Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-07-01

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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. 115/98 -- 1.7.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktash comments on UNSC Cyprus Resolutions.

[02] Demirel to visit pseudostate with large team on 20 July.

[03] Gen. Bir on deployment of S-300´s.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Dentkash comments on UNSC Cyprus Resolutions

We have voiced our opposition at every opportunity and asked that such a mistake not be made. We said that the two sides should approach each other of their own will. It is inconceivable that our opinion is asked and permission sought with regard to this resolution, about which we have already voiced our opposition. Whose permission are they seeking? Our community´s. We say the same thing every time: We do not accept this resolution, but UNFICYP can proceed with its duties as our guest. This time, however, the launching of the EU process and Cleridies´confession to me and Holbrooke that he is not the government of the Turkish Cypriots; his telling me that nobody can interfere in government affairs when he decided to deploy Russian missiles, granted bases to Greece, signed the joint defense doctrine with Greece, and brought over mercenaries from Greece; and his unilateral application to the EU naturally forced us to make new adjustments on certain issues and underline the realities. Consequently, we were obliged to say that we can only engage in state-to-state talks. We were obliged to take the necessary measures because the so-called government, which is not in reality a government and is acting under a false title, assumed that it has the right to have Cyprus join up with Greece while intercommunal talks between the two communities were under way.

For this reason, UNFICYP can remain here within the framework of our government´s decisions, endorsement, and will. The cooperation can continue only within the framework of the arrangements to be adopted by our government. There are claims that UNFICYP´s freedom of movement in the north is being restricted. Our response is that the necessary arrangements can be made and freedom granted in the north if the term government is removed from the resolution. They did not feel compelled to do so. Consequently, we will do whatever is necessary.''

And Denktash added claiming:

``The sovereignty of Cyprus rests on the sovereignty of two peoples. One people alone cannot represent the whole of this sovereignty. The independence of Cyprus, which is a joint independence, emerged in the wake of the struggle which the Turkish Cypriots waged and continue to wage against enosis. One partner alone cannot represent this independence. The territorial integrity of Cyprus consists of the territories of the two peoples. The Greek Cypriots cannot assume ownership over this territorial integrity under the fake title of the Cyprus Government. An exchange of population took place in Cyprus with the assistance of the United Nations. Bizonality is essential. Two sovereign zones are essential. All these are being forgotten, and we, in turn, are being called as two communities to proceed with the talks as though an agreement had been reached on an established formula.

The UNSC is intentionally turning a blind eye to the Cyprus realities. In this way, it is encouraging the Greek Cypriots in their mistaken armament efforts, their deployment of missiles, and it is escalating the situation to a crisis . It is doing a bad thing to Cyprus. It has not extended a helping hand to Cyprus despite the embargo imposed on the Turkish Cypriots for the past 35 years. Instead, it extended support to the Greek Cypriot side, which continues its inhuman behaviour and embargoes.

This resolution constitutes a message to the Greek Cypriot side. It shows Clerides, who constantly and cunningly proposes a withdrawal of soldiers, the right way; that this issue can be discussed only within the framework of a Cyprus solution. It would have been much better and more correct, however, to say that this issue should be discussed within the framework of the guarantee system, because the Greek Cypriot efforts are aimed at changing the guarantee system and eliminating Turkey´s rights. Naturally, no Turk can or will accept such a thing. Moreover, the United Nations did not feel the need to include even those parameters that it claims to support and that provide for the continuation of the guarantee system without any changes in order to open the eyes of the Greek Cypriots.

We are called on to pursue the dialogue between us. Proceeding with the dialogue depends on equality. Nothing can be achieved if one of the equal sides at the negotiations table is considered the government of the other when they are not at the table.'' And he continued his claim: ``With what dialogue are we expected to proceed? There are no parameters left. Let the parameters be found at first. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is the main element within these parameters. This is and will remain unchanged. There are claims that Denktash is rigid and that Denktash´rigidity puts obstacles in the path of the negotiations. The obstacles are posed by those who, for 35 years, have claimed that they are the Cyprus Government, using lies, deception, and bloodshed. This is the reason why the talks are not continuing.

