Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-07-30

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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. 136/98 -- 30.7.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] CTP criticizes ``Partnership Council´s'' working methods.

[02] Turkey adopts accords raising economic ties with pseudostate.

[03] Mumtaz Soysal resigns from DSP.

[04] Demirel, Yilmaz, Cem comment on Turkey´s EU membership.

[05] Denktash mobilizes forces to silence ``Avrupa''.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Cyprus seen as one of issues that could create a problem between Turkey and the USA.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] CTP criticizes ``Partnership Council´s'' working methods

In a written statement that he issued, CTP Secretary General Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the working methods of the PC are far from being productive, adding that ``the PC meetings should be held in line with the seriousness of a state and all the participants should be informed in advance of the issues to be discussed''. Noting that the CTP does not accept the stand of viewing ``deputies'' and political parties as ``consenting civil servants'', Soyer said that some of the articles of the PC envisaging the development of bilateral economic relations are not sufficiently clear and that they do not provide a sound solution to the existing problems. Pointing out that there are no concrete proposals on how to close the $250 million trade gap, which is against the pseudostate, Soyer charged that the marketing problem of the pseudostate remains unresolved. Pointing out that the decision on the incentives that will enable the easy transfer to Turkey of the financial and intellectual resources of Turkish Cypriot labour and capital forces, Soyer said that the Turkish Cypriots should be the sole authority on the distribution of the incentive loans. Soyer noted that while the PC had nothing concrete to say on the roaming (last word in English) system in the field of telecommunications, it set binding goals in the field of higher education. Soyer charged that so-called prime minister Dervis Eroglu, who had earlier noted the mistake on the issue, was once again forced to face the public having, inadequately, come to terms with this mistake.

[02] Turkey adopts accords raising economic ties with pseudostate

[03] Mumtaz Soysal resigns from DSP

Addressing the DSP group meeting, Soysal announced his resignation. With his resignation, the DSP seats in the Assembly has decreased to 61.

[04] Demirel, Yilmaz, Cem comment on Turkey´s EU membership

Demirel received the EDF delegation at the Cankaya Mansion last Tuesday. At the meeting, Demirel said that EU membership is still on Turkey´s agenda. He noted that through modernization to be achieved in all fields Turkey will have attained a de facto membership, adding that membership in form will become a simple procedure.

The EDF Delegation was also received by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. At the meeting, Yilmaz said that the Luxembourg and Cardiff Summits showed that Turkish-EU relations will require a more prolonged and arduous transition period and that there is a lot of work to be done on the issue.

``I believe that in time the political obstacles standing between Turkey and the EU will lose their importance because the superiority of Western culture, and European culture which is the essence of Western culture, is its ability to realize its mistakes and to be open to self criticism and to a civilized discussion. We have told the EU that it has committed a mistake with regards to Turkey. The reaction we are currently receiving shows us that this mistake has, to a large extent, been acknowledged. Once they have realized the mistake they have committed the path to its rectification will be opened. The important issue is for us to deal with it rationally and without chauvinism and to explain our stand through just and accurate arguments at the appropriate platfoms,'' Yilmaz said.

The delegation called on Foreign Minister Ismail Cem as well. At the meeting, Cem said that ``the right policies implemented with regards to Turkey´s EU membership have begun to bear fruit'', adding that positive developments have been achieved. Cem added that EU commission official Van Den Broek sent him a letter that day making an official request from Turkey on a situation report which the candidate countries are expected to prepare. He continued: ``I got the impression that we have placed our relations with the EU within a rational framework''.

[05] Denktash mobilizes forces to silence ``Avrupa''

During the meeting the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot ``Fighters Association'', Halil Pasha, made a short speech and presented a bouquet of carnations bearing a note saying ``we are following''. He then read a written message, in which with a delicate wording AVRUPA was ``praised'' for the work it renders to the community, saying that they are surprised and envious of AVRUPA´s mission. ``With this feeling, being democratic and mass organizations, we present these flowers to you. We are closely and carefully following you, we will continue to follow you''.

Present at the meeting were journalists and writers from AVRUPA Hurrem Tulga, Aziz Ener, Hasan Taksin and Togul Baytaroglu.

Hurrem Tulga commenting on the meeting under the title ``Unofficial memorandum'' says: ``During the meeting in essence the made us as understand that `your reports are against Turkey, they are also destroying national morale, and in fact you are playing the role of a catalyst on this issue´… As I said, this is my interpretation'' Tulga stresses.

(MY)

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] Cyprus seen as one of issues that could create a problem between Turkey and the USA

According to Kohen, a Congress official who closely follows developments in Turkey said that ``obstacles'' exist on the road to friendship, while a former diplomat said that the future of the relations between Turkey and the United States will be determined ``not only by security concerns but also by other criteria, like human rights''. And Kohen continues: ``Ankara and Washington have drawn up new strategies in accordance with their common interests and the changing conditions in the region and beyond. Within that context they have tried to cooperate in accordance with the concept of `partnership´ in various fields, from the struggle against terrorism to the realization of projects for the construction of oil pipelines.

Nevertheless, negative factors have cast a shadow over positive developments.

What are the factors?

Human rights is the main problem. It is an important issue for US foreign policy. It is also important for the US Government and Congress. Washington is gradually becoming more sensitive about the human rights problem in Turkey. The US officials we met, including congressmen, informed us that they were encouraged by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz´s promise in Washington in December 1997 that measures will be taken against human rights violations. However, they asserted that they were disappointed by his failure to fulfill his promise. (The decision to send Esber Yagmurdereli and Rahmi Duran to prison had a very negative effect on them).

The problem of human rights has been linked with the problem in southeastern Turkey. That forced Congress and the US Government to take a stand on the matter. For example, the administration banned the sale of various types of arms to Turkey. It would not allow US firms to sell the arms. According to the information that was given to us, it will maintain its approach if Turkey does not change its policy.

The US officials are aware that the restriction on the sale of arms will create a serious problem between the two countries. However, as a former defense official said: `The United States is no longer in a position to sacrifice human rights for its security interests…´

The official circles `carefully avoid making a direct reference to the Kurdish problem and condemn the Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK) at every opportunity´. Nevertheless, Dana Bauer, a US State Department official responsible for Turkey´s geographical region, recently said that Turkey must consider the problem´s `economic, social, and political´ aspects and noted that it is time for Ankara to see the difference between the PKK and the `ethnic Kurdish people´.

In other words, the United States agrees with Turkey´s approach to terrorism. It supports Ankara´s struggle against the terrorist activities. However, it maintains its views on human rights, democracy, and the Kurdish people´s situation. That approach has created a difference of views between the two countries on various issues (such as matters related to the sale of arms to Turkey).

Cyprus is another important issue that could create a problem between the two countries. It might be described as an irritating problem. The situation is not negative. Washington is still trying to find a solution. Meanwhile, its approach to the delivery of the S-300 missiles to south Cyprus is in Ankara´s favour.

However, Washington is seriously worried about what might happen during the next few months. It feels uneasy about Turkey´s reaction to the deployment of the S-300 missiles in south Cyprus. Officials say a military action would be very serious, which could force the United States to react. An analyst said that `November will be a very critical month´ and noted that Turkey´s `making firm statements´ on the missile problem and the talks between the EU and south Cyprus on accession will certainly cast a shadow over the rapprochement between Washington and Ankara.

What should also be considered along with that is the possibility of the Greek lobby creating an uproar (with the support of all the other anti- Turkish lobbies). The recent war of words between the United States and Greece forced the Greek lobby to remain silent and inactive. But a strong Turkish reaction would mean it could return to the stage.''

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

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