".

[02] Sezgin comments on issues with Greece, Cyprus' WEU membership.

[03] Denktash: "Cyprus issue is the problem of the Turkish people."

[04] Akin Birdal critically injured in assassination attempt.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Holbrooke's mission in Cyprus, Turkey's approach viewed.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash: "Hastening will give trump card to other side"

Denktash, who will participate at a seminar and inaugurate an exhibition of photographs taken by him, will depart from Turkey on 19 May.

[02] Sezgin comments on issues with Greece, Cyprus' WEU membership

Explaining that he had also responded to the Greek foreign minister's statements on the application of the Cyprus Government to the WEU, Sezgin claimed: "The Greek Cypriot Administration does not represent the whole of Cyprus and the TRNC, not at all".

Replying to a question, Sezgin said he did not hold a bilateral meeting with his Greek counterpart.

[03] Denktash: "Cyprus issue is the problem of the Turkish people"

Addressing a panel dissuasion in Istanbul on the Cyprus issue, Denktash said "today, I come here to shout against injustice", alleging that Hans van den Broek, the EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, can claim that there is a Turkish occupation in Cyprus but that this is "an intentional attack requiring opposition and uprising of the Turkish population. This is an attack made to cover a shame. Their shame is the injustice made against Turkey."

Denktash claimed van den Broek's words which identified Turkish soldiers as occupiers in Cyprus are "unfair and cruel".

He blamed the Christian and Islamic countries with turning their backs against the Turkish Cypriots, and "disregarding the facts", hiding behind the excuse that "the UN decision tells this."

Denktash stated that no compromise can be reached in case both sides are not treated equally, adding that Greek Cypriots are being told that "you are the government of Cyprus" and because of that Greek Cypriots can easily say that "Cyprus problem is an occupation problem. Turkey should leave the island. Turkish soldiers should leave the island." He pointed out that the US also said that if Turkish soldiers leave the island, then the Cyprus problem is solved. "Of course, it is solved, because there will be no Turkish soldiers in the island. There will be no claim for the strategic rights of Turkey in the island and in the region, the Greek islands will add the last chain to themselves, and all our ports in the south will be under the domination of Greek islands. We are opposing to these, and saying that `we are not playing this game, anymore we should play this game by its rules.' The rules of the game is the equality, and balance, the balance between Turkey and Greece. It is the balance between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots within the island. First you should establish this balance so that the negotiations could have a meaning," he claimed.

Denktash said: "What I tell the world is this: The Cyprus problem is not the problem of the Cyprus island. The Cyprus problem is the problem of attaching the last chain around Turkey by Greece's taking Cyprus. Turkey said `no' to this since the beginning. Do not be mistaken by seeing the Cyprus problem as the problem of Turkish Cypriots, as the problem of 200, 000 people."

Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz also sent a message to the panel discussion and said "the solution of the Cyprus question could only be provided basing on the equality of the two communities and installation of the security of the Cypriot people."

Yilmaz claimed that "the main goal of Turkey is to protect the legal rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people and provide maintenance of the required conditions for the Turkish Cypriot people to live in tranquility and peace, and acceptance of the equal status". Yilmaz stressed that a bi- zonal and bi-communal structure, equal sovereignty, influential and active Turkish guarantee are the indispensable principles of a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[04] Akin Birdal critically injured in assassination attempt

Birdal was shot six times in the chest, shoulder and legs and is said to be in a critical condition.

The assassination attempt was carried out by two gunmen who entered Birdal's office on the pretext they had a meeting with him.

(MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[05] Holbrooke's mission in Cyprus, Turkey's approach viewed

"The support that the United States gave to the EU plan was probably based on two hypotheses, the first of which was the conviction that the process for Turkey becoming a member of the organization would be maintained in parallel with the island's accession. The second was the conviction that Turkey would not be able to adopt a policy that would totally exclude the EU, which it most eagerly wanted to join.

All this was based on wrong conclusions. It was obvious that the EU approach was not in favour of Turkey's full accession. Furthermore, maintaining the process for Turkey's accession after agreeing to uphold the Greek Cypriot side's application would be difficult. The two initiatives would clash, not complement each other.

The EU failed to realize how important Cyprus was for Turkey. It also failed to realize that Ankara would probably not agree to make concessions on the island even if the organization quickly supported Turkey's accession.

Undoubtedly, Turkey agreeing to make concessions can be considered only some time after it becomes a part of the organization.

The problem in Northern Ireland has been frequently discussed as an example. However, it must be noted that steps have been taken to resolve it many years after Britain joined the EU.

Holbrooke blamed the EU when he concluded his shuttle diplomacy in Cyprus. He said that the Clerides administration cannot represent north Cyprus. This was a positive development that was expected by the Turkish Cypriot side for a long time.

Undoubtedly, it will pave the way for a solution that will provide for the establishment of two states on the island," Unal claims and adds:

"The view that the EU involvement in the Cyprus problem because of Greece's pressure will not yield a result is gradually gaining strength in the organization. Considering all this, it seems logical to believe that either an effort will be made to find a solution that will provide for the establishment of two states in Cyprus after the Greek Cypriots join the EU or the process for the Greek Cypriot side's accession will be suspended and initiatives will be made to step up the establishment of two states on the island. The Greek Cypriots will facilitate the realization of the second alternative by deploying the S-300 missiles they acquired from Russia.

The Turkish side can achieve its objectives if Turkey strengthens its strategic cooperation with the United States.

Turkey is important for Washington because of Iraq. So, Ankara must see to it that the basic principles of its approach on Iraq comply with the US policy. Furthermore, it must perseveringly maintain its cooperation with Israel.

Undoubtedly, Ankara will gain significant ground in the disputes between Turkey and Greece if it can support its maneuvers in foreign policy with stability in domestic politics."

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

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