Mr. Cordovez will meet with TRNC President Rauf Dentkash when he arrives in Cyprus. He will be forced to accept this fact even if he tells himself that he only met with the Turkish Cypriot leader, because I will meet with him as the president of the TRNC and not as the leader of a community. I repeat that we are hereby putting a full stop to the ploy of eliminating the rights, freedom, and sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots by saying that there is equality in the intercommunal talks. Nobody will play this ploy again. Let them (?describe) equality. Let them present those parameters that have to be discussed between the two sides. Let us see what these parameters consist of. Let us see what the Greek Cypriots accept. Let us see what kind of parameters those who do not hesitate to declare to the world that Cyprus is Greek will put on the table. We will then decide whether to start the dialogue.''

And Denktash concluded: ``There is a very interesting paragraph in the UNSC resolution. I expressed my amazement at this paragraph the other day. It says that we are called upon to continue the intercommunal talks on the basis of what interests the United Nations and others. What is the meaning of this? This is tantamount to intervening in our internal affairs. Our government adopted a decision on a freeze. To appeal to this or that person, in complete disregard for a country´s decision on a freeze, and encourage them to engage in talks without taking into consideration the government is tantamount to intervening in internal affairs. This is unacceptable in politics. Anybody who accepts this intervention and attends these talks despite the government´s policies can represent only himself. This will not serve anything. We would have believed their impartiality, however, if they had included in the resolution the reasons for the freeze. Our decision was made in order to lift the embargoes, stop the enmity, and have the people talk to each other. Our government´s decision to freeze was made so that the 35-year-old embargo would be lifted.

A couple of people in our midst, however, are causing great harm by not considering our decision and by saying that they will engage in talks as though our decision has no importance and we have no message to give to the world. Those who cause this harm are already known to the people. Do those who extend the invitation to the talks, however, recognize the extent of the harm they are causing? They are casting doubts on their credibility, trustworthiness, and friendship. They are underlining their enmity. They are demonstrating that they will continue relentlessly on their path of not taking the Turkish Cypriots into consideration. This is not an appropriate step to take in terms of helping us and Cyprus. On the contrary, it is proof that they will not be of any help.

This is what we seek to convey. The UNSC has helped the Cyprus issue remain unresolved for 35 years by turning a blind eye to the Cyprus realities. It has still not learned a lesson and is putting the blame on others. It has made a tradition of accusing the Turkish Cypriots, who are doing nothing other than seeking their rights. This is very regrettable. It will not make us change our policies, however, because we are not and will never be second-class citizens in Cyprus. We will defend the TRNC to the end.''

[02] Demirel to visit pseudostate with large team on 20 July

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, National Defense Minister Ismet Sezgin, State Ministers Husamettin Ozkan and Sukru Sina Gurel, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Chairman of Turkish Parliament Foreign Relations Commission Murat Karayalcin, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Cevik Bir, Head of the Cyprus-Greek Department at the General Staff Adm. Mustafa Ozbey, and numerous high-ranking officers, diplomats, and officials will make up the delegation, which is making plans to land in the occupied area on 20 July, the anniversary of the Turkish invasion.

This Turkish landing will be the biggest visit ever from Turkey to Cyprus.

The private plane to carry Demirel and the Turkish Airlines planes to carry the delegation will be escorted by armed Turkish Air Force jets ``against a possible Greek harassment,'' illegal BRTK claims.

During the visit the message will be conveyed that ``Turkey will always be on the side of the Turkish people on the island.'' It will also be stressed that Ankara will never make concessions over its strategic interests in Cyprus and East Mediterranean.

[03] Gen. Bir on deployment of S-300´s

General Cevik Bir, deputy chief of the general staff, addressing the meeting, said that preserving peace requires more efforts than waging war. He added that peace can be achieved through dialogue, cooperation, mutual respect, and goodwill. Pointing out that Turkey´s importance in the region stretching from southern Europe to Central Asia cannot be disputed, Gen. Bir said that this situation places the burden of additional responsibilities on Turkey when it comes to expanding peace and stability to regions where they are required.

According to Anatolia Agency (29:11 hours, 29.6.98) on the issue of the deployment of the S-300 missiles in Cyprus, Gen. Bir noted: ``International measures are being taken. You will see that the S-300´s will not come to Cyprus''.

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

